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CHICAGO -- When it comes to genetically modified foods, the American Medical Association (AMA) has adopted a "trust but verify" policy: the foods seem safe, but they still need to be checked out.

The policy adopted Tuesday at the AMA's House of Delegates meeting states that although there is no proven risk to foods coming from plants or animals whose DNA has been tweaked, the association would still like to see such foods go through a mandatory pre-market safety approval process.

This both-sides-of-the-fence position on the issue stemmed from a contentious Sunday debate during a reference committee meeting, at which some AMA members called for mandatory labeling of genetically modified foods, while others maintained there isn't enough science to show such foods pose any risks to human health.

Genetically modified foods first hit supermarket shelves in 1996. The term refers to any food that comes from a crop or animal that had specific changes introduced into its DNA via genetic engineering, such as making a certain grain more resistant to pests. According to committee testimony, 94% of soybeans, 88% of corn, and 90% of cotton has been modified genetically in some way.

The AMA report supports the findings of a 1987 National Academy of Sciences white paper that said there is no evidence that genetically modified foods pose any hazards. With the new policy, the AMA is on record as agreeing there is no science-based justification for requiring food manufacturers to label their products as "genetically modified."

During the Sunday meeting, some argued that bioengineered foods should be labeled as such so consumers know what they are eating. However, the FDA lacks the authority to mandate labeling of genetically engineered foods if the foods are as safe and have a similar nutritional profile as their non-genetically-modified counterparts.

Although the AMA does not support labeling, it does support pre-market safety assessments, AMA board member Patrice Harris, MD, said in a statement. That includes testing for major changes in nutrient or toxicant levels, which Harris called a "preventive measure to ensure the health of the public."

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