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Essay on GMO Labeling

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GMO labeling

Ever since their entrance onto the consumer market in the last two decades of the twentieth century, genetically modified organisms (often referred to as GMOs) have been getting mixed reviews from the public. Genetically modified consumer products (primarily food) have pushed the barriers of some people's comfort levels. Born out of either a lack of knowledge or a sincere concern for public health or the environment, a consumer rights movement has been planted around the world pushing for labeling of genetically modified food products. This movement has matured in many places to a degree where interest groups have successfully lobbied governments into adopting criteria for labeling transgenic food …show more content…

A generally accepted definition of a GMO is an organism whose genetic makeup has been altered in a way other than by means of natural mating or natural recombination (Le Meur 1). Under this blanket definition, age old methods of horticulture and animal husbandry are also ways of genetic modification or engineering. However, common usage of the term implies the use of recombinant DNA technology.

An example of an organism that has been produced in recent years that fits the modern definition of genetic modification is Bt corn. This breed of corn derives it name from the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis, which has a gene that produces a protein that resists a common soil larva that is known to attack corn roots. Once inserted into the corn genome, it expresses the same trait as the bacteria (European Commision 1). This has ultimately saved millions of dollars and reduced growers¦Ð reliance on pesticides.

Because of the success of transgenic crops like Bt corn, the usage and availability of GMOs has increased exponentially. The number of GM crops produced in the United States grew from 1.45 hectares in 1996 to over 29 million in 2000. This accounts for about 70% of the total GM crops grown in the world (European Commission 2). Similar patterns have emerged from other agriculture-intensive countries like Canada, Argentina, China, and Brazil. Large percentages of products like soybeans (68%), cotton (50%) and corn (28%) are now

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