Institute of Food Technologists

About the author: The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a nonprofit society for food science and technology. The IFT conducted a review to evaluate the current scientific information concerning biotechnology. The following information is taken from the review written by three panels of experts consisting of IFT members and other biotechnology authorities and was published in August, September, and October of 2000 in Food Technology.

Among the specific benefits of recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology, also know as genetic engineering or modification of foods, is the development of disease resistance in crops such as pears and apples. Biotechnology has produced the first trees resistant to devastating "fire blight" bacterial disease. Another benefit is the production of foods with improved nutritional value, including increased quantifies of essential amino acids, vitamins...