The Many Faces Of Food

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.

“Should We Care About Genetically Modified Foods?” by John N. Shaw appeared in Food Safety News issue of February 1, 2010, as a feature under the health section on the controversy between the pros and cons of genetically modified foods (Also known as GMO, genetically modified organisms). The main idea of this article is to inform people of the benefits of GMOs . The author, John Shaw received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance with a minor in Marketing from the University of Arkansas in 2007, where he was a “leadership scholar.” In addition to his studies, he has worked as a research assistant with Food Law LL.M. Director Susan Schneider, interned with Wal-Mart Government and Corporate Affairs division, the Arkansas Attorney General Public Protection Division, and with United States Senator Blanche Lincoln. John has a passion for Food Law, sports, and outdoors. In the article, he states, “ I submit that I am no scientist; merely an interested student.” According to the article, he is passionate and has done sufficient research about the topic to support his argument.

In the essay “Genetically Modified Food: Watching What We Eat,” by Julie Cooper, she argues against the rampant use of genetically modified food (GMO) without any current form of regulation. Cooper discusses the possibility of health risks to those consuming foods with altered genes and the food’s capabilities to have far-reaching health risks. She continues with a discussion as to how and why the creation and use of the GMOs have become so unregulated. She then discusses the response, which is the public’s cry for their right to make informed choices. Other topics discusses are the political, environmental, and corporate ramifications of the rise of GMOs.

Genetically modified foods can be good and bad for humans and the economy. For example, if you do not cook an genetically modify foods it can cause us humans to become deathly ill. If the soil is not treated before the genetically modified seed is placed into the ground it can damage the soil and the earth around it.

In consideration of all the evidence presented, it is certain that genetic engineering technology presents certain dangers and health hazards that need to be thoroughly assessed before GM foods are absorbed into the global market. The assessment criteria for these products should also be revised with reference to case studies and reports highlighting potential harms of genetic modification (The Economist 19). Consumers should also be fully aware of the type of products displayed in the market in order to make informed choices.

During the course of this lab, we explored whether or not certain processed foods contained Genetically Modified Organisms. Genetically modified food is an important subject in the world today. Ever since Flavr Savr came out with their tomatoes grown from genetically modified seeds in 1994 genetically modified foods has become ever more popular amongst distributors of produce (Mestel, 2013). The world’s population has grown by around one billion in the last decade (US Bureau of the Census). At this rate, Genetically Modified Organisms within food products will increase dramatically, but is this for the best? There are many risk factors that have been brought up with genetically modified foods such as potential increase of

Dr. Praphul Joshi 10/23/2013 Controversial Public Health Issue There are several controversial issues confronting us today; from Universal Healthcare (Obama Care) to Stem Cell research, to vaccinations, to genetically engineered (GE)/genetically modified (GM) foods. However, I shall look at genetically modified foods as the controversial issue for this article. I shall look at an article from the mass media about this controversial public health issue and place emphasis on the message the document wants to convey and address any biases that may be within. In addition, I shall provide additional data or facts from another article to see if it supports or refutes the controversial message. It is my intention that this article will provide some clarity on genetically modified foods confronting us in the United States and the world over. Since the successful cloning of Dolly, the sheep, in July 5, 1996, Biotechnology has been praised and castigated at the same time.

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.

The genetic engineering of foods has, in one sense, been in existence for hundreds of years. The first time Gregor Mendel bred different varieties of pea plants to observe the various traits present in their offspring, the concept was born. Today, genetic engineering has developed into one of the most complex and advanced fields of scientific thinking, all the while provoking many questions and acquiring many opponents along the way. While there are compelling arguments presented for each side of the issue, the simple fact is that genetically modified (GM) foods are a reality, especially in the United States, as they are already present in many products that are consumed on a daily

(2003). Genetically Modified Food Could Harm the Environment. In N. Harris (Ed.), At Issue. Genetically Engineered Foods. San Diego: Greenhaven Press. (Reprinted from Risks of Genetic Engineering, 2007) Retrieved from

We can argue that, while not all genetically manipulated foods are safe, there are some which are safe to use. Food and Drug Administration (2013) genetically modified food substances developers must ensure that their product conform to some regulations on their safety. Some genetically manipulated foods are very safe as they meet the safety requirements which are similar to those of foods which are bred traditionally.(Hillstrom, 2012)

Another crucial way in which humans are harmed from genetically modified foods is obesity. Obesity stems from an abnormal diet with high calorie-dense foods which results in above average body fat. It is associated with increased risk of disease such as cardiovascular failure and liver cancer, disability and incapacitation from excess weight on the joints and bones, and even death from complications arising from the obesity – not the obesity itself. People are consciously ignorant about the foods they eat. “Obesity is the sixth most common disease worldwide. Approximately 1.1 billion adults and 10% of children are considered obese” (Haslam). Obesity is a chronic

Determining the safety of different GM foods cannot be generalised as different GM foods contain different genes in which are inserted in different ways. For this reason, the safety of GM foods must be assessed individually. The GM foods in which are currently available on international markets have all been risk assessed for safety and have shown to present little to no risk to human health. Likewise, there have been no reported effects on human health as a result of

Safe and nutritious foods are critical constitutive facets of human health throughout the globe. Approximately one-third of the global population in the so-called developing world are currently nutrition and food insecure. Both biological imperatives and nutritional concerns undergird the need to achieve food and nutrient security, which have functioned as the driving forces behind the efforts of scientists to attain equitable food distribution among the populations throughout the world (2012). Genetically modified food has recently become a quotidian feature in the American food industry, as the U.S. has emerged as the largest producer of food and crops containing genetically modified ingredients. Indeed, a litany of advertisements have proliferated that tout the benefits of biotechnology to solve endemic world crises. Genetically modified foods, which are also referred to as genetically engineered or biotech foods that have been modified in a laboratory setting in order to cultivate favorable and desirable traits that boost resistance in crops to herbicides while also enhancing their nutritional content. Scientists estimate that over sixty percent of processed foods in American grocery stores contain genetically modified ingredients that most consumers are not even aware of (Miller, 2005, p. 291). The most salient types of genetically modified foods include cotton, corn, soybeans, and grape seed oil. Questions about the safety of consuming genetically modified foods have

There is no doubt that healthy food is one of the basis of healthy life. But how to recognize what food is healthy and what is dangerous?American grocery stores are full of nice looking fruits and vegetables. Meat, fish, dairy, and pastry products also look very attractive. But are they safe? What do we actually eat? These questions are very important. In last decades wesee cancer epidemics in the U.S. Also, masses of people suffer from asthma and allergy here. What is the reason for these terrible diseases? One of the potential reasons is using genetically modified (GM) food that is a hazard for the human health. First of all, GM products may cause toxic effects. Second, these novel foods create new allergenic risks. And third, genetically engineered (GE) food is a potent cancer tumor promoter. By the beginning of 2010, a full menu of GM foods and crops have made their way into kitchens and shopping carts nationwide. Analysts estimate that about 60-75 percent of foods commonly found on supermarket shelves or at our favorite restaurant would “test positive” for these genetically engineered crops. What does it mean for us, consumers? It means that we need to be knowledgeable about how dangerous GM foods might be. GE products clearly have the potential to be toxic and a threat to our health. For example, in 1989 a GE brand of L-tryptophan, a common over-the-counter nutritional