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Gmo Essay

Decent Essays

Many developed countries such as the United States, Brazil, Canada, China, and South Africa are using genetically modified crops as a solution to several issues in their countries. Outside of feeding the masses, ethanol and meat production are industries that depend on excess amounts of corn to keep afloat. With how much of our food is modified in some fashion, one would think it was thoroughly tested before being used with such lax regulations. With what studies have recently emerged, we need to question whether it is safe and economically sound to use GMOs in developing and already developed countries. South Africa is currently undergoing a tug-of-war regarding the sustainability of its resources considering it becoming increasingly …show more content…

As stated in a case study completed in early 2011, “No consensus on the applied ERA (environmental risk assessment), let alone agreed standardized testing procedure exists.” Later on in the same study, it is concluded that, “In our view, this is not science based, lacks the required precaution and entirely puts the discovery of any potential adverse interaction, cumulative, indirect and long-term effect of … human and animal health and the environment in the marketing phase, i.e. the farmer and consumer.” There have been agreements on the international level that address the uncertainty of GMOs and have adapted the Precautionary Principle, allowing the government to take action should the people be at risk of any harm from genetically modified organism. For the most part, this Precautionary Principle is translucent in its regulations and does not address the main issues that come with implementing GMOs, especially in developing and borderline developed countries. Taking this upon themselves, the rise of organic and GMO-free farming practices have become apparent in towns and as gardening techniques for home-grown vegetables. Taking into account what governments have done both nationally and internationally, it is up to the individual to formulate an opinion about a topic that influences everyone worldwide. Some

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