On Dec 11, 2023, a clinical report titled, “Use of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) – Containing Food Products in Children” was released from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This was accompanied by an educational article meant for parents titled, “Are GMO Foods Safe for My Child? AAP Policy Explained” on the AAP’s healthychildren.org website.
As a pediatrician with an interest in this subject, I was excited to read these papers. I thought it would be great to see the AAP lay to rest concerns about food containing ingredients derived from genetic engineering (GE). Instead, what I found was a piece filled with misinformation and missing key articles that support the well-researched conclusion that there is no legitimate evidence of negative health effects after more than three decades of intense study and surveillance.
I initially assumed the concerns about “GMOs” would be regarding risks associated with genetic modification. Rather, the authors make clear statements that they are chiefly concerned with increased and persistent use of herbicides on GE crops and that this pesticide exposure is harmful to health. Regarding herbicide exposure they write, “These toxic and carcinogenic risks substantially overshadow any theoretical risks to children’s health that may be associated with the introduction of novel genes into corn, soybeans, and other food crops.” In other words, their primary issue with genetic engineering is not the product itself, rather the dietary exposure to herbicide residues. They go on to detail their pesticide concern, targeting the herbicide glyphosate.
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Let’s get to the good part, how glyphosate works. Glyphosate is what’s called a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme 5-enolpyruvalshikimate 3-phosphate synthase, or EPSPS for short.
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But wait – here is the kicker!! EPSPS synthase is only found in plants and some microorganisms. EPSP synthase is NOT found in animals or humans. This therefore means glyphosate has no known mechanism of action in humans or animals. It is almost all excreted from our bodies when it is ingested. The pharmacological fate of this molecule, coupled to the low residue exposures, means there is virtually no risk from occupational or dietary exposures.
