A 2015 Pew Research survey revealed that 57 percent of American adults think that genetically engineered foods are not safe.
A study committee composed of experts in the field of ecology, genetics and crop health, however, have yet again showed that genetically modified crops are generally safe for humans and even the environment.
A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report on this analysis that looked at nearly 900 studies and disease data revealed there has been no increase in health risks related to the consumption of genetically modified food.
"The committee carefully searched all available research studies for persuasive evidence of adverse health effects directly attributable to consumption of foods derived from GE crops but found none," the study committee said in a statement.
"Studies with animals and research on the chemical composition of GE foods currently on the market reveal no differences that would implicate a higher risk to human health and safety than from eating their non-GE counterparts."
Genetically manipulated crops have in fact even benefited people, the analysis concludes. Crops that were engineered to resist bugs, for instance, reduce incidence of insecticide poisoning, and those that were altered to produce more vitamin A can cut cases of blindness and death caused by vitamin A deficiency.
The report, which was released on Tuesday, did not also find evidence of environmental problems that can be attributed to genetically modified crops albeit it noted that pesticide resistance increasingly becomes a problem.
Some weeds have evolved resistance to glyphosate, the herbicide that most genetically engineered crops were engineered to be resistant.
Advocacies have pushed for the mandatory labeling of genetically modified food, but results of the report suggest that this move is not necessary. At a press conference, report committee member Michael Rodemeyer said the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not have the authority to mandate such labeling without the evidence of the health impacts from GM crops.
Calls for labeling in food products though have already succeeded in some states. Some companies such as General Mills and Campbell Soup already start to label products that were made with genetically manipulated ingredients.
Despite the result of the analysis that show no evidence of health effects from current use of GM products, the study committee's chair, Fred Gould, from North Carolina State University, pointed out the importance of continued scrutiny over the possibilities of "subtle" effects emerging later.
"It's been 20 years, maybe it will take 40 years to show up," Gould said.
