There should be long term monitoring of the use of GMO crops for environmental concerns, and this can be accomplished with cooperation between seed companies and farmers. It will be very difficult to monitor long-term health effects of genetically modified foods because every person already eats so many different foods, many of them are known to have health risks exceeding any potential risks posed by foods which contain components made from genetically modified organisms. For example, many everyday traditional products such as grilled fish and meat, beverages, sauces, contain known carcinogens, but these products are not tested. However, decisions should be made on a case by case basis considering international practices and recommendations of Codex Alimentarius. There is a need for careful assessment of new potential allergens in food, which is a reason for including labels on food that has any such component at allergic level.
Food safety derives from the ethical principle of do no harm.
We welcome the decision of MAFF that proposes to introduce a guidelines and policy on the sale of food made from GMOs and through recombinant DNA technology, as a starting point to promote more transparent systems. We wish to make some comments specifically relating to these guidelines. We consumers should have access to all products in our community even though individual supermarkets may stop selling certain products, to exercise market choice. The special handling of different seeds has a precedent in organic agriculture, and in different varieties. However like all special handling, it will increase costs.