Not many people notice much more than the calorie index on the back of their food products. Although most consumers have some awareness about the attributes of organic agriculture, they know very little about agriculture biotechnology. What if I told you that most of the food you were putting into your mouth was genetically modified and you had no idea. Corn for instance is labeled as an insecticide rather than a food. The FDA strongly encourages companies to label genetically modified food as well as to test the foods for allergens, yet this is not a mandatory procedure and few companies follow through with these recommendations. By making the labeling of genetically modified foods mandatory, society will be aware of side effects associated with GMO food, people with allergies can avoid allergic reactions to GMO foods, and society would be able to choose weather the want to consume GMO foods or not. Resolved: That Genetically Modified Foods should be labeled.
I. Society will be aware of side effects associated with GMO products.
a. Wide range of health hazards associated with genetically modified foods.
“Proven health hazards from genetically engineered foods already mentioned include the production of carcinogens, a rise in level of toxins, resistance to antibiotics, and allergic reactions”.
Epstein, D. R. (n.d.). Untitled. Retrieved April 1, 2009, from http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/GEessays/GEF%20labelling.htm
b. GM foods can have hazardous genes that can be transferable to human genes.
“The effects of every gene is determined by the total situation in the cell. When genes are transferred to a foreign environment, their effects is therefore inevitably unpredictable. Unexpected substances may appear, which may be harmful.”
Genetic Engineering - important news. (n.d.). Retrieved April 1, 2009, from http://www.psrast.org/newsin.h
II. People with allergies to GMO foods can avoid allergic reactions.
a. After GM soy was introduced to the UK soy allergies jumped 50 percent.
“Soy allergies jumped 50% in the U.K. just after GM soy was introduced.2 If GM soy was the cause, it may be due to several things. The GM protein that makes Roundup Ready Soy resistant to the herbicide does not have a history of safe use in humans and may be an allergen. In fact, sections of its amino acid sequence are identical to known allergens”
Smith, J. (n.d.). Article point of view: genetically modified foods unsafe? Evidence that links GM foods to allergic responses mounts genetic engineering & biotechnology news - Biotechnology from bench to business. Retrieved April 1, 2009, from http://www.genengnews.com/articles/chitem.aspx?aid=2252
b. Unpredicted changes were discovered in the DNA GM soy.
“A mutated section of soy DNA was found near the transgene, which may contribute to some unpredicted effects. Moreover, between this scrambled DNA and the transgene is an extra transgene fragment, not discovered until years after soy was on the market.”
Smith, J. (n.d.). Article point of view: genetically modified foods unsafe? Evidence that links GM foods to allergic responses mounts genetic engineering & biotechnology news - Biotechnology from bench to business. Retrieved April 1, 2009, from http://www.genengnews.com/articles/chitem.aspx?aid=2252
III. Society should have the choice weather they want to consume GMO foods.
a. There is not enough research to prove safety with GMO foods. “Americans are eating genetically modified food without their knowledge. There is not enough research to prove the safety of inserting genes into fruits, vegetables, and other foods.”
McCuen. (n.d.). Should genetically modified foods be labeled?. Retrieved April 1, 2009, from http://www.speakout.com/activism/issue_briefs/1130b-1.html
b. Not labeling GMO foods shows a general disregard to free society.
“The overwhelming number of people naturally want to know what is in the food they are buying. Labeling for all kinds of ingredients is already required. In many cases the need for labeling of certain kinds of ingredients is not as urgent as for labeling of genetically engineered foods. Free choice in the food we buy is dependent on information on the content of the food. You cannot identify genetically engineered food just by looking at it. Without labeling citizens are denied what should be their fundamental right. Labeling genetically engineered foods in no way restricts the rights of those people who do decide to purchase and consume them.”
Epstein, D. R. (n.d.). untitled. retrieved April 1, 2009, from http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/GEessays/GEF%20labelling.htm
In conclusion, by making it mandatory for GM foods to be labeled society will become more aware of the side effects associated with GMO foods, people with allergens will be able to identify GMO foods that they are allergic too, and society will be able to make the decision to buy GMO products.
Vocabulary Term:
boisterous: enthusiastic, loud
conformist: someone who follows the majority
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