ISBN: 978-93-94174-56-6

Genetically Modified Foods: Evaluating Their Safety for Human Health and Environmental Sustainability

Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, M.H.C.M. Science College, Algapur, Hailakandi, Assam, India

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have become a major technological innovation in modern agriculture, offering solutions to challenges related to food security, climate change, and agricultural productivity. Through genetic engineering, scientists can introduce desirable traits such as pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, improved nutritional quality, and increased crop yield. Since the commercial introduction of genetically modified crops in the mid-1990s, their cultivation has expanded rapidly across many countries. However, concerns remain regarding the potential risks of genetically modified foods to human health and environmental sustainability. These concerns include allergenicity, toxicity, unintended nutritional changes, biodiversity loss, gene flow to wild species, and the development of herbicide-resistant weeds. The purpose of this review is to examine the scientific evidence regarding the safety of genetically modified foods and their ecological implications. The study analyzes recent research findings, regulatory frameworks, and environmental observations related to genetically modified crops. Scientific evidence suggests that genetically modified foods approved by regulatory authorities are generally safe for human consumption and nutritionally comparable to conventional foods. Moreover, genetically modified crops can contribute significantly to agricultural productivity and global food security. Nevertheless, environmental challenges such as herbicide resistance, biodiversity impacts, and ecological imbalance require careful monitoring and sustainable agricultural management. This paper concludes that genetically modified foods can play an important role in addressing global food demands if supported by strong regulatory oversight, transparent scientific evaluation, and environmentally responsible farming practices.

*Corresponding author; e-mail: mahmudhsn21@gmail.com

Cite this Chapter: Mahmud Hussain Barbhuiya. 2026. Genetically Modified Foods: Evaluating Their Safety for Human Health and Environmental Sustainability. In: Dr. Shamim Ahmed Shamim Khan Barbhuiya. Dr. Saurabh Sarma. Dr. Kowser Alam Laskar. Dr. Atiqur Rahman Laskar. Dr. Gulenoor Islam Barbhuiya (Eds.), ANUSANDHAN-A Peer Reviewed Multidisciplinary Research Repository. Excellent Publishers, India. pp. 69-76. doi: https://doi.org/10.20546/978-93-94174-56-6_9