GMO Livestock Feed Doesn't Impact Food-Producing Animals

You may be able to breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to genetically modified food crops. Scientists have found that the health of food-producing animals consuming genetically engineered feed is comparable to that of animals consuming non-GE feed.

Genetically modified crops were first introduced in 1996. Since then, 19 genetically engineers plant species have been approved for use in the United States, including alfalfa, canola, corn, cotton, soybean and sugar beet. Many of these crops are also consumed by food-producing animals. That's why researchers decided to take a closer look to see whether animals that ate genetically engineered crops were different from those who didn't.

This is particularly important considering how many GE crops animals consume. Food-producing animals now consume 70 to 90 percent of all genetically engineered crops. In addition, about 95 percent of the 9 billion food-producing animals produced annually consume feed that contains GE ingredients.

"Studies have continually shown that the milk, meat and eggs derived from animals that have consumed GE feed are indistinguishable from the products derived from animals fed a non-GE diet," said Van Eenennaam, one of the researchers, in a news release. "Therefore, proposed labeling of animal products from livestock and poultry that have eaten GE feed would require supply-chain segregation and traceability, as the products themselves would not differ in any way that could be detected."

The research reveals that food-producing animals aren't affected by the GE crops that they consume. This is particular important to note in order to prevent international trade disruptions in countries importing these feeds at the same time that regulatory approvals are passed in the countries that are major exporters of animals feed.

The findings are published in the Journal of Animal Science.