Food And Food : The Use Of GMO Safety In Food

In todays society, people are more concerned about what they put into their body. They eat healthy and maintain a stable diet, but unknown to a number of these people is their food may have been tampered with in the form of Genetically Modified Organisms or, for short, GMO's. Genetically Modified Organisms are plants or animals whose DNA has been altered to favor a certain characteristic or trait which is already in the DNA. This includes enhancing the DNA in plants to make them bigger, invincible to pests, or invincible towards weeds. Although, the reason why GMO's are a controversial topic is because of lack of knowledge. Genetically Modified Organisms are risky and potentially to dangerous to be handling because of the unknown side effects

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.

Approximately eighty percent of food eaten in the United States contains GMOs, but not many people know what they are actually consuming from their food sources (Prah). Genetically modified organism, also known as genetically modified organisms engineered in a lab by scientists that alter the genes of plants and animals. By fixating DNA from other organisms into America’s food sources, they create substances that are detrimental to the health of human beings. In addition to this, these genetically modified organisms are completely foreign to the plants and animals they undergo; their genes can become damaged from inserting the genes of the organisms. This unnatural process can interfere with a metabolic pathway in the plant or animal. In addition, studies have shown that on average forty-four percent of people had the “Round-up Ready” herbicide, glyphosate, which is used on genetically modified crops, found in their bodies (Stonebrook). Both, the genetically modified organisms and the chemicals used on them, cause several problems to occur in humans and other organisms which consume GMOs. These include tumors, damaged immune systems, allergies, and infertility; this is dangerous to the health of humans and to their regular body processes. Americans have the right to know what is going into their bodies and how these man-made GMOs are affecting them. By the government

Genetically Modified Organisms are foods that have had their DNA altered scientifically to either produce bigger crops, resist diseases, and control insects as well as weeds and other crop related hazards. While the companies that manufacture GMO’s throughout the world state that these crops are safe for human consumption, many people disagree with the companies claim of safety. Several scientific studies that have been conducted on GMO’s show that these foods have the potential to cause significant harm to humans. Lab animals fed these foods developed numerous diseases ranging from intestinal diseases, blood disorders, organ malfunctions, abnormal cell growth and various cancers (Lendman). Unfortunately, GMO’s are found in many of the fresh and processed foods that Americans eat on a daily basis. Most consumers are completely unaware that their food contains GMO’s, due to a lack of federal regulations on them and also a lack of laws requiring adequate labeling that would inform consumers about the presence of GMO’s in their food.

Genetically Modified Organisms, or GMO’s, are organisms that have had genes from a different organism implanted into their own genetic code in order to produce a new result (“Genetically engineered foods”). This practice has elicited polar responses across the globe, for a multitude of reasons. Besides the obvious reason, being the morality of changing an organism's DNA for human benefit, one frequently noted problem is the monopolization of GMO’s by the company Monsanto, whose name is nearly synonymous with GMO’s due to their involvement with these crops. Monsanto has been at the center of many controversies regarding GMO’s, and is even considered to be ranked third to last for reputation among all major American companies (Bennett). Most

Do you like to keep your life at risk every time you eat a meal or snack? Citizens are becoming at risk of health issues because of genetically modified food. Genetically modified items are food that is made with the dna of other organism’s. By eating the GMO food people’s lives are at risk.

In almost all of the foods that the average person consumes there reside harmful ingredients and chemicals. Citizens and scientists alike have posed questions and concern about not only what a GMO is, but why the government refuses to pass GMO-labeling laws, while still claiming GMOs harmless characteristics. GMO-containing foods should be labeled to the fullest extent due to the fact that people have the right to know what they are consuming, regardless of what the government and big-box companies have to say about the chemicals and their prospective side effects. By not passing these laws, the government does citizens a huge (and unlawful) disfavor because of the controlled factors of what is labeled and what is consumed. The government

The 1990’s ushered in more than Gameboys and a Nebraska – Florida State college football rivalry. It was also a mad-scientists’ delight with the introduction of Dolly, a cloned sheep, and genetic engineering of food. Hoping to create a powerful agricultural tool, chemical companies set out to rearrange the building blocks of life and came back with genetically modified (GM) crop varieties that resist herbicide applications and produce insecticide during the growing process. Whether you are for, against, or indifferent to GM ingredients in your food, consumers should be informed on the questionable practices behind growing GM crops and they have a right to know what they are eating through food labeling.

When it comes to food, plants are the structural foundation of the food chain, without it, we animals couldn’t exist. In the past two decades, one breakthrough had taken major controversies in the food industry is GMO which stands for genetically modified organisms such as plant ingredient in a food or as standalone food for example corn or soybean has its genetic blueprint altered through technology by scientists in laboratories in a way to gain development benefits. Some are against this practice based on how loosely this practice gets regulated and concern rise over the amount of power this gives to food corporations that are making GMO foods as well as concerns of health risks to our bodies when food contain GMO get consumed. It’s

Much of the public concern surrounding the safety of GMOs stems from the process of actually creating them. This is admittedly not a natural process, which is a surefire way to raise critic’s eyebrows in doubting their safety. However, there is no evidence that supports these myths. The Committee on Genetically Engineered Crops, The National Academy of Science, and the Board on Agriculture and Natural Recourses all agree after extensive testing and observation that there is no additional harm in the consumption of GMO food. The research conducted in animal studies, as well as chemical analysis of the crops, show no indication that GMOs are negatively affecting human health. The next allegation hurled at GMOs is that they may have

Americans deserve to know what they are consuming and they do not want to involuntarily be a part of the ongoing experiment for the side effects of eating or drinking genetically modified organisms. There are currently 61 countries that already label genetically modified organisms, GMOs, and these countries make up over 40% of the world’s population (Kingston). However, GMO labeling is not required in the U.S. Although a recent survey found that 92% of Americans want GMOs to be labeled on their food and drinks, the federal government refuses to establish food labeling laws (“Where GMOs Hide In Your Food”). A genetically modified, or genetically engineered,

Lately, regardless of where anyone looks whether at their local market or in their local grocery store, there is someone selling Genetically Modified Organisms/Genetically Engineered (GMO/GE) foods. GMO’s/GE’s can come in a range of different varieties from fresh vegetables and fruits to various medications or even flowers. Numerous individuals do not think twice about what they buy, but as the trend of GMO’s/GE’s continue, these individuals might have to think twice about the effects. However, depending on how they utilize GMO’s/GE’s, they can and have already contributed to both beneficial and damaging effects. Scientists though, continue to look towards the future of food where one day they believe the benefits will out way the dangers

Some subjects are better left unsaid; however, when it concerns the heath of millions of people, it should be common knowledge. It is acknowledged in every country that citizens are not privy to everything their government owes. For the most part, this is an accepted part of life as widespread dissemination of the information could lead to a safety risk or do more harm than good. Unfortunately, the matter of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) being used in food in countries around the world is not shared knowledge, even when it can potentially lead to harmful effects. The use of GMOs in an everyday meal is a controversial trend with a growing audience attempting to uncover the dangerous effects of the biotechnology and how it changes life for the worse.

Genetic modification (GM) is a fairly new area of scientific interest in the public eye. Genetically modified food is produced by taking the genes of one organism and inserting it into the genes of another (Thompson 8). GM is often done to increase product yield and to resist drought or insects (“Agricultural Seeds”). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) claim there is no reason for GM foods to be labeled or further research. There is no justification for the proposed bill, House Resolution (H.R.) 1599, which would make it illegal to require Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) labeling (Byrne). H.R. 1599 is also called the DARK act, or “Denying Americans the Right to Know” act. A large part of the American dream has always been based on our ability to make personal decisions. The DARK act and other pro-GMO campaigns are taking that freedom away. We have seen this form of government control throughout American history. It is time to change that aspect of our culture. Consumers have the right to know about their food. Time and time again, we have seen the United States government take away our personal choices.

Organic food companies, chefs and consumer groups have stepped up their efforts, so far unsuccessfully, to get the government to exercise more oversight of engineered foods. Their argument is that GM seeds and pollen are floating from field to field and contaminating pure crops. These groups have been bolstered by a growing network of consumers who are wary of processed and modified foods (“Shoppers Wary of GM Foods Find They’er Everywhere”). However, acreage planted for GM pharmaceutical crops