Do genetically modified (GM) foods cause cancer?
- There’s no evidence that eating genetically modified foods causes cancer in humans
- GM foods are not common in the UK
- The main use of UK GM crops, such as maize and soybean, is in animal feed
There’s no evidence that genetically modified (GM) foods cause cancer in humans. And there aren’t any good explanations for how GM foods could cause cancer.
In the US, where GM foods are more common, we haven’t seen more cases of cancer linked to their introduction in the 1990s.
What are GM foods and GMOs?
Genetic modification is when the genes of a living thing have been changed or added to. Genes carry instructions for plants and animals to function.
Genetic modification means plants or animals can be changed to have a specific quality, such as being more resistant to disease. These plants and animals are called ‘genetically modified organisms’ (GMOs).
GM foods are foods that are made using genetically modified plants or animals (GMOs). They are not common in the UK. The main use of common GM crops, such as maize and soybean, is in animal feed.
Should I avoid eating GM foods and GMOs?
You don’t need to avoid GM foods to reduce your risk of cancer. But there are other ways to reduce the risk, including eating a healthy balanced diet.
Some people worry that GM foods are unnatural and might be harmful. But it’s useful to remember that we have been changing genes of living things for hundreds of years, by selecting plants and animals to breed. This process changes the genes of the things we eat, but it’s also not linked to cancer.
Because GM foods are relatively new, research continues to make sure that there aren’t any long-term health effects.
How do I know if my food contains GM ingredients?
In the UK, foods have to be labelled as GM if they contain genetically modified plants or animals.
GM foods can only be sold if the Food Standards Agency judges that they:
- Do not present a risk to health
- Do not mislead consumers
- Do not have less nutritional value than their non-GM counterparts
GM foods are one of many cancer myths. But there are things that have been proven to cause cancer, and things you can do to reduce your risk.
National Academies of Sciences E, and Medicine; Division on Earth and Life Studies; Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources; Committee on Genetically Engineered Crops: Past Experience and Future Prospects. Human Health Effects of Genetically Engineered Crops. Genetically Engineered Crops: Experiences and Prospects. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2016.
Snell C, Bernheim A, Berge JB, et al. Assessment of the health impact of GM plant diets in long-term and multigenerational animal feeding trials: a literature review. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association. 2012;50:1134-1148.
Food Standards Agency. Genetically modified foods. Vol 2019. https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/genetically-modified-foods: FSA; 2018.
Last reviewed: 1 February 2022
Next review due: 1 February 2025
