GMO Labels- What is Hidden in the Dark GMO, or Genetically Modified Organism, is a modern problem today because of its abundance in foods, and lack of labels. GMO’s are used to modify the DNA of our consumable food to protect them from herbicides, pests, and any other disease that can destroy a crop. Unfortunately, these methods are not considered safe in most countries, with the notable exception of America. The European Union has outright bans on using anything that has even the effect of a GMO on foods that will be sent to be eaten by consumers, however, most Genetically Modified foods in America are not even labelled. 80% of foods contain some sort of genetic modification; the most common of these are soy, corn, beets, canola, yellow squash, and zucchini. GMO product first became an ethical issue when they were introduced to the produce sent to grocery stores to be consumed. Because of their many benefits and disadvantages, the use of GMO’s became an ethical and debatable issue with room to move either way. Some people argue that GMO’s are the cause of illness, and cancer, while others believe that they are paving the way for the produce of the future. Still others are completely unaware of the contents of the food they are buying. Either way, Genetically Modified Foods will always be around to surprise you, even when you least expect it. Because of these many ethical standpoints, in order to make things easier for the consumers of America; the most
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.
We live in a Gilded age of produce. Within the past couple of years, GMOS replaced our original, natural diet with these “genetically altered” foods. GMO, or genetically modified organism, is defined as “a plant, animal, microorganism, or other organism whose genetic makeup has been modified using recombinant DNA methods (also called gene splicing), gene modification, or transgenic technology” (Non-GMO Project). What may be perceived as healthy salad at first glance, may just be a bowl of genetically modified “food”. These are underlying problems not recognized by most of the public. The use of GMOs creates endless risks and pose a threat to the environment, genetic diversity, and future.
GMO products are made just like Frankenstein. Frankenstein was created in a laboratory from different DNA unnatural from its own. But unlike Frankenstein who was ugly on the outside and initially beautiful on the inside, a GMO tomato for example, is a big plump, juicy, red, beautiful tomato on the outside but has harmful effects on the inside. In today’s society, our local grocery stores are filled with GMO products. Most consumers are uneducated about GMO and unaware of what is being purchased because there are no laws of mandatory GMO labeling. According to The Non-GMO Project, “In North America, over 80% of our food contains GMOs.” GMO foods
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.
GMO technology has made it easier for the farmers to spray their crop and watch it grow without having to go through any trouble. They say they use GMOs to produce more to feed the world, yet studies have shown that we have enough food to feed the world twice! So why go through all the trouble? Filmmaker Jeremy went to GMO companies asking one question: are there products safe? His main target was Monsanto, yet they avoided any questions and asked him to leave the premises, leaving Jeremy with high suspicions. The “Who can label Frankenfood?” article states that “For now, the FDA has determined that genetically modified ingredients don't require special labeling, but it has reserved the right to reverse course on that,” (Los Angeles Times). The items we eat daily could have been made by genetic engineering, but there is no
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are genetic materials; which have been altered through biotechnology. Many crops sold around the world are genetically modified. GMOs undergo changes to fit a specific purpose such as pest-resistant crops. Despite the fact that GMOs are commonly used, there has been many disagreements regarding whether or not they should be labeled. Although GMOs have been deemed safe by the FDA they concluded that labeling GMOs are unnecessary, citizens disagree and suggest GMOs should be labeled because labels provide benefits and also allow people to have positive attitudes regarding GMOs; also not labeling GMOs infringes on an American citizen’s freedom and the labels could start a governmental public campaign
Producers have been manipulating DNA in the reproduction of their products before Gregor Mendel founded the modern understanding of genetics. Thus, genetically modified organisms -GMOs- are simply more advanced hybrids. The World Health organization defines GMOs as organisms in which their genetic information has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally (Blair, 2015). The controversy regarding genetically modified organisms has been prevalent not only in the agricultural community, but academic conversation as well. Although many organizations and individuals claim genetically modified organisms are malicious to human health as well as the environment, they are indeed the basis for healthy, sustainable agriculture that not only provide a quality product for the consumer, but a safe and nutritious product as well.
Because there is such an abundance of food in this country (the USA), one can find GMOs almost everywhere, from a cob of corn in the produce aisle to a fast-food quarter pounder. Consequently, if a person is concerned about what food they are putting into their mouth, the topic is GMOs is likely to show up at some point. Growing crops that have been changed on a genetic level to achieve a specific characteristic is now a commonplace practice by many commercial and non-commercial farmers alike. These enhanced species of plants have a variety of advantages over unmodified species. Genetically modified organisms can benefit farmers and consumers because of their increased durability and
When most people hear the word GMO, they automatically think of something that should be avoided in the foods we eat. Little do they know that 90 percent of the soy, canola, corn, cotton, and sugar produced in America is a GMO product, so it's sort of unavoidable. For those who don't know, a GMO is an "organism that has had it's DNA altered or modified in some way through genetic engineering" (Lalinilla). The DNA can be from animals, plants, and even viruses. There are a lot of politics and ethics involved with genetic engineering in todays world. For those reasons, it is crucial for people living in America today to learn the differences between GMO facts and myths.
Making way down the fruit section in the grocery store, the mom picks out a box of strawberries. She thought it was just ordinary strawberries because there was nothing different about the fruit. However, what she did not know was that the strawberries contained genetically modified organisms. Also known as GMO, it is the removal of DNA from another species then artificially injected into an unrelated species: plant or animal (“GMO Education”). GMOs are also worldwide out in the market for anyone to buy. Although it may be in the open market throughout the world, not all consumers know what is inside their food. There are disputes about labeling GMOs: that it matters or that it does not matter. Scientists claim that GMOs are nontoxic, however others propose that the knowledge of risks are not explored enough to complete understand or agree that it is safe (“GMO Foods Should Be Labeled”). Either way,
Genetically modified organisms(GMO) is one of the most important issues around the world. GMOs are Organisms who are altered for product quality and improvement quality. Through the years GMOs have raised concerns on their beneficial attributes such as their resistance to disease, higher product yield, and improved nutrition. These concerns led GMO being worldwide how due to the negative effects GMOs have on health and the environment. However, the U.S. government actively uses GMO and does not understand the consequences of this product. To address this I do not actively support the government use of GMO because, it is linked to sickness of many people,and it severely harms the environment.
Has it ever dawned upon a person why GMO’s products are never labeled as GMO’s? Or why people that try to speak up against GMO products are “breaking the law” and are being sued for showing people the truth that they have the right to know? This is because GMO’s are bad. GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms) are being created in order to help make these companies do that exact, along with a few other things. GMO’s are plants or animals that have undergone a process wherein scientists alter their genes with DNA from different species of living organisms, bacteria, or viruses to get desired traits such as resistance to disease or tolerance of pesticides. Although genetically modified organisms produce greater yields of what is needed/wanted, it is more harmful than it is helpful for humans and other living organisms. Regardless of what it is doing to the environment, most of the people that grow and experiment with them do not care/understand the depths of the long term negative outcome it will have over the generations, and even now while it is being sold everywhere around the world. GMO’s are bad for people and the environment because they have more harmful impacts on people and the environment than good.
Imagine knowing what is really in the food on our dinner plates every night. Probably organic, naturally grown foods, right? That might be the case in some foods, but now a days, most crops are grow genetically modified (GM). GM foods are foods that have been altered with a gene or protein from another living organism to give it a quality or characteristic that it never had before. Some examples of GM foods are apples that do not brown and potatoes that do not bruise. These are made when the organisms are genetically modified to reduce the levels of enzymes that cause browning and bruising. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are unsafe. While they can be beneficial, GMOs are unhealthy for human consumption, cause environmental impacts, and have
In the United States today we consume genetically modified organisms in nearly everything we eat, and some of us are not even aware of it. Even though GMO’s have been around for nearly two decades, only recently they have been getting increasingly more attention. The author of The Threats From Genetically Modified Foods explains that “genetic modification refers to the manipulation of DNA by humans to change the essential makeup of plants”(Mather). However, a large portion of the American population is concerned about whether or not they should be wary of these new advancements in produce, if they should allow their food to be produced the way it has been done for centuries, and if they even have a choice. These are the concerns that are
A GMO, or genetically modified organism, is a plant, animal, microorganism or other organism whose genetic makeup has been altered using recombinant DNA methods (also called gene splicing), gene modification or transgenic technology. You may have heard of food being called bioengineered and/or “Frankenfood”. Genetic modification affects many of the products we consume on a daily basis. The most common products are corn, soybeans, tomatoes, potatoes, salmon, tobacco and cotton. The knowledge and research of GMOs with importance of labeling genetically modified (GMO) foods is pure common sense, and consumers should be informed just like we have the calorie and nutritional information.