10. How to distinguish GM food from natural food?

In the learning issues in our HFLA template, i was to research on ways to distinguish GM food from natural food and these were what i have found.

To distinguish GM food from natural food, it is important to check the presence of marker genes and promoter genes as these genes are using in the process of transformation.
Marker genes are used to quantify gene expression and to ensure that the DNA is properly delivered and transformation is stable. However, for plant cell transformation, marker genes can only be expressed inside cells of the target tissue and not in any contaminating microorganisms.
Also, Promoter genes are used in the process of transformation as it starts the mechanism of the DNA chain and cooperates with marker genes.


Reference:
Genes needed for transformation. http://library.thinkquest.org/C004033F/gmprocess_genes.htm (accessed: 14 June 2008)