Genetically modified organisms in public health perspective

Genetically modified organism (GMO) is defined as an organism whose genetic characteristics have been changed by the insertion of a modified gene or a gene from another organism except human being using modern biotechnology. Nowadays, the most frequently planted GMOs are corn, soybean, cotton, and canola. United States of America, Argentina, Brazil, India, and China are the top five countries those produce GMOs in the world. Cartagena Bio-Safety Convention of United Nations has been a pioneer regulation on GMOs worldwide. The Turkish Republic signed the convention in 2004. Although the Turkish Biosafety Law has been put into force in 2010, there are still major uncertain topics to be cleared out about GMOs including legal regulations in our country. In public health perspective, “precautionary principle” should be the major guide about GMOs.