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<br>There's been a whole lot of talk about genetically modified organisms (GMOs), with debate about their safety for human consumption, effects on the environment, labeling and regulation. But amid all the hubbub, you might not realize that there's a newer kid on the block: synthetic foods. Synthetic, or synbio, products aren't on the commercial market yet, but the uproar has begun, particularly around the fact that one synbio food ingredient has received the OK to receive a "natural" label. So is it just a short step now to the Holy Grail: an organic label? To the uninitiated, GMOs and synbio products might be [mistaken](https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/search?search_api_views_fulltext=mistaken) for the same thing. But whereas GMOs are created by copying genes from one existing organism and transferring them into another, the DNA sequences in synbio foods are completely computer-generated. Synthetic biologists create genes for certain enzymes and inject them into yeast. When the scientists combine that yeast with a carbon-based ingredient such as sugar, fermentation naturally occurs - with the injected DNA controlling the reaction to transform the sugar into one of any number of substances.<br> |
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<br>The result is chemically identical to the natural substance. FDA has not developed a definition for use of the term natural or its derivatives. However, the agency has not objected to the use of the term if the food does not contain added color, artificial flavors, or synthetic substances. Not hard to see how synthetic ingredients could end up bearing the "natural" label. Organic products, however, are highly regulated by the USDA. No genetically modified or [Bliss Harmony CBD](http://inyoureyes.mx/cropped-brand-2-png) synthetic substances are allowed in the production of food labeled "100% organic." There is a strictly maintained, very short, list of permissible substances, and we think that adding synthetic spices or extracts to that list would raise a stink. But considering how quickly synbio development is moving, we have a hunch the issue will pop up before too long. Are foods made using biotechnology safe to eat? Why are turkeys genetically modified? Barclay, Eliza. "GMOs are Old Hat. Synthetically Modified Food is the New Frontier." NPR. Gillam, Carey. "Most Foods Labeled 'Natural' Actually Contain GMOs." Reuters. Hansen, Joyanna. "Interpreting Food Labels: Natural versus Organic." American Society for Nutrition. Harman, Greg. "Technology is ready for synthetic foods. Are you?" The Guardian. Hayden, Erika Check. "Synthetic-biology firms shift focus." Nature. Haynes, Karmella. "No One Should be Afraid of Synthetic-Biology Produced Vanilla." Slate. Suppan, Steve. "From GMO to SMO: how synthetic biology evades regulation." Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy. United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. U.S. Department of Agriculture. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.<br> |
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