Question: Are foods made using biotechnology more healthier than normal food?

Sinead Loughran answered on 15 Nov 2016:

Great question Erika,

I think that to be accepted by European consumers, GM crops will need to offer direct health and nutritional benefits. Companies such as Monsanto (USA) are investing heavily in the second revolution in agricultural biotechnology: GM foods with health benefits.

Given that many consumers who are wary of GM foods nevertheless eat nutraceuticals or functional foods, despite the often unfounded or unproven health claims, functional GM foods might overcome the widespread rejection of GM foods by offering proven health benefits—unlike functional foods and nutraceuticals that are sold over the counter, GM plants are subject to rigorous safety and efficacy tests.

For example, GM plants have been engineered to contain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are particularly important for early childhood development.