# Myths and Realities about Genetically Modified Food: A Risk-Benefit Analysis
## 3 Myths and Realities of GM Crops: Risk Assessment
### Toxicological Studies  
As they have been designed to identify newly expressed chemicals, toxicological and allergenicity studies can be simultaneously carried out [8]. Allergenic reactions can induce severe symptoms, but only in some people. Toxicity is predictable and repeatable as it affects the vast majority of people with only modest susceptibility variances [81]. Toxicological works are conducted to detect unintended hazardous effects [8]. Toxicity can occur not only when the transgene encodes a toxin but also when it poses an unexpected toxic effect, e.g., gene repression or promotes toxin overexpression [82]. All toxicity evaluations should be done for GM crops on a case-by-case basis and must bear in mind the toxicological profile of newly introduced chemicals [83]. Animal studies are often conducted to establish a specific substance's toxicity. By way of example, an in vivo animal study has been conducted to evaluate the safety of transgenic rice EH rich in b-carotene. Two experimental groups of rats were established to measure distinct parameters: anatomy, growth, or serum chemistry indicators. The obtained results showed that GM rice was as nutritious as non-GM rice, and unintended effects were lacking [84]. New methodologies such as high-throughput \"omics\" profiling techniques, which include transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics, have been reported for identifying toxicants in GM crops [8; 85]. For example, the omics approaches in the GM field have been employed in several research works into fungi and their secondary metabolites. Mycotoxins are the substances generated by crop-related fungi, and they pose a serious risk. GM maize resistant to insect pests contained a lower mycotoxin concentration than non-GM maize. As both fungus spore migration and colonization can be assisted by insect harm, it has been postulated that the observed drop in mycotoxins could be attributed to pest reduction in GM maize [8]. Glyphosate-resistant GM plants are one of the most controversial available biotech crops. The long-term toxicity of both Roundup herbicide and glyphosate-tolerant GM maize NK603 was the basis of contentious research published in 2012. The G-TwYST research collaboration assessed glyphosate-resistant genetically modified maize NK603 for toxicity and carcinogenicity. It was financed by the European Commission. This research reported no negative consequences from feeding the NK603 maize grown with or without Roundup for up to 2 years. The EU reaffirmed its approval for consuming GM maize designed for resistance to Roundup in 2019. This contradicted some studies into the short- and long-term toxicological effects of the same GMO or pesticide Roundup. Glyphosate is presently \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c} \hline \hline
**Method** & **Basis** \\ \hline Amino acid sequence homology & A bioinformatic approach run to establish if a new protein is closely related to a known allergen. However, these approaches cannot predict if a new protein will become an allergy, so other methods might be required [78; 79]. \\ \hline In vitro digestibility tests & It provides information about a new protein’s susceptibility to digestion. The in vitroepsin resistance assay is the most widespread protein digestion test [78]. \\ \hline Serum screening and immunoassay assays & Methods to assess endogenous allergens that employ human sera from people with relevant allergies. Despite these tests being the present gold standard for the in vitro detection and characterization of allergenic proteins, their utility in GM feed safety assessments is limited [8; 80]. \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 2: Some of the most popular methods for determining allergenicity. authorized to be employed in the EU until 15 December 2022. The Glyphosate Assessment Group (AGG) has reviewed all the data supplied by those companies that seek renewed authorization. Consultations on the report will be held by the EFSA and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).