Summary: The Misconceptions Of Gmos

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.

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.

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.

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.

The world we live in today is in no doubt constantly changing all thanks to the technological and scientific advancements. These advancements are what have led to the birth of molecular genetics which is the genesis of improvements in the field of agriculture. Food is a very crucial part of human survival, and while it may be abundant in many developed countries, the same cannot be said about the developing countries. A 2015 report by FAO on the state of food insecurity sates that there are about 795 million people sleeping hungry because of shortage of food with the vast majority coming from developing countries (2015, FAO). The rise of genetically modified food in the recent years however has helped to provide a solution to some of these food shortage problems. Generally genetically modified foods otherwise known as GMO foods are foods that result from crops whose genetic makeup have been modified or altered. This happens through a process that’s referred to as recombinant DNA that serves to give plants traits that are desirable with the use of molecular techniques. Some of the most bioengineered foods include tomatoes, corn, cotton, rice, papaya, wheat among others. While it has had many benefits and successes, GM foods still have risks and the question of safety always arises when it comes to discussions.

This article is about the Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) labeling law that President Obama signed, the law allows companies to label their products in anyway they want to indicate the presence of GMO products. This article discusses the controversy between both sides of the GMO labeling debate, the pro labeling side desiring to know what they are consuming and the against labeling side expressing their fear that the label of GMO on a product would make consumers turn away unnecessarily. This law was a compromise to both sides as it requires a form of labeling that makes it possible for inquiring consumers to find what is in their food but also does not require companies to clearly state the presence of GMO.

GMOs have been around for quite some time. Farmers have been cross-breeding and modifying their crops for thousands and thousands of years. GMOs were originally made to create the best crops for farmers to farm and distribute. Elton Robinson, a editor for Delta Farm Press says that Genetically-engineered or GMO crops are safe, reduced in chemical use and contribute to the long-term profitability of farmers all over the world (Robinson). Through these words he conveys that GMOs are vital. A world without genetically engineered crops would be horrible, food costs would soar, yields would go down, input costs would rise and many farmers would have to resort to less-environmentally friendly methods of controlling

It can be difficult to discern as to why there is so much controversy over genetically modified ingredients within our food supply. I myself have heard so many accounts of the opposing sides to this debate and some things can get misconstrued along the way. The article “FAQs about GMOs” by Jean Halloran presents specific questions and answers related to the topic of genetically modified foods, or GMOs. Includes the effects that GMOs have on consumers’ health, social aspects of labeling GMOs, and environmental influences of GMOs.

Genetically Modified Organisms, or GMOs, are genetically modified plants, animals, or microorganisms whose genetic information has been modified by DNA-editing methods such as DNA splicing or gene modification. This modification creates unstable combinations of plant, animal, or bacterial genes that are not found in nature (GMO Facts). It is the right of the consumer to know exactly what they are consuming. However, in the United States, it is not required that food containing GMOs has to be labeled, despite the fact that in 2015, 93% of Americans believed that genetically modified food should be labeled (GMO Facts). Foods containing GMOs should indeed be labeled because the consumer deserves to know what is in their food.

Take a stroll through a grocery store, how many ‘NON-GMO’ labels and stickers do you see gleaming at you? Most-likely, you see many more of these labels than you would have ten years ago. But why is there such pride in containing non-GMO foods? I do not think there should be any dignity in disregarding or marginalizing Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). Contrary to popular belief, organisms have been genetically modified for thousand of years through selective breeding. However, the population has been increasingly concerned with the safety and validity of GMOs. Many companies that produce genetically modified organisms, such as Dow Agroscience, have become vilified by anti-GMO activists. While genetically modifying organisms may sound like a method out of a science-fiction book, GMOs are much safer and reliable than many people think. I believe that genetically modified foods are absolutely necessary to support the ever-growing and

GMOs or genetically modified organisms are changing the things we consume with genetically transformed foods, these GMOs have unpleasantly affected our health and are affecting farmers who locally grow organic products. These modified organisms are resistant to pesticides, GMOs are created by splicing genes of different species that are combined through genetic engineering (GE), something that is impossible to do in nature (A Collaborative Initiative Working to Ensure the Sustained Availability of Non-GMO Options.). Consuming these genetically reformed and more processed foods can lead to diseases and even cancer (Genetically Modified Food). For the most part in the US, we are not required to label if our products are genetically modified

With a current population of seven billion people, the demand for food is incredibly high and is only going to increase. Due to this demand, we are pressed to find ways to create more food with the same amount of land. Historically we have always just kept our best seeds allowing plants to adapt and improve naturally, but this technique has not been able to keep up with the growing demand. To keep up with this incredible demand, new gene splicing techniques were used to create genetically modified organisms (GMO). These allow for much quicker, better, and cheaper yields. Despite the common misconception that GMOs are harmful to your health, GMOs are being used to improve the world in many different ways.

. So why aren’t GMOs dominating the food industry? There has been extensive research on modifying all kinds of organisms, but research is still being done. Aside from the research that still must be done, education to the public must be provided about GMOs. According to Vecchione, Feldman, and Wunderlich “The results show a strong, positive correlation between consumer attitudes towards foods not containing GMOs and purchasing behaviour (Pearson’s r¼0.701, p50.001) with lesser correlations between knowledge and behaviour (Pearson’s r¼0.593, p50.001) and knowledge and attitudes (Pearson’s r¼0.413, p50.001)” (Vecchione et al). which goes to show how the media has gone to influence the public in a significant manner. GMO labelling would assist

Many different types of foods we consume on a day-to-day basis claim to be all naturally grown, but is this entirely true? Majority of vegetables, cereals amongst other types of foods we intake are genetically modified. [1] The production of GMO’s is only increasing, and all around the world. [1] As a result of this, society should educate themselves and be able to understand the significance of GMO’s, and how they affect the environment as well as general human health, especially with how the use and creation is growing and steadily entering the diets of many families. [1] Do GMO’s truly pose a threat towards human dietary intake as well as the general environment? Or is it a misconception?

Many people have clean diets and healthy every day habits. Well, that is what people are led to believe anyway. Unfortunately, these “healthy” choices might be loaded with pesticides that will be ingested on a daily basis. The article “The Good, Bad and Ugly about GMOs” discusses facts about Gentically Modified Organisms and the seriousness of the issue. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are foods produced to meet exact specifications. A plant or animal that has been genetically altered to grow in what are usually tough situations. The positive cases for GMOs are the reduced needs for pesticides, herbicides, less greenhouse emissions, and increased production of foods. These vast amount of crops can be sent to starving third world countries. Modifying foods has gone on for centuries, and these are respectable goals. This brings up the question of what biotechnology is used for, why it is banned in some countries, the overall effects of genetically modified organisms, and why Americans should be concerned.