Engineers design plants that use genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to be tougher, more nutritious or taste better. However, people are worried about their safety, and there is a lot of discussion about the pros and cons of using GMOs.

轉基因工程設計師設計新品種的植物，這些植物的大多器官與之前的相比更加堅韌，更加的營養(yǎng)富足，有更好的口感。然而人們更關心轉基因植物的安全性問題，一直以來關于轉基因食物的紛爭不斷。

Scientists produce genetically modified foods by genetically engineering genetic engineering to obtain genetic material or DNA from another organism.

科學家將不同的物種的DNA切割混合，用基因工具改造原種

Most of the genetically modified foods currently available are plants such as fruits and vegetables.

大多數(shù)被設計的而且目前可獲得的轉基因食物是轉基因的水果和蔬菜。

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates all foods made from genetically modified plants. They must meet the same safety requirements as non-GMO foods.

在美國，美國國家食品藥品管理局對轉基因食品做出規(guī)范。轉基因食品必須滿足食品安全規(guī)范的若干條例。

GM foods could become an important tool for feeding a growing world population, especially in areas with harsh climates. However, there are concerns about potential risks.

轉基因食品對于喂養(yǎng)日益增長的人口發(fā)揮越來越大的作用，特別是在一些嚴苛環(huán)境中。盡管如此，還是普遍存在關于轉基因食品潛在風險的擔憂。

In this article, we discuss the benefits and harms of genetically modified plants, including their potential impact on human health and the environment.

在這篇文章中我們將全面討論轉基因植物的優(yōu)劣，包括它們對人類健康以及自然的潛在影響。

Advantage

優(yōu)點

Manufacturers use genetic alterations to give food products the desired properties.

轉基因領域的科學家使用DNA可局部替換的特性給予食物以預期的性狀，客觀上達到了人類的目的。

Potential benefits of genetically modified plants include:

轉基因食物的隱藏的好處：

Increased appeal to consumers, such as apples and potatoes, is less likely to bruise or turn brown

增加了消費市場的長期活力，例如轉基因蘋果和土豆更加難以變質。

Intensifier Flavor

改變了味道

Longer shelf life, thus reducing waste

增長了保質期，因此減少了浪費

Stronger resistance to viruses and other diseases, which can lead to less waste and higher food security, and higher tolerance to herbicides ,making it easier for farmers to control weeds

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增強了對植物對疾病和病毒的抵抗性，這有助于減少浪費，提高食物安全性，以及增強對除草劑的抵抗性 , 使農(nóng)民更加容易控制雜草。

Increasing nutritional value, such as golden rice, can improve the health of people who have difficulty accessing food as well

This can enable farmers to reduce their use of pesticides

Heat capacity to grow on saline soils

使得食物有更豐富的營養(yǎng)，例如黃金稻米，不僅可以改善對獲取食物有困難的人的健康，也可以減少殺蟲劑的使用，使植物在嚴苛的環(huán)境下也能生存，特別是在鹽堿地和高溫。

Growing plants that are more resistant to diseases carried by insects or viruses may lead to higher yields and more attractive products for farmers.

種植可以抵抗病蟲害，可以抵抗疾病的植物會有更高畝產(chǎn)，這對農(nóng)民來講非常具有吸引力。

All of these factors help reduce costs for consumers and ensure that more people have access to high-quality food.

所有的這些因素都可以減少成本，也可以確保更多人可以獲得高質量農(nóng)產(chǎn)品。

Shortcoming

缺點

Genetically modified foods are a relatively new practice, meaning the long-term impact on safety is unclear.

多數(shù)轉基因食品是相對新的嘗試，這意味著長期影響尚不清楚。

Many concerns about shortcomings are related to human health. Scientists have yet to prove that genetically modified foods are harmful to health, but research is underway.

許多人都擔憂轉基因食品的缺點會有害人類健康，但科學的研究還沒有表明它們的確如此。

Anaphylaxis

過敏反應

The risk of allergic reactions from genetically modified foods is small. However, this only happens when a genetic change triggers the production of an allergen.

轉基因食品的過敏反應出現(xiàn)的概率很小。但不意味著絕對不會發(fā)生，實際上過敏只會發(fā)生在基因改變觸發(fā) 過敏原產(chǎn)生效應器

For example, when scientists combined the genes of Brazil nuts with soybeans, people with nut allergies were less likely to develop allergic reactions to products made from soybeans.

例如當科學家將巴西栗與大豆（或黃豆）的基因混合，對堅果過敏的人對這個新品種有更低的概率發(fā)作過敏

The World Health Organization (WHO) advises genetic engineers not to use DNA from allergens unless they can prove that the gene itself is not the cause of the problem.

世界衛(wèi)生組織建議基因工程師不要使用過敏源的DNA片段，除非他們能確定該基因片段不是導致過敏的原因。

Scientists have assessed the likelihood that genetically modified foods trigger human allergic reactions before the product hits the market and prevent it from entering the market if necessary.

在轉基因食品進入市場前相關人員對其進行檢查，評估導致過敏的可能性，阻止不合格產(chǎn)品進入市場等步驟是必要的。

Cancer

癌癥

There are concerns that eating genetically modified foods may increase levels of potential carcinogens in the body, leading to the development of cancer.

對于轉基因食品是否會導致人體內(nèi)潛在的致癌物質的積累，進而導致癌癥這一疑惑仍然存在擔憂。

The American Cancer Society notes that there is currently no evidence that genetically modified foods available can increase or decrease the risk of cancer.

美國癌癥協(xié)會指出：目前沒有證據(jù)表明目前市場上的轉基因食品會增加或減少癌癥的獲得性風險。也就是說目前的證據(jù)表明：轉基因食品與癌癥沒有明顯的關系。

While cancer rates in the U.S. have changed over time, there is no evidence that these changes coincide with the introduction of genetically modified foods. If there is a connection, it may take several years for the trend to emerge.

盡管癌癥在美國的比例已經(jīng)時過境遷，還是沒有證據(jù)表明這些改變是由于轉基因食品的引入而導致的。盡管可能在情理上會有聯(lián)系，但事實上從轉基因技術出現(xiàn)到現(xiàn)在還沒有水滴石穿，真相大白的趨勢。

Antibacterial properties

抗菌能力

Some GMOs contain changes that make them resistant to certain antibiotics. Theoretically, if the genes of these plants eat them, they will enter humans or animals. As a result, humans or animals may also develop antibiotic resistance.

一些轉基因食品由于部分改變使得它們有對目的細菌的抵抗性，從理論上講最后由于食物鏈的傳遞方向，這些基因片段會進入動物體和人體中。結果會使人體具有部分的抗菌能力。

The likelihood of this happening is very low, but WHO and other health agencies have developed guidelines to prevent this from happening.

這個事故發(fā)生的可能性很低，但是世界衛(wèi)生組織和其他健康機構還是出臺了準則來阻止此類事故的發(fā)生。

Changes in human genes

改變?nèi)祟惢?/span>

In 2009, some food scientists discovered that food DNA can survive all the way to the gut, and some people worry that this is the immune system.

在2009年，一些食物科學家發(fā)現(xiàn)食物中的DNA會幸存在人類的腸道之中，這導致了一些人擔憂這會對免疫系統(tǒng)造成影響。

Some have also expressed concern that eating genetically modified foods could lead to genetic changes in humans. However, most of the DNA in food — whether GMO or not — is either destroyed by cooking or broken down before reaching the large intestine.

一些人也表明擔憂對食用轉基因食物是否會改變?nèi)梭w基因組這一問題。

然而大多數(shù)食物中的DNA，無論是否為轉基因食物，擺在前面的無非是在烹飪中被毀壞，或是在到達大腸前被分解。（所以不加烹飪的沙拉是有風險的做法，最好是先加熱一遍，而且大部分蔬菜生吃的味道并不太好，而且無法避免的會有雜菌，病毒等致病因子存留其上）

Small DNA fragments from food can and will enter the bloodstream and body organs, but there is no evidence that they have an effect on genetic material or human health.

一些來自食物的小的DNA片段可以靜入血流中，人體器官中，但沒有證據(jù)表明它們會對人的遺傳物質或是人體健康有影響。

Toxicity to body organs

對人體器官的毒性

In 2009, some researchers proposed that genetically modified foods could affect the liver, kidneys, pancreas, and reproductive systems. They have no evidence to confirm this and call for further study.

在2009年，一些研究員聲稱轉基因食物會對肝，腎臟，胰腺，生殖系統(tǒng)等產(chǎn)生影響。但美中不足的是，他們既沒有證據(jù)來確認自己的結論，也沒有可以用于進一步探索的相關資料。

Using GM crops can even reduce the risk of toxicity of certain substances, as farmers can avoid using pesticides that used to be harmful.

讓人大跌眼鏡的是，使用轉基因作物反而可以減少某些有毒物質的影響，從根本上使得農(nóng)民減少或停止使用有毒的農(nóng)藥。

Are GM foods good or bad for the environment?

轉基因食物對環(huán)境是好是壞？

Climate change and severe weather events are disrupting food production and supply. In the face of changing environmental conditions and a growing population, genetically modified foods can help maintain supply.

全球氣候變暖，極端天氣增多對食物的生產(chǎn)供應造成破壞。在面對多變的氣候和日益增多的人口，轉基因食品可以幫助維持食品供給。

advantage

this

Generatively modifying certain foods can make them easier

Storage and transportation

有特定目的的轉基因食物可以更好的儲存和運輸

be

It is not easy to waste due to disease and aging

更強的對疾病的抵抗性，更不易衰老

Yes, it

More likely, they will be located in areas with poor soil quality, and more higher nutrient content

可以被種在貧瘠的土壤，有更高的營養(yǎng)物含量

grow

A 2022 study suggests that genetically modified foods can help mitigate climate change:

一項2022年的研究表明轉基因食物可以幫助應對氣候改變

Shortcoming

缺點：

Environmental issues include:

環(huán)境問題包括：

The risk of hybridization, in which genes from genetically modified foods are transferred to wild plants and other crops

,It has a negative impact on the following aspects

Reduce insects and other species in other plant types, leading to biodiversity loss

雜交的風險，雜交種的優(yōu)勢取代會使原種的相對資源減少，客觀上打破了基因多樣性的平衡，使原進化方向和食物鏈發(fā)生改變。

Risks vary depending on local circumstances.

風險與當?shù)貧夂蛳嚓P

Identification of genetically modified foods

鑒定轉基因食物

In the United States, the FDA does not require genetically modified foods to have special labels. This is because they must meet the same safety standards as other food products and do not require additional regulations.

在美國，美國食品藥品管理局沒有要求一定給轉基因食物貼上特殊標簽。這是因為這些轉基因食品滿足安全標準，就和別的產(chǎn)品一樣不需要額外的規(guī)定。

However, if genetically modified foods are "significantly" different from conventional foods, special labels are required.

然而，如果轉基因食品與傳統(tǒng)食品顯著不同，特殊標簽也是會被要求的。

For example:

例如：

A genetically modified canola oil that contains more lauric acid than traditional canola oil is labeled "laurate canola oil".

一種轉基因菜籽油，特別之處在于比傳統(tǒng)品種有更高含量的月桂酸，所以被叫做“月桂酸菜籽油”。

A GMO soybean oil with more oleic acid than GMO-free soybean oil must be labelled as “soybean oil with a high oil content”

一種轉基因大豆油，有更多的油酸，必須被貼標簽“高含油量大豆油”A GMO soybean oil with a high content of stearidonic acid, which does not occur naturally in oil, must be labelled with “stearidonate soybean oil”

轉基因大豆油由于有高含量的硬脂二酸， 硬脂二酸不會自然出現(xiàn)在天然油脂中，所以這種大豆油必須被提前告知消費者為“硬脂二酸大豆油”。

However, the 2018 National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard states that all foods that contain genetically modified ingredients must now bear the label “derived from bioengineering” or “bioengineered.” Specific symbols indicate whether a food was produced using biotechnology.

然而在2008年國家生物工程食品標準規(guī)定所有來自轉基因技術的食品必須帶有明顯的相關標識。具體標志表明一個食品是否使用生物技術。

How to find GMO-free food

如何找到非轉基因食物

which are produced using biotechnology, and products containing bioengineered foods must bear a specific label. If a product does not have such a label, it does not contain any bio-engineered ingredients.

生產(chǎn)加工涉及生物技術必須帶有標識。如果一個產(chǎn)品沒有此類標識，那么就不會有任何生物工程的成分。

Foods that are likely to be GMOs include:

可能是轉基因食品包括：

Sugar beets, as 99.9% of sugar beets in the USA are GMO rapeseed products

甜菜，在美國99.9%的甜菜都是生物工程的產(chǎn)物。

大豆，美國95%的大豆是轉基因食品

because 95% of them in US soybeans are genetically engineered

Products are changed as 94% of soybeans in the USA

GMO corn is GMO cottonseed oil, as 92% of corn planted in the USA

棉花，94%的棉花是生物工程產(chǎn)物

Because 94% of cotton is GMOs

Many GMO plants also become ingredients in other foods, for example:

許多轉基因植物的作用就是為其他食物的制作提供原料例如：

cornstarch in soups and sauces

湯和醬汁中的玉米淀粉

corn syrup used as a sweetener

用作甜味劑的玉米糖漿

corn, rapeseed and soybean oil in mayonnaise, dressings and bread sugar

蛋黃醬、調(diào)味料和面包糖中的玉米、油菜籽和大豆油

from sugar beets

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How do scientists produce GMO foods?

科學家如何制作轉基因食品

When genetically modified, scientists add new DNA to the gene pool of an existing plant.

科學家尋求現(xiàn)有的植物的部分基因來添加到目的植株以達到相應的性狀。

To do this, the following must happen

Scientists transfer new DNA to plant cells.

為了完成轉基因的操作，科學家必須去做：

科學家將其他物種的DNA片段移植到該植株

They grow the cells in tissue cultures and a plant develops.

通過培養(yǎng)細胞達到組織層次，之后利用植物組織培養(yǎng)技術培育有相應性狀的新品種植物。

The new plant produces seeds.

新植物產(chǎn)出種子

A person grows plants from the new seeds.

人們從這些新植物產(chǎn)生的種子來種植莊稼。

The new plants will have genetic characteristics that make them more nutritious or resistant to pests, diseases or climate factors, for example.

新的植物將會有基因層次的改變，由于基因對性狀有顯著影響，會使得現(xiàn)有的植株更加有營養(yǎng)，或是有更強的對害蟲的抵抗性，對疾病的抵抗性，對氣候因素的穩(wěn)定性，例如：

For thousands of years, people have used methods such as selective breeding or crossing to produce more viable plants. However, it took a long time for changes to be made and it was difficult to make specific changes.

千百年來，人們使用諸如擇優(yōu)選擇（非自然選擇），雜交育種來培育更多更優(yōu)的植物。然而，這一過程是漫長而枯燥的，而且培育往往具有盲目，不完全定向而導致復雜的特性。

In recent years, developments in genetic engineering have enabled scientists to make specific changes more quickly. The plants produced in this way are referred to as GMO plants. The first GMO food that came on the market in 1994 was a tomato.

在這幾年，生物工程迅速發(fā)展使得科學家能夠更快地制作特定的改變。這種方法制作的植物稱為轉基因植物。世界上第一種進入市場的轉基因植物是1994年的西紅柿。

Types of GMO foods

轉基因食物的類型

The following are the most common GMO plants produced and sold in the USA:

下面的是最常見的轉基因植物：

sugar beet,

甜菜

Rapeseed， Maize Potato

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油菜籽，玉米，土豆

summer squash ，papaya，apple，Alfalfa

夏南瓜，木瓜，蘋果，苜蓿

Derivatives of these foods, such as corn starch and sugar, are also found in other manufactured foods. It’s worth noting that 99.9% of all sugar beets harvested in the USA are genetically modified, as are over 90% of all canola, corn, soybean, and cotton varieties.

由這些植物制作的食品，例如玉米淀粉和糖類，都被發(fā)現(xiàn)在其他的轉基因食品里。值得一提的是，美國99.9%的甜菜都是生物工程制作，同時也有超過90%的油菜，玉米，大豆，和各種棉花等。

Frequently asked questions

常見的問題

Below, we answer a few questions that people often ask about GMO foods.

接下來我們會回答一些人們經(jīng)常會問起的問題

Which common foods are GMOs?

常見的哪些食品是轉基因食品

The probability that foods made from corn, cottonseed, soybeans, canola, or sugar beets are GMO foods in the USA is 90% or higher.

在美國由玉米， 棉籽，大豆，油菜，或甜菜做成的食物是轉基因的可能性在90%或者更高。

Which GMO foods should be avoided?

我們應該避免哪一種轉基因食物呢？

There are no specific GMO foods that should be avoided. GMO foods are rigorously tested before they can be marketed. It could also make them safer than other foods that are not tested.

實際上去刻意躲避某種轉基因食物是沒有必要的。轉基因食物在投入市場前都會被嚴格檢測，這使得它們比那些沒有被測試的食物更加可靠。

Is GMO food safe?

轉基因食品安全嗎？

There is currently no evidence that GMO foods cause cancer, allergies, or other health problems. However, the research is still ongoing.

目前沒有證據(jù)表明轉基因食物會導致癌癥，過敏，或者其他健康問題。但是研究還在繼續(xù)。

What are the risks of GMO foods?

轉基因食品的風險在于？

Health authorities are checking all GMOs and other foods for safety before manufacturers can sell them, and research is ongoing.

相關的國家部門會對轉基因食品在廠家銷售前進行檢測，目的是為了確保安全。相關研究一直在進行著。

To date, scientists have found no evidence that commercially available GMO foods are harmful to health. Environmental concerns include the risk of altered genes entering wild species.

目前為止，科學家還沒有發(fā)現(xiàn)市場上流通的轉基因食品對健康有害的證據(jù)。環(huán)境方面的擔憂包括這些被改變的基因進入野生本種之中，使得自然進化的方向出現(xiàn)矛盾。

Outlook

未來展望

Genetic changes can make plants resistant to diseases and herbicides. Therefore, the process can increase the amount of food that farmers can grow. This in turn can lower food prices and contribute to food security.

基因的改變使得這些植株具有優(yōu)良的性狀，從而增加畝產(chǎn)。而且轉基因植株反過來會降低食物價格，而且還會保證食物安全。

GMO plants are relatively new, and researchers are still investigating their long-term safety and health effects, but there is still no evidence that currently available GMO foods are harmful to human health.

轉基因技術的出現(xiàn)還不久，所以研究人員還在持續(xù)地調(diào)查他們的長期安全問題和對健康的影響，目下并沒有證據(jù)表明市場上流通的轉基因食品會對人體造成什么負面影響。

但是還躺在實驗室的轉基因食品的風險肯定是比市場上的高，不建議直接使用實驗室的轉基因食品，還有最好不要在實驗室吃東西，嘿嘿。

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#找不到原文，誒，實在是一樁憾事