Do genetically modified foods cause cancer?

Why are some people worried about genetically modified foods and cancer?

Genetically modified (GM) foods are foods from animals or plants that have had their genes changed (modified). Genes are instructions that tell plants and animals how to grow and function. Genes can be modified in crops and animals to make them grow faster, produce more food or be more resistant to disease.

GM foods are not common in the UK. The main use of GM crops is in animal feed and cooking oils.

Some people are worried that GM foods might cause cancer. For example, if changing the genes could introduce harmful substances to the food. Or if we ourselves could have our genes changed by eating GM foods. However, research has shown that these things do not happen.

What does the research say about genetically modified foods and cancer?

GM foods do not cause cancer. There is no evidence that eating GM foods causes cancer. And there aren’t any good explanations for how GM foods could cause cancer.

We have been changing the genes of living things for hundreds of years by choosing specific plants and animals to breed to get certain outcomes. This is called artificial selection. Modern genetic modification is like a quicker version of artificial selection. Scientists agree that GM foods are just as safe as non-GM foods.

GM foods are carefully monitored around the world. In Great Britain, the Food Standards Agency (FSA), Food Standards Scotland (FSS), and the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) check GM foods are safe. In Northern Ireland, the European Food Standards Agency checks GM foods are safe.

GM foods can only be sold in the UK if they:

• don’t present a risk to health,

• don’t mislead consumers, such as with inaccurate labelling or marketing,

• don’t have less nutritional value than the same food in non-GM form.

GM foods are not common in the UK, but any GM food will be clearly labelled.

Diet and cancer risk

Eating GM foods won’t increase your risk of cancer. Your overall diet (what you eat day-to-day) is more important for your cancer risk than any individual ingredient or food. A healthy, balanced diet can reduce the risk of cancer.

This means eating mostly:

• fruit and vegetables,

• wholegrains such as wholemeal bread and brown versions of pasta and rice,

• healthy protein sources like chicken, fish and pulses

And cutting down on processed and red meat, alcohol, and foods that are high in sugar, fat and salt.

Find out more about what makes a healthy diet.

Find out more