Mandatory Labeling Essay

A GMO is a genetically modified organism that goes through the process of genetic engineering. This is when genes of one organism are extracted, altered, and then artificially placed into another organism to then grow. We typically see GMOs in the food we consume every day. These foods include fruits and vegetables, however the most common organisms that are genetically engineered include, corn, soy, and cotton. It is ultimately the unnatural cross breeding of plants, animals, bacteria, and virus genes (Non-GMO Project). But now why is there a debate for placing a label to notify consumers of GMOs in their foods? Do we know the potential harm that GMOs can cause? We have the right to know what we are putting into our bodies and what is found in our everyday foods.

In November of 2014, a bill called Proposition 105 was on the ballot in Colorado that, if passed, would require any foods with genetically modified ingredients, to be labeled. Although the bill did not pass, the debate on whether GMOs (genetically modified organisms) should be labeled or not rages on. As defined by dictionary.com, a GMO is defined as “An organism or microorganism whose genetic material has been altered by means of genetic engineering.” This genetic alteration that takes place, is not possible in nature, which has some people apprehensive about GMOs overall safety. Bills like Proposition 105 have already passed in the states of Vermont, Connecticut, and Maine, giving these three states the same rights that 64 countries around

GMO is the acronym for Genetically Modified Organism, and are organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory. These are measures taken in order to make food last longer. This method is reasonably questioned by some consumers who question how safe GMOS are. Those are the same consumers who demand their food to be labeled.

The topic of Genetically modified organisms is highly disputed. Genetically modified organisms, GMOs for short, are organisms that have had their genetic material altered or modified in an unnatural way (Nowicki, S.,2012). There are various organisms that are modified in the world today, such as, plants, animals, and microorganisms. There are numerous individuals and companies, such as, Whole Foods that see genetically modifying organisms as unethical, deceitful, and believe that everyone is entitled to know whether or not to ingest genetically modified organisms (The Non-GMO Project, n.d.). In contrast, there are various individuals/organizations, such as, The American Medical Association that see genetically modifying organisms as

Genetically modified organisms should be labeled because all of the health risks are still unknown. According to the article, GMO Foods Should be Labeled by Ajita White, they state, “Specific engineered

According to Richard Dahl who wrote To Label or Not to Label: California Prepares to Vote on Genetically Engineered. “It is estimated that 60-70% of the crops that are on grocery store shelves are GMO crops. Which that being said, corn and soy beans make up the largest majority of the GMO crops in stores”(Dahl1). Mrs Dupont’s article, GMO corn, soybeans dominate the US Market, says that 60-70 percent of processed foods are genetically altered.(Dupont1). Which is a staggeringly low number of people being aware of what is on the store shelves that they shop at. If most people are not aware that that genetically modified foods are in the stores, why do so many people feel that they need to be carefully regulated? Genetically Modified Organisms shouldn’t be regulated. But what exactly does it mean to regulate an item? Well, Webster Dictionary stated that regulated means to make rules or laws that dictate or control something. (Webster1). Meaning that to regulate GMO’s, the government will step in to monitor and or to regulate the use of the seeds or feed which are genetically modified. The Government does not need to regulate GMO’s when they produce higher yields when compared to that of organic crops, no true health issues have been linked to the consumption of GMO’s, lastly genetically modified foods are easier to produce and maintain due to the modified properties of the plant.

It’s important to know what you’re consuming in your everyday life. A majority of the vegetables you’re consuming are actually genetically modified, and you wouldn't even know it. The United States does not require food companies or manufacturers to label the products that have been genetically modified. A poll conducted by NBC news recorded that, “ninety three percent of Americans believe the government should require labels on food that has been genetically modified of bio-engineered (and) fifty-seven percent also say they'd be less likely to buy foods labeled as genetically modified”. Genetically modified foods should not be sold for human use. There are few test done in order to test the safety of the foods. There is a risk of cross-contamination

The general argument made by the editors of Scientific American in the article “Fight the GMO Food Scare” is the labeling of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) products is superfluous because of the innocuous hazards of GMOs. According to the editors, “instead of providing people with useful information, mandatory GMO labels would only intensify the misconception that so-called Frankenfoods endanger people's health.” Here, the editors are basically saying that labeling would have a harmful effect, rather than a helpful one (as intended), since the requirement would make it seem like these foods are dangerous. In addition, the editors claim that labeling GMO products would cause a “family's yearly food bill by as much as $400”as “conventional crops often require more water and pesticides than GMOs do”. The editors also argue that “such

My first reason that GMO foods should be labeled is because, ”In 2013, the journal ‘Food and Chemical Toxicology’... linked the herbicide Roundup and Roundup-tolerant GM corn to cancer and premature death in rats.”(GMOs: Pros and Cons) If rats get sick from eating GMO foods, then imagine what it could be slowly doing to our bodies. We, as consumers, have the right to know exactly what we are eating and how that is affecting our bodies.

There are certain issues pertaining food when speaking of GMOs. For example, GMOs pose a threat when addressing those who have food allergies. People with allergies could possibly inadvertently eat foods containing transgenes from foods in which they are allergic to. In addition, there are those who have faith traditions or of are dietary laws that forbid or disallow them from eating certain things. Foods that are genetically modified could cause these people to accidently infringe accustomed dietary laws. Much of the dispute about the use of GMOs in food revolves around labeling and

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.

A genetically modified organism, or GMO, is an organism that has had its DNA altered or modified in some way through genetic engineering. The modified organism then grows and multiplies, showing the enhanced phenotype in the new generation. According to Mohammad Ibrahim, who is a Msc Student in Computational Biology, gene edited organisms have a modified “genome to correct bad mutation(s) that took place in the very organism genome itself”(Mohammad). The main difference between the two is that one organism will produce an expected trait through a new generation and the other organism will be modified to produce the expected within itself. Furthermore, Dr. Mulligard of Harvard stated in a NYT article These foods aren't genetically modified but they’re edited, that “the objection that people have is a more visceral and vague objection to messing with DNA… it is hard to see that the public would see the difference” (Mulligard). Dr. Mulligard asserted that although there are differences with GMO and gene edited organisms, the public would still view downward towards gene editing as well. Gene editing may have a great potential over GMO, however since individuals tend to perceive negatively and have a vague objection to anything that has genetical changes, anything that has a DNA change should be

According to The Center for Food Safety, "it has been estimated that upwards of 75% of processed foods on supermarket shelves- from soda to soup, crackers to condiments- contain genetically engineered ingredients” (Center for Food Safety). With genetically modified organisms taking over supermarkets across the nation, consumers are beginning to question their safety and how they are affecting our health. Since the Federal Food and Drug Association (FDA) deemed GMOs safe for human consumption, manufacturers have not been required by law to label their products as so. What are the current laws on the labeling of GMOs? The current FDA labeling laws state that “food manufacturers may voluntarily label their food with information about whether

There are some misconceptions dealing with the finished product of genetically modified crops. The production of these crops seems to be a controversial topic on rather or not the crop is safe for the consumers. The long term effect on genetically modified food though is unknown. According to a web page on Opposing View Points, “The scientific evidence on the impact of GM food on human health is inconclusive, and while no evidence has been discovered so far showing that GM food is harmful, it is possible that ingesting GM food could have long term effects on health”(Schelmetic). Another valid argument that is presented is rather or not food that has been genetically modified should be labeled as such. Opposing View Points also has an argument over this matter, “In the future, there will likely be a global fight over whether GM foods should be labeled,

According to Nature.com, genetically modified organisms are organisms where “we can incorporate new genes from one species into a completely unrelated species through genetic engineering” (Phillips 1). These organisms, plants specifically, have been modified to increase desired traits such as better resistance to herbicides or enhanced nutrition. Though natural breeding can improve certain traits, it is time consuming and not always precise. On the other hand, genetic modification can create plants with the exact desired trait quickly and with great precision. While genetically modified food seems good on paper, many people argue that there are many reasons to not use GMOs. According to Joseph Hobbs, the EU allows GMOs, due to the World Trade Organization, but they must be labeled, yet, “some member countries, notably Greece, have defied EU guidelines and imposed outright bans on GM foods and crops” (Hobbs 86). In the United States is where the most controversy is, for there really are no regulations on genetically modified