Emily Harvey

Howard High School

2018
Primary Research Analysis Paper

The relationship between genetically modified crops and cancer has been bitterly debated

in the scientific community for years. The debate increased after Gilles-Éric Séralini released a

controversial study on the issue. After his report was met with public backlash, the study

retracted, scientists began to take more interest in the issue. The data gathered by several leading

scientists supports a general consensus regarding genetically modified crops and cancer. The

general consensus is that the standards surrounding genetically modified crops should be re-

investigated and updated in order to guarantee the safety of consumers.

Many scientific studies have chosen to focus on the allergenicity of genetically modified

crops, considering that a more pressing concern than the link to cancer. Molecular Profiles: A

New Tool to Substantiate Serum Banks for Evaluation of Potential Allergenicity of GMO found,

in 2008, that genetically modified crops are no more allergenic than other foods. However, there

is an extra danger when combining two different plant genomes. It is possible that a normally

safe plant to consume could be combined with a plant that would trigger an allergic reaction in

the consumer. A more recent study from 2017, Case Studies on Genetically Modified Organisms

(GMOs): Potential Risk Scenarios and Associated Health Indicators, focused on determining the

effect of consuming genetically modified crops. The goal of the study was to determine if it was

safe to grow and sell genetically modified crops and animal feed. The researchers found that

there were no allergic reactions found in GM feed in comparison to non GM feed. The

researchers also discovered that sowing GM crops results in more sellable produce because they

aren’t susceptible to fungal toxins or insects, and they will not affect the consumer anymore than

non-GM foods.
 One recent study, Impact on Environment, Ecosystem, Diversity and Health from

Culturing and Using GMOs as Feed and Food, found genetically modified crops to have long

term effects on consumers, which is a concern. Although the study confirmed that GM crops are

not toxic enough to harm the human body, the current toxicity assessment should be revised to

account for long-term effects not taken into account by the current protocol. The study also

elaborated upon the 2008 research paper, Edible Safety Requirements and Assessment Standards

for Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms, which found that the original assessment that

genetically modified crops pose no recognizable threat was correct, but updating edible safety

requirements would be recommended.

Overall, these primary sources add to the secondary research by providing proven

scientific claims to the theories. A more definite conclusion can be made on the safety of

genetically modified crops in regards to causing cancer because of these studies. It appears that

all of the researchers agreed that genetically modified crops were not any more likely to cause

cancer than any organic or non-genetically modified crop. However, further research is necessary

on the subject because the controversy only continues to grow.

Works Cited

“Impact on Environment, Ecosystem, Diversity and Health from Culturing and Using GMOs as

Feed and Food.” Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics, Elsevier, 20 June 2017.
“RETRACTED: Long Term Toxicity of a Roundup Herbicide and a Roundup-Tolerant

Genetically Modified Maize.” Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics, Elsevier,

19 Sept. 2012.

“Molecular Profiles: A New Tool to Substantiate Serum Banks for Evaluation of Potential

Allergenicity of GMO.” Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics, Elsevier, 30 July

2008.

“Case Studies on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Potential Risk Scenarios and

Associated Health Indicators.” Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics, Elsevier,

30 Aug. 2017.

“Edible Safety Requirements and Assessment Standards for Agricultural Genetically Modified

Organisms.” Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics, Elsevier, 12 Jan. 2008.pl