Religious views on genetically modified foods have been mixed, although as of yet, no GM foods have been designated as unacceptable by religious authorities.

Judaism and Islam

One concern raised by the transfer of genes between species is that the foods produced might contravene religious dietary laws. For example, both Judaism

Judaism

Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...

 and Islam

Islam

Islam . The most common are and .   : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...

 prohibit the consumption of pork

Pork

Pork is the culinary name for meat from the domestic pig , which is eaten in many countries. It is one of the most commonly consumed meats worldwide, with evidence of pig husbandry dating back to 5000 BC....

, and these religions have expressed concern about the production of foods with genes from pigs.

Roman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church

Roman Catholic Church

The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...

 has not specifically opposed any types of GMOs.

Views on genetic engineering

Pope John Paul II was reported to have harbored critical views on GMOs, although he is thought to have given his approval to the subsequent scientific research carried out by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace

Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace

The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace is a part of the Roman Curia dedicated to "action-oriented studies" for the international promotion of justice, peace, and human rights from the perspective of the Roman Catholic Church...

.

The Catholic Church has taken a critical stance against the genetic engineering

Genetic engineering

Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the direct human manipulation of an organism's genome using modern DNA technology. It involves the introduction of foreign DNA or synthetic genes into the organism of interest...

 of embryos in the document Dignitas Personae

Dignitas Personae

Dignitas Personae is the title of a 2008 instruction by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith giving doctrinal directives on certain embryonic ethical controversies that had emerged since 1987, after Donum Vitae was released....

, but hasn't made any broad declaration against genetically modified food products.

Sean McDonagh, an Irish-Columbian priest, questioned whether transgenic wheat

Transgenic wheat

-Background:Wheat is an important domesticated grass used worldwide for food, and its evolution has been influenced by human intervention since the dawn of agriculture.Wheat is a natural hybrid derived from interspecies breeding...

 could ever be banned by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith , previously known as the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition , and after 1904 called the Supreme...

 because of the Church's strict rules regarding sacramental bread

Sacramental bread

Sacramental bread, sometimes called the lamb, altar bread, host or simply Communion bread, is the bread which is used in the Christian ritual of the Eucharist.-Eastern Catholic and Orthodox:...

. He specifically cited canon 924, which stipulates the bread must be wheaten only, and recently made, so that there is no danger of corruption.

Studies in 2002, 2003 and 2009

A 2002 meeting between bishops and scientists in the Philippines concluded that biotechnology can become a decisive weapon in the struggle against hunger and environmental pollution.

A 2003 symposium gathered by Cardinal Renato Martino has examined the use of GMOs in modern agriculture. The symposium's study argued that the future of humanity is at stake and that there is no room for the ideological arguments advanced by environmentalists.
Velasio De Paolis, a professor of canon law at the Pontifical Urban University, has said that it was "easy to say no to GM food if your stomach is full".

A 2009 study on genetically modified organisms sponsored by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences

Pontifical Academy of Sciences

The Pontifical Academy of Sciences is a scientific academy of the Vatican, founded in 1936 by Pope Pius XI. It is placed under the protection of the reigning Supreme Pontiff. Its aim is to promote the progress of the mathematical, physical and natural sciences and the study of related...

 came to a favorable conclusion on GMOs, viewing them as praiseworthy for improving the lives of the poor.

Anti-GMO sentiments in local episcopal conferences

In spite of these views, strong anti-GMO sentiments have been reported from episcopal conferences across Asia, Africa and some European countries. Bishop Vicente Navarra of the Diocese of Bacolod called on the Negros Occidental and Bacolod City governments to continue implementing Provincial Ordinance No. 007 and City Ordinance No. 485, respectively, banning the entry of GMO products.

Anglican communion

The Church Environmental Network, representing members of the Anglican church, has spoken out against the government's backing of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Christian Aid

Christian Aid

Christian Aid is the official relief and development agency of 40 British and Irish churches and works to support sustainable development, alleviate poverty, support civil society and provide disaster relief in South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Africa and Asia...

, a British ecumenical group, have been sharply critical of genetic engineering.