The Pros And Cons Of Genetically Modified Foods

Did you know that at least 70% of the foods on the shelves are genetically modified? Genetically modified foods are produced from organisms that have had specific changes introduced into their DNA using the methods of genetic engineering. Typically, food produced using GE food processing aids or enzymes, and the meat, milk, and egg products derived from animals that have eaten GE feed or been treated with GE therapeutics or vaccines, have not been considered to be GE foods (CAST). Genetically engineered components such as oil from GM soybeans, sugar from genetically modified beets, and flour from genetically modified corn also show up in lots of processed food (Kintisch). Although the oils, sugars, and flours in question come from genetically

Many of the food on the shelves contain GMO and we as citizens have the right to know what we are eating. Although the FDA allows voluntary labeling, not many companies use it in fear of customers not choosing their product. It has been estimated that at least 70% of processed food items in the supermarket contain at least one ingredient derived from a GE crop, often the additive soy lecithin or various oils (CAST). Genetically engineered components such as the oil from GM soybeans, the sugar from GM beets, and the flour from GM corn also show up in lots of processed foods today (Kintisch). A right to know law that gave us the benefit of knowing what is in our food is Prop 37. If enabled, it would have required labeling on products that were genetically modified (Bittman). Companies that develop genetically engineered seeds and sold them to small farmers such as Monsanto spent millions of dollars to defeat Prop 37. Opponents of GMO labeling would argue that it would be too broad. Animals and crops are genetically engineered in some time of way. There are foods that are not genetically modified but may be processed with genetically engineered enzymes or

Since GMO’s have began in the 1990’s there has been a promise of more food and a promised of crops with more yields. But there has been evidence that traditional farming has accomplished more than GM crops. For example, recently published data show that conventional breeding of corn and soy increases yields to a greater extent than GM technologies (David Schubert). Big companies that develop and distribute the genetically modified seeds have run small farmers out of business. In order to have a source of income more than 16.5 million small farmers have cultivated genetic engineering crops (CAST). GM crops have become herbicide resistant over time. Over a course of 16 years, there has been a massive increase in herbicide use— 527 million pound (David Schubert). If foods were to be labeled, it may influence the customer’s choice. When customers stop buying genetically modified foods, big companies such as Monsanto will lose business. Monsanto will lose money and become bankrupt, just like the small farmers. There would be fair competition between Monsanto and small