Genetically modified sources of foods include genetically modified plants and animals, genetically modified microorganisms (bacteria, blue and green algae and viruses).
He also reported that the health ministry had worked out a list of vegetable foods which ought to undergo GMI testing. "The document has been endorsed and is now in effect," said Tutelyan.
"GMS foods is the concern of each of us. We should guard the Russian people and Russia against such a danger," he added.
He claims that the unfavourable effect of the presence of GMS foods in a human organism can be expressed in the eruption of various ailments, including cancer.
Dealing with new medical and biological approaches to GMS foods' quality and biosafety appraisal, Tutelyan said about Russia carrying out extensive research dealing with this problem.
Meanwhile, Alexander Ginzburg, director of the epidemiology and microorganisms research centre, said when appearing at the session of the Academy of Medical Sciences preventive medicine department, that genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs)can be very useful to mankind.
It is thanks to GMMs that people have availed themselves of technologies for waste utilisation and the pulp-and-paper industry, for handling global issues of biosphere stabilisation (for instance, the reduction of the greenhouse effect) and obtaining foodstuffs. In medicine, GMMs provide, among other things, genetic engineering vaccines and immune biological drugs (for instance, growth factors).
"People use GMMs to get the following foodstuffs and their ingredients: bacterial food ferments, fungi and yeast for wine- and cheese-making, yeast for bakery and brewery," said Gizburg.
He also reported that the year 2003 saw the foundation of an inter-departmental expert council on GMM microbiological and molecular examination. Some 64 substances have been tested over the past period.
