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.
Scientists produce genetically modified foods by genetically engineering genetic engineering to obtain genetic material or DNA from another organism.
科学家将不同的物种的DNA切割混合，用基因工具改造原种
Most of the genetically modified foods currently available are plants such as fruits and vegetables.
大多数被设计的而且目前可获得的转基因食物是转基因的水果和蔬菜。
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.
在美国，美国国家食品药品管理局对转基因食品做出规范。转基因食品必须满足食品安全规范的若干条例。
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.
In this article, we discuss the benefits and harms of genetically modified plants, including their potential impact on human health and the environment.
在这篇文章中我们将全面讨论转基因植物的优劣，包括它们对人类健康以及自然的潜在影响。
Advantage
优点
Manufacturers use genetic alterations to give food products the desired properties.
转基因领域的科学家使用DNA可局部替换的特性给予食物以预期的性状，客观上达到了人类的目的。
Potential benefits of genetically modified plants include:
转基因食物的隐藏的好处：
Increased appeal to consumers, such as apples and potatoes, is less likely to bruise or turn brown
增加了消费市场的长期活力，例如转基因苹果和土豆更加难以变质。
Intensifier Flavor
改变了味道
Longer shelf life, thus reducing waste
增长了保质期，因此减少了浪费
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
Growing plants that are more resistant to diseases carried by insects or viruses may lead to higher yields and more attractive products for farmers.
种植可以抵抗病虫害，可以抵抗疾病的植物会有更高亩产，这对农民来讲非常具有吸引力。
All of these factors help reduce costs for consumers and ensure that more people have access to high-quality food.
所有的这些因素都可以减少成本，也可以确保更多人可以获得高质量农产品。
Shortcoming
缺点
Genetically modified foods are a relatively new practice, meaning the long-term impact on safety is unclear.
多数转基因食品是相对新的尝试，这意味着长期影响尚不清楚。
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.
许多人都担忧转基因食品的缺点会有害人类健康，但科学的研究还没有表明它们的确如此。
Anaphylaxis
过敏反应
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.
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.
例如当科学家将巴西栗与大豆（或黄豆）的基因混合，对坚果过敏的人对这个新品种有更低的概率发作过敏
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.
世界卫生组织建议基因工程师不要使用过敏源的DNA片段，除非他们能确定该基因片段不是导致过敏的原因。
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.
There are concerns that eating genetically modified foods may increase levels of potential carcinogens in the body, leading to the development of cancer.
对于转基因食品是否会导致人体内潜在的致癌物质的积累，进而导致癌症这一疑惑仍然存在担忧。
The American Cancer Society notes that there is currently no evidence that genetically modified foods available can increase or decrease the risk of cancer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
However, if genetically modified foods are "significantly" different from conventional foods, special labels are required.
然而，如果转基因食品与传统食品显著不同，特殊标签也是会被要求的。
For example:
例如：
A genetically modified canola oil that contains more lauric acid than traditional canola oil is labeled "laurate canola oil".
一种转基因菜籽油，特别之处在于比传统品种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”
一种转基因大豆油，有更多的油酸，必须被贴标签“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”
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.
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.
生产加工涉及生物技术必须带有标识。如果一个产品没有此类标识，那么就不会有任何生物工程的成分。
Foods that are likely to be GMOs include:
可能是转基因食品包括：
Sugar beets, as 99.9% of sugar beets in the USA are GMO rapeseed products
甜菜，在美国99.9%的甜菜都是生物工程的产物。
大豆，美国95%的大豆是转基因食品
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%的棉花是生物工程产物
Because 94% of cotton is GMOs
Many GMO plants also become ingredients in other foods, for example:
许多转基因植物的作用就是为其他食物的制作提供原料例如：
cornstarch in soups and sauces
汤和酱汁中的玉米淀粉
corn syrup used as a sweetener
用作甜味剂的玉米糖浆
corn, rapeseed and soybean oil in mayonnaise, dressings and bread sugar
蛋黄酱、调味料和面包糖中的玉米、油菜籽和大豆油
from sugar beets
来自甜菜
How do scientists produce GMO foods?
科学家如何制作转基因食品
When genetically modified, scientists add new DNA to the gene pool of an existing plant.
科学家寻求现有的植物的部分基因来添加到目的植株以达到相应的性状。
To do this, the following must happen
Scientists transfer new DNA to plant cells.
为了完成转基因的操作，科学家必须去做：
科学家将其他物种的DNA片段移植到该植株
They grow the cells in tissue cultures and a plant develops.
通过培养细胞达到组织层次，之后利用植物组织培养技术培育有相应性状的新品种植物。
The new plant produces seeds.
新植物产出种子
A person grows plants from the new seeds.
人们从这些新植物产生的种子来种植庄稼。
The new plants will have genetic characteristics that make them more nutritious or resistant to pests, diseases or climate factors, for example.
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.
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.
The following are the most common GMO plants produced and sold in the USA:
下面的是最常见的转基因植物：
sugar beet,
甜菜
Rapeseed， Maize Potato
油菜籽，玉米，土豆
summer squash ，papaya，apple，Alfalfa
夏南瓜，木瓜，苹果，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.
Below, we answer a few questions that people often ask about GMO foods.
接下来我们会回答一些人们经常会问起的问题
Which common foods are GMOs?
常见的哪些食品是转基因食品
The probability that foods made from corn, cottonseed, soybeans, canola, or sugar beets are GMO foods in the USA is 90% or higher.
在美国由玉米， 棉籽，大豆，油菜，或甜菜做成的食物是转基因的可能性在90%或者更高。
Which GMO foods should be avoided?
我们应该避免哪一种转基因食物呢？
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.
There is currently no evidence that GMO foods cause cancer, allergies, or other health problems. However, the research is still ongoing.
目前没有证据表明转基因食物会导致癌症，过敏，或者其他健康问题。但是研究还在继续。
What are the risks of GMO foods?
转基因食品的风险在于？
Health authorities are checking all GMOs and other foods for safety before manufacturers can sell them, and research is ongoing.
相关的国家部门会对转基因食品在厂家销售前进行检测，目的是为了确保安全。相关研究一直在进行着。
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.
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.
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.
