GMO Food Labeling
Genetically modified foods (genetically modified foods) have been an issue of controversy since their early development. genetically modified foods refer to organisms that are intended for human or animal consumption that have been modified artificially to enhance certain plant traits. Some of these traits include pesticide resistance, herbicide tolerance, disease resistance, cold tolerance, drought tolerance, salinity tolerance, improved nutrition, pharmaceuticals, and phytoremediation, which is the use of plants and animals to remove toxins from the environment. These traits promised to improve human lives and to help resolve some of the environmental issues that currently plague our society. The controversy surrounding genetically modified foods is not their use or their necessity in human society, it is fear over unintended circumstances that could have a negative affect on human lives. It will support the safety of genetically modified foods due to a lack of empirical evidence to the contrary. This research will support the thesis that further GM food labeling is not necessary, as a sufficient system is already in place.
The first argument against the use of genetically modified foods at all is the possibility for the transfer of GM genetic material into surrounding plants and animals. Although creators of genetically modified foods and government agencies claim that genetically modified foods are comparable to their...
Proponents of labeling claim that consumers have a right to know what is in the foods they consume. One concern about genetically modified foods is the potential for introduction of genes from food stuffs that are culprits in common allergies into foods that are normally considered safe for sensitive people (Schneider and Schneider). Those that claim that we simply do not know enough to call them safe, are calling for the labeling of genetically modified foods to alert the consumer of the products that they are purchasing.
Opponents of food labeling argue that there is not enough evidence that support the claims that genetically modified foods are less healthy or pose a significant risk to human health compared to non-genetically modified foods (Schneider and Schneider).. genetically modified foods are considered generally recognized as safe "GRAS" under the current FDA guidelines. If genetically modified foods are required to be labeled in the future, it could mean sweeping changes in existing food labeling policy. Opponents of the labeling propose that these changes are unnecessary based on the current body of evidence that supports the safety of genetically modified foods.
Sufficient technology exists to prevent harmful genetic material from entering the food supply unknowingly. According to the USDA economic research…
