Kaui Lonzaga Mrs. Noa Junior Seminar 9 January 2015 OMG! GMO! Out of the 61 countries of the world 40% consist of the world’s population have turned to labeling GMO products. United States and Canada are one of the few who do not have labeling mandatory. Genetically modified organisms are on the rise and countries are rapidly starting to make labeling mandatory. The reason being why Hawaii should make labeling mandatory is one GMO’s unsafe past in Hawaii and around the world. Two, GMO’s does not only stand as a risk to humans but threatens our environment. Lastly, we the people of Hawaii and United States of America have the right to know what is in our food that we are consuming. Due to the up rise of genetically modified organisms in Hawaii, the government should start taking action and make labeling GMO foods mandatory. The existence of genetically modified crops has been in our country and the rest of the world for numerous years. In 1980 the first GMO patent was issued resulting in a 5 to 4 Supreme Court ruling. This started the rise and development of genetically modified organisms. Genetically modified organisms has been a growing conflict because there isn’t any long-term research conducted for human consumption. As a result of GMO foods the people of Hawaii and the rest of the world whom consumes GMO foods are exposed to its chemicals are at risk. A few things that have been done about GMO’s in Hawaii are the Maui County established the
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
The Federal Government should require labeling of GMO’s on genetically modified foods. The people deserve to know what they put in their bodies. Some of the food is very unhealthy and some people are completely unaware of that fact. Many food companies do not put out all the information about what goes into the food in which we consume, if the Federal government were to require labeling of all GMO foods then the people could be well educated about what they put inside their bodies, and know if it is good for them or not. GMO stands for genetically modified foods, a genetically modified food is “..an organism whose genome has been altered by the techniques of genetic engineering so that its DNA contains one or more genes not normally found
Whether or not to require labeling of GM foods is a major issue in the persistent debate over the risks and benefits of foods crops that are produced using biotechnology. Bills requiring compulsory labeling have been introduced and proposed in different levels, but not evenly implemented. Some of the common genetically engineered crops include soya beans, canola, corn and cotton. The US Food and Drug Administration policy on the labeling of GM food requires labeling is the food has significantly distinct nutritional property (US FDA par 2). Further, labeling is required if the GM food product includes an allergen that consumers may not expect to find in such a product, or if the product contains a toxicant that is beyond acceptable limits (US FDA par 3).
I enjoyed reading your primary task posting this week on the positive and negative aspects of the mandatory labeling on GMO products. Furthermore, I completely agree with all three of the pros to mandatory labeling you listed in the forum post. In fact, I found it to be especially thoughtful when you stated that requiring labels will create a sense of accountability for the quality and type of ingredients being added to our food supply by farmers and producers. In my opinion, if farmers wish to provide produce and livestock for public consumption, they should definitely be obliged to ensure the safety of the products they are supplying.
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
Writer, Michael specter who has been awarded the Global Health Council's annual Excellence award twice spend his time writing about developing issues such as agricultural biotechnology, before he served as the national science reporter. Specter claims that there is no need for GMO labels and it does not make “scientific sense”(Specter. Par. 6) to include them on food products. Specter main concern is just because food companies are adding GMO labels to the product does not give the consumer enough information about what the actual ingredients are. “They would tell you how your food is put together, but not what it contains. How could that help anyone make a sound decision about his health”(Specter. Par. 6)? The public is getting more curious
For years, the plants that are native to Hawai‘i have been endangered by the world’s newest and greatest inventions that come out every so often. An advanced science, well known as GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) has recently struck our islands within the turn of the century, creating a drastic revision to our social structure. It has changed the way food is viewed and consumed all over the world, but particularly here in our home. This outburst of Genetically Engineered (GE) products has not only brought forth concerns regarding health risks but it has also caused a questioning to our government, and our agencies that approve these products to be produced on a mass scale.
Although people have been made aware of the many risks that long-term consumption of GMOs poses, many people continue to consume the harmful chemicals that come with GMOs. This is due to the negligence of the Texas legislature to make GMO labels a requirement in order to be sold. By having San Antonians and other Texans campaign and petition for this requirement, change will undoubtedly occur. As seen in Vermont, Connecticut, and Maine, making GMO labels required is a problem that can be feasibly solved by the collaboration of both concerned citizens and legislators. This collaboration, Texan citizens will not only be able to know which foods contain dangerous pathogens through chemicals, but will also be able to make the conscious decision of choosing what goes in their
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
Do you want to know what you are eating? Have you gotten sick over the past few years and not known why? Many people have gotten sick over the increase of food products with GMOs within them. Over the years many have argued that GMOs aren’t what is causing the increase in death and the decrease in birth, but many say it is the problem. GMOs should be labeled on our foods today because of the amount of health problems, and consumers want to know what they are eating. After all, it is what is going into our bodies.
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.
Food is everywhere. It is an integral part of society and is a major part of everyday life. We plan our days around mealtimes, pack snacks for work and school, and visit the grocery store at least once a week. However, even our best, well thought out efforts to achieve a healthy lifestyle leave us mostly in the dark about what we are really putting into our bodies. GMOs, Genetically Modified Organisms, are organisms that have been bioengineered, planted, and sold to the public as food. These organisms are unnatural and have proven to be harmful. Unfortunately, the labeling of foods containing GMOs is not government mandated. Monsanto, the largest GMO producing conglomerate, will go to all lengths to convince the public that their product is safe and does not need to be labeled for consumers, despite the fact that countries around the world have stood up and refused to sell their products to their citizens. Unfortunately, the United States is not only not among these countries, but the government has shown little care for the global issue. Everyone has the right to know exactly what they are putting into their bodies and feeding their loved ones. For this reason I will be exploring how, with the existing research, GMOs are FDA approved, as well as how this relates to Monsanto’s fight against GMO labeling.
By the year 2012, over 70 percent of the processed foods in the U.S can be linked to genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. Despite this strong dependency on the manipulation of genetic material, there are many questions concerning long-lasting impacts such food could bring. The government of the United States of America should enforce stricter restrictions on the consumption, production, and availability of food products containing genetically modified organisms. Genetically engineered foods have detrimental impacts on the environment, are linked to large, monopolizing industries, and do not reduce world hunger.
From a ‘preservative-free’ foot long ear of corn to an ‘all-natural’ refrigerator-sized cow, a lot of foods in our grocery stores are GMOs. GMOs are foods that humans have genetically altered to benefit consumers, but as this new technology is arising, more and more questions about whether it’s actually helpful have surfaced. GMOs should be labeled better because more and more people want to know what is in the food they’re buying, and because companies are deceiving the public with indirect labeling.
Failing to label GMO foods can put the consumers health and safety at risk and, in a way, violates basic rights. Instead of worrying about the stigmas or a baffling tag, an easy-to-read symbol or warning should be placed on all GMO foods. This would contribute largely to the maximum benefit of those unknowingly purchasing GMO foods