GMO Labeling
Virginia L .Burns
Jefferson Technical &Community College GMO Labeling
Introduction
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are living organisms that are artificially manipulated usually in a laboratory through genetic engineering (The Non-GMO Project, n.d.). These organisms are practically the combination of plants, animal, bacterial, and viral materials that do not exist in naturally. These experiments that take place in the labs to produce the GMOs can be through artificial mixing or traditional crossbreeding approaches. The aim of producing the GMOs was to increase food availability, crop tolerance, improved nutrition, and other consumer benefits, until this date this goal has not been achieved (The Non-GMO
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In the USA there are no restrictions on the labeling of food products; this include the policy on GMOs increasing the chances for consumers purchasing the modified foods unknowingly (Down-to-earth, n.d.). The Down to Earth organization calls for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to instruct a mandatory labeling of food products as many of the citizens favor labeling and would want to have the right of choice.
Another issue that institutes the requirements for labeling of GMO products is safety and health risks (Bain & Dandachi, 2014). This concern goes hand in hand with the right of the consumers to have a choice on what to consume. Labeling would ensure that the customers are purchasing what they deem safe and take home what they are not allergic to their health conditions. The branding on the GMO products would exclusively give a consumer the power to control what their families eat as they can deduct how the products were manufactured or processed. Further, the labeling increases empowerment and transparency in the food system that would allow people have a say on what they consume. The next section is going to discuss the major points that surround the testing of GMOs, the reasons why agribusiness are refusing labeling of GMOs, and the health risks and environmental impacts of GMOs.
The Process of Testing GMOs
Since there are safety issues attached to the production and consumption of GMOs, the FDA has set guidelines that regulate these
Genetic modified organisms, or GMOs, are living organisms that, through the genetic engineering process, have been altered to withstand certain chemicals and increase the nutritional value of the product. In fact, the majority of the foods found at the grocery store are genetically altered. Genetic modification is becoming increasingly popular on farms throughout the United States and moving into other parts of the world due to their increasing yield capabilities and pest and weed control. However, this has been, and continues to be, an extremely controversial topic of discussion in the world of agriculture and biotechnology, as well as health food critics, because of potential environmental and health risks.
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), have turned into an exceptionally questionable theme here in our reality today. GMOs are life forms that have been developed through a quality joining methodologies of biotechnology or genetics building. This is a moderately new type of science which permits DNA from an individual species to be injected into another species in a research center. This produces blends of plant, creature, microscopic organisms, and viral qualities that don 't show up in conventional crossbreeding systems or found in nature. GMO’s have been liked to several health-related issues, and should be banned by the FDA (Genetically Modified Organisms, N.D. ).
In order for a person to make a smart logical decision regarding a pro or anti-GMO position one must understand what a GMO is. A plant that is genetically modified and then the Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of one plant is forced into another kind of plant to be considered a GMO. This process takes place in a laboratory. It is not limited to just plants. Animals can also be modified. Viruses, insects, bacteria, humans, and animals can all supply the foreign DNA. Some researchers also refer to the process as Genetic Engineering(GE) (10 Reasons”).
There are varied arguments that favor or are against compulsory labeling of genetically engineered food products. Those who argue for the labeling of such products argue that consumers have a right to know what is contained in their food, particularly food products for which there have been health and environmental concerns (Caswell 26). Compulsory labeling will permit consumers to identify and avoid those food products that may cause them problems. On the contrary, those who argue against mandatory labeling point out that
The debate over genetically modified foods continues to haunt producers and consumers alike. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are foods that have been modified through bioengineering to possess certain characteristics. These plants have been modified in the laboratory to enhance traits such as increased resistance to herbicides or increased nutritional content (Whitman, 2000). The debate continues to grow as to whether these genetically altered foodstuffs are the answer to hunger in the coming years, or whether we are simply children playing with something that we do not have the capacity to understand. One of the biggest debates in the GMO issue is whether producers need to use labeling of
The advancement of technology has allowed our generation to genetically modify food for what is believed to be beneficial to consumers. The environmental and health effects of genetically modified foods have generated controversy about whether these foods are safe. With such advances, the use of genetically modified food is expanding, even though they 're unlabeled. Genetically modified foods should be labeled because of the possible health, environmental, and economic risks. Once a consumer knows what they are paying for, it is fair to produce and market such foods.
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
Sixty four countries around the world have banned the use of GMOs, otherwise known as Genetically Modified Organisms, within farms and supermarkets. However, the United States, a usually technologically advanced country, has yet to invest much time or effort into this endeavour, one that would make food healthier for people and protect the environment. The US government has taken a step back in this effort for healthier food options, as in the country, companies that use GMOs are not required to label their food as such. Some companies and businesses, however, are working to make a change in the case for GMOs in the US, by advocating minimized GMO usage, menu transparency, or the complete ban of the usage.
Importantly, there is a current controversy concerning whether genetically modified foods should be labeled as such or if it is an unnecessary extra expense. Indeed, some individuals believe that if a product is genetically modified then it is potentially dangerous to a consumer’s health causing birth defects, increased risk of cancer, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s disease (Greenpeace, n.d.). Therefore, based upon this predisposition they believe that a label should be placed on every product that is genetically modified, since it is the consumers right to know if a product has been exposed to harmful chemicals and pesticides. Contrariwise, others believe that labeling genetically modified foods is not needed, since there is presently no viable
There are currently two federal legislative initiatives, entitled the “Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act” which will require labeling of genetically modified (GM) foods. HR 1699, introduced by Rep Peter de Fazio 4/24/2013, is currently in the House - Energy and Commerce Committee. An identical senate bill, S 809, introduced by Sen Barbara Boxer 4/24/2013, is currently in the Senate - Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
GMO: “Why is it legal?” “Is it considered safe amongst consumers?”. Those are the two frequently asked questions. If GMOs are used on farms, are consumers rights and health at stake? GMOs are bad because they can cause health problems, environmental damage, and violation of farmers and consumers rights. The lack of GMOs labels plays a major part. How will consumers know what they're putting in their bodies? GMOs are used in 80% of processed foods. Yet, consumers fail to begin living “healthy” lifestyle, the consumption of GMO will drastically affect them.
GMOs (or “genetically modified organisms”) are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering, or GE. This relatively new science creates unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacteria and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.
Although new label regulations, should relieve some fears, by year 2020, most GMOs will have appropriate labeling. There are institutions within the agricultural community that can help resolve the anxiety that oversees the mandatory regulations, which adhere to the reproduction and distribution of GMOs. The Department of Agriculture (DOA), inspects and normalizes safety concerns of growing of crops, whereas the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), lets us know if foods are safe to consume. One of the most controversial institutions is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), The EPA protects the environment. Propaganda or misinformation continues to effect the small farmer, allowing the Big Corporations to slip through the cracks on globally- agreed mandatory regulations, testing, and exporting. These processes are critical, and must have approval, whereas the monitoring and data, is preserved for future reference, clarifying “its main objective is to determine whether the GM crop is “substantially equivalent” to its non-GM varieties and whether it poses an allergen risk” (Norwood, Oltenacu, Lorenzo, & Lancaster, 2015, p.
There is a general scientific agreement that food from genetically modified crops is not inherently riskier to human health than conventional food, but should be tested on a case-by-case basis.[138][139][140][141] No reports of ill effects have been proven in the human population from ingesting GM food.[138][142][143][144] Although labeling of GMO products in the marketplace is required in many countries, it is not required in the United States and no distinction between marketed GMO and non-GMO foods is recognized by the US FDA. In a May 2014 article
In the last thirty years, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been used for in the production of medicine and food and are widely used in scientific research and the production of other products (Junod, 2009). A GMO is any organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques, including mutation, insertion, or deletion of genes (Nelson, 2010).