Author : Fee-Chon Low

Summary : General public concerns: The benefits of biotechnology to deliver better and more food will come to nough if there is no public acceptance of the food. Thus, it is of paramount importance that public concerns regarding biotechnology-derived foods should be addressed. Main issues of public concerns include the potential risks and toxicity of the transgene, the likelihood of transfer of antibiotic resistance from the transgene to the gut of the consumer, the nutritional value of this novel food and the potential harm to non-target organisms which consume this food. Since public awareness of biotechnology is generally low, the public uncertainty about biotechnology-derived foods is understandable. Food safety assessments as outlined above, which are conducted by the respective food safety regulatory bodies, are especially designed to address these concerns and to safeguard that all foods entering the market are safe. However, if national regulatory authorities for food safety assessment can demonstrate to the public that their safety is their priority responsibility, public confidence in their regulatory authorities for food safety can be enhanced (or restored, as the case may be) and their concerns mitigated.