NutraCast: Microbiologist breaks down myths, misconceptions about GMO probiotics

The microbiologist explained that traditionally, there hasn’t been much specific knowledge of bacteria’s potential benefits. By engineering bacteria to serve individual needs, ZBiotics has been able to offer a more powerful approach by leveraging its potential for human health.

“I think that you could say that given how unique everybody's microbiome is, the idea that lactobacillus, a byproduct essentially of the dairy industry, would reliably help you is not a very strong hypothesis - it's not part of a healthy adult microbiome. That is to say though, it does perform biological functions and some of those could tangentially be beneficial to you, but it'd be very individual. And so I think it could help some people, sometimes. But the idea that it can uniformly help everybody is not a very strong hypothesis from a microbiology standpoint,” he said.

Since launching in 2016, Abbott said the overall response to the genetically engineered probiotics has been positive, with people excited about the benefits it offers. While there is excitement around the technology, there is also skepticism, Which Abbott said is largely driven by misconceptions and fear surrounding GMOs. However, he’s hoping to educate consumers about the benefits of responsibly engineered products.

The biggest barrier for ZBiotics is cutting through the noise of the supplement industry. One way Abbott is doing so  is by proudly proclaiming the use of GMO technology in order to stand out and attract curious consumers. He added that the challenge lies in earning trust and credibility from a skeptical audience and demonstrating the tangible benefits of ZBiotics in a market filled with what he sees as ineffective alternatives.

To hear more on the science behind ZBiotics, applications beyond digestive health and what GMO probiotics might mean for DSHEA 2.0, listen to the NutraCast.

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