Modifying the natural makeup, the genes of a specific species that governs the physical property through the process of genetic engineering to develop discrete and unique organisms is knows as Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). Genetically Modified crops, which includes plants, animals, and/or microorganisms have had their genetic makeup altered by gene splicing or transgenic technology. This new science that has been founded produces unstable combinations of plant, animal, and microbial genes that do not occur naturally. Therefore, another commonly known method of deriving new species in a more controlled manner is selective breeding. Selective breeding is a form of genetic modification that does not include new DNA into the new organism. This method is more challenging because one can only breed to it if it is compatible to a specific parent, meaning one cannot provide a species a certain trait that does not match them. Thus, Genetically Modified Organisms have replaced the diet of non-genetically modified organisms, in hopes of benefiting the world.
Genetically Modified foods has gradually become a big concern that has been debated over the controversy regarding people’s health and environmental effects. Through the use of nanotechnology and biotechnology agriculturalists strive hard to advance the nutritional content, resistance capacities, and other features that would increase their appeal in the market. One of the biggest arguments that has been brought upon is having consumers advocate to push for companies to label foods that contain ingredients that have been modified. Though many people debate whether labeling genetically modified foods should be necessary, it is found to be helpful for customers to know what they are putting into their bodies.
DO GMOs need to be labeled?
SUPPORTING
- Labeling
- Helps consumers know what they eat
- Genetically modifying food could be a risk while providing few nutritional benefits
- GMOs cause health problems, growing them can also harm the environment
- Labeling would not be curtailing a technology that is beneficial to the public
- Helps vegetarians, vegans, and certain religions
Genetically Modified crops have shown to involve techniques that are more precise and bringing results to the desired productivity. Therefore, consumers are advocating to push for rules that require companies to label foods that contain ingredients that have been modified. What the people mean by labeling is that it is often used to provide information to consumers on the characteristics of the products that consumers cannot evaluate. It is difficult for the consumer to judge if a product is produced through biotechnology or genetic engineering. That is why labeling can help change the credibility where consumers can learn about by inspecting the product’s package before purchasing it (Caswell, 1998; Caswell, 2000). Genetically engineering crops involves an experimental theory of trial and error, which results mostly in failure. Scientists have done studies using the plant’s DNA which could make a contaminate the plant by making it toxic or have other unintended impacts. Without labeling, it will make it difficult for the scientists to track those impacts. Labeling makes a difference within the entire supply chain for food products. Because of this effect, labeling policy can be more frequently perceived to be “a Trojan horse bearing a broader policy and attitude toward the acceptance of GMOs in food products” (Caswell, 2000). Labeling the product would not restrict certain technology that is helpful to the public. There is no principal design for genetically engineered crop that substantially increases yield or nutrition. Therefore, the methods that are proven show how they are more effective at increasing production.
Genetically Modified foods should be labeled to let the consumers know what they are putting in their body because they have the right to know what is in their food. Many of the time, people say that by having the product labeled the customer will know whether it is safe or not to consume. In the article, Consumer Perception of Genetically Modified Organisms and Sources of Information mentions how “66% of consumers responded that they want mandatory labeling for GMO products” (Wunderlich, S., & Gatto, K. A., 2015). With a 2012 survey of the US votes, it showed that 91% favored mandatory labeling for genetic engineering foods which would help those customers when purchasing products from the store. Some say that food products could carry risks while providing nutritional benefits. Genetically modified ingredients have shown to be useful in creating distinctive foods which have made customers happy. One example is chymosin, which is an important enzyme for making cheese that is used to be extracted from the “fourth stomach of young calves, is now made in genetically modified micro-organisms” (Fedoroff, 2015). Scientist say the DNA within the foods that are modified are easily detected by biotech corporations which are entirely new. With consumers having the right to know what is in their food, it will help put all concerns they had about the GM ingredients that were found in the food products to peace because it is labeled.
Often, it is seen that labeling for food condiments have been found safe. Consequently, Negrone did a study in 2013 and found that not only do Genetically Modified Organisms cause health problems, but harm to the environment. There have been Genetically Modified Organism critics who experimented on both mice and rats by feeding them Bt corn for 90 days. From those 90 days, they developed multiple health problems which included a change in their kidneys, blood cells, and livers (65 Health Risks). Scientists have proven through the studies that Genetically Modified food could potentially cause allergic reactions that are severe. An example is when geneticists did a crossbreeding between Brazil nuts and soybeans and tested a gene that came from the Brazil nut and inserted the DNA of soybeans to it. The scientists realized that soybeans would cause allergic reactions, so the government requires companies to test for potential allergic reactions when genes are altered in common allergenic foods (Genetic Roulette 2013).
The food industry wants to make it easier for people to purchase food. Therefore, it helps vegans, vegetarians, and certain religions with this because they are at an advantage on knowing what they are putting into their bodies. By adding labels to the Genetically Modified products, it will help determine if the product they purchase has been modified with animal DNA. In addition, labeling the products will help the public by not restricting certain technology. Andrew Kimbrell says in the journal, Should Companies Be Required to Label Genetically Modified Foods? “no currently commercialized genetically engineered crop substantially increases yield or nutrition.” Scientists hypothesize if the methods prove to be effective, then there would be an increase within the labeling production. As a result, the primary use of genetic engineering includes modifying the crops so they can resist immense doses of herbicide. That is why, scientist believe customers have the right to have their food products labeled.
OPPOSING
- Lack of understanding GMOs
- Labeling foods would give the wrong impression that there’s something dangerous about GMOs
- Cost
- They already are non-GMO products
There is a misconception when it comes when people say the food should not be labeled on food products. According to Consumer Perception of Genetically Modified Organisms and Sources of Information, the labeling of Genetically Modified foods is not mandatory in the United States despite the emergence of prolabeling movements (Wunderlich, S., & Gatto, K. A. 2015). Consumers can easily determine what products in the food industry contain Genetically Modified ingredients with an implemented labeling system. However, there is a portion of the population who does not have a clear understanding of what genetically engineered means. For some manufacturers, this could portray their product to make the label seem as a warning. A recent survey that was conducted by FooDS showed that 80% of Americans support the mandatory labeling of GMO products that are produced with genetic engineering. Yet they also said they would support “mandatory labels on foods containing DNA” (Davis, 2015). However, geneticists say that many food and chemical companies within the food industry claim that labeling should not be mandatory due to genetically engineered foods not proving to be unsafe.
Genetic Engineered labeling can imply incorrect warnings about health effects. What this means is there is no specific evidence that indicates that Genetic Engineered food is harmful. The food that is purchased from the stores and the ingredients one purchases was derived from Genetic Engineered plants that “must adhere the same safety requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act that apply to food and food ingredients derived from traditionally bred plants (Charles 2014). To make the consumer feel more relaxed, all the food that contains Genetic Engineered crops are regulated through the Environmental Protection Agency. It is important to make the consumer feel safe and healthy with what they put into their bodies. Fedoroff says that the “modern methods cause less genetic disturbance that the radioactivity and chemicals used for crop improvement in the 20th century.” That is why labeling foods can give the wrong impression that Genetically Modified Organisms can be dangerous.
The costs for labeling Genetically Modified Organism foods can be too expensive for both the producers and consumers. Since many companies tend to change their labels often, the prices would not change too much. However, with the changes that are made in the country’s food system, they will need to be segregated from Genetically Modified Organisms and non-Genetically Modified Organisms due to substantial food products (Charles, 2014). This would cause the prices to increase. It takes a lot for the small farmers to grow/harvest their product and eventually process, package, transport, and market it. The overall costs to implement such a system would be very expensive and this will ultimately trickle down to consumer’s pockets, with prices increasing in grocery stores.
The agricultural boom within the food industry continues to increase. Genetically Modified crops have an increase in yields with an average of more than 20% nationwide (Fedoroff, 2015). There are areas around the globe where there are less developed nations compared to the big farmers with well developed nations, where they start at a lower yield compared to the increase within the higher yield for small-holder farmers. The way the methods are more productive are when there is an increase in production. According to Mandatory GMO Labeling: Pros and Cons, consumers prefer to purchase products that are non-Genetically Modified. But either way, the products that are produced are inspected and continues to grow.
Summary
In conclusion, Genetically Modified Organisms have existed for a while. These Genetically Modified Organisms are processed in a lab where scientists extract genes from different species and remove them to unrelated plants or animals. There has been debates whether Genetically Modified Organisms should be labeled. However, after doing research, I discovered information that argues both sides. There are many consumers who argue that placing labels on the products will benefit them because they have an idea of what is going into their body. Consumers who track the food that they consume into their body, know if the potential food can contain a risk of a pesticide or cause a health problem. Yet, there are consumers who argue that not labeling Genetically Modified Organisms is okay. Those consumers who believe in this say that labeling the Genetically Modified Organisms will cause the product to increase or it can give the wrong impression to customers when purchasing the item. Overall, there are many plants that undergo Genetic Modification. The question still remains though, are Genetically Modified Organisms actually healthy for someone to consume even after seeing the label?