questions + answers
- What is genetic engineering (GE)?
- How does it differ from cross-breeding or other forms of biotechnology?
- Which foods are currently genetically engineered?
- Who is behind GE foods?
- Are GE crops grown in Australia?
- How do GE crops affect the environment?
- What are the health concerns?
- Are GE crops good for farmers?
- Will GE crops feed the world?
- Are GE foods labelled?
- What is organic food?
- Why is animal feed important?
- Does GE food have any health benefits?
Why is animal feed important?
Globally, 80% of GE crops (canola, corn, cotton trash and soy) are actually fed to animals. These GE crops then enter the human food chain through products such as meat, milk and eggs.
The health effects GE feed has on the animals forced to eat it are unknown, as are the possible health effects on humans who consume these animal products. Furthermore, the adverse environmental impacts of GE crops are the same whether they are fed to humans or animals.
Current Australian labelling laws do not require meat, milk and eggs derived from animals fed on GE crops to be labelled.
