Genetically modified food from crops: progress, pawns, and possibilities

Some of the progress and possibilities of genetically modified (GM) food from crops are discussed. The scope and number of GM crops planted each year continues to grow and has made the adoption of GM seeds one of the most rapidly adopted farming technologies ever. GM crops and the the GM food or animal feed derived from crops are developed using the tools of agricultural biotechnology. GM crops can also be developed for non-food purposes such as the development of medically important proteins and for industrial uses. It is important to acknowledge that science and technology can play important roles and open up new opportunities. The food system would allow for both GM and non-GM foods to easily coexist anywhere in the world. The methods that exist for GM food detection focus on detection of the rDNA or newly expressed protein. New GM crops will continue to come to market and private sectors are also developing new GM food crops for other purposes.