In August of 1998, Dr. Arpad Pusztai of the Rowett Research Institute in Aberdeen appeared in a documentary on British TV to warn about the inadequate testing of genetically modified (GM) foods, nicknamed Frankenstein food. Pusztai claimed to have carried out experiments showing that feeding genetically engineered potatoes to young rats suppresses their immune responses and harms their growth and development. Pusztai's remarks sparked a debate that is raging throughout Europe today.

For a criticism of Pusztai's report, see New Scientist: Living in a GM World. This site also offers articles that explain the pros and cons of GM food.

Here's an article speculating why Americans aren't involved in the GM food controversy: Why Americans Are Swallowing Genetically Altered Food.

Learn about the Problem

How do scientists genetically modify the food? You can explore the process in the Biology Gateways activity: Genetic Engineering. The debate about GM food is widespread across the World Wide Web. Check out the following sites.

• Monsanto UK: Monsanto is a major supplier of seeds to farmers. This company, which is involved in genetically modifying seeds, believes that GM technologies can improve the world food supply: "We're excited about the potential for genetically modified food to contribute to a better environment and a sustainable, plentiful, and healthy food supply. We recognise, however, that many consumers have genuine concerns about food biotechnology and its impact on their families." Read what else they have to say in favor of the practice.
  

Think about the Problem

• At present there is no scientific evidence that GM foods are dangerous to humans.
  
• Are you familiar with other human innovations concerning the world food supply?
  What were the initial expectations and fears surrounding these innovations?
  Did the innovations turn out to be positive or negative for human health? for the environment in general?
  
• If you knew that the salad in front of you contained genetically modified tomatoes, would you eat it? Explain your answer.

For the Teacher: Extending the Discussion

Another danger to our food supply is the effect of chemical pesticides used on the crops. Advanced students who want to study this angle can work the Biology Explorer activity: Chemical Mutagens.

The US Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition offers an eight-lesson unit on Food Risks: Perception vs. Reality, which presents high school students with food safety information and encourages critical thinking skills.

If you want to read more about GM food and other effects of technology on our food supply, check out these Web sites:

• Campaign on Food Safety: a non-profit, public interest organization dedicated to a healthy, safe, and sustainable system of food production
  
• Biotechnology Knowledge Centre: this site - sponsored by Monsanto - offers a collection of news items, technical reports, fact sheets and speeches concerning food biotechnology.
  
• The International Center for Technology Assessment - The Center for Food Safety: a non-profit, bi-partisan organization committed to providing assessments and analyses of technological impacts on society, including the food supply.