Coddington 1

Victoria Coddington
Dr. Binder and Mr. Hendrickson
21st Century Health Challenges and English 110
3 November 2015
Word Count: 1576
Genetically Modified Decisions
Abstract
Research conducted through perspectives of local, statewide, nationwide, and
international measures were utilized to report the ongoing debate on genetically modified
organisms (GMOs). The research conducted through various online articles, journals, and a
personal interview with the local Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) at the University of
New Mexico are synthesized to create a complete report on what genetically modified organisms
are, what the pros and cons of the debate about GMOs are, and why genetically modified foods
should be labeled. At the end of the report, recommendations and policy guidelines are suggested
in order to advance public awareness and safety on the topic. This report is addressing the
general public, specifically those involved in the ongoing debate and interest in legislature on
policy involving genetically modified organisms. The report is specifically inclined for those
working at a national level with some specific insight into the state of New Mexico.

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Background
Biotechnology is a term that is not necessarily new to the general population, but
throughout the past couple years the term has become more and more common throughout the
United States, as well as, internationally. The main topic of biotechnology today is mainly
concerned with public health, more specifically, genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Genetically modified organisms are organisms whose DNA is spliced, or altered, in order to
create a new genetically modified species. GMOs were introduced in order to withstand more
toxins for greater weed control, and are able to repel more invasions from pests.
Genetically modified organisms were created in the 1980s and were instantly approved
by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1982 as the first consumer product
developed through modern bioengineering. Later in 1992, the Food and Drug Administration
declares that genetically engineered foods are "not inherently dangerous" and do not require
special regulation. ("History of GMOS."). Even after the Food and Drug administration gave the
okay for GMOs in processed food and said the foods "evaluated through the consultation process
have not been more likely to cause an allergic or toxic reaction than foods from traditionally bred
plants." (McKay). Many people, however, do not trust GMOs and claim that the organisms have
not been tested for a long enough time to monitor the health effects.
In the debate on the use of GMOs in processed foods, many questions appeared in terms
of public health such as: why GMOs are useful, and the potential effects on the environment. The
main argument for scientists is the fact that genetically modified organisms can potentially resist
insects better, are tolerant against herbicides, can resist disease to an extent, and are more tolerant
of climate change.(Taylor). GMOs are one of the greatest advances in agriculture over the
centuries especially for those concerned with food shortages, global warming, and other

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economic factors contributing to agriculture. The other questions involved in the argument,
however, are the potential health effects of GMOs, and the potential effects on the ecosystem.
According to Jody Peach, the Nutritionist at the Student Health and Counseling Center (SHAC)
at the University of New Mexico,
"The debate on public health and genetically modified organisms is widely debated
because people do not trust the science involved. People do not understand the concept of
creating a new kind of crop that can withstand more toxins, climate, and other
environmental factors can come risk free. The Food and Drug Administration has already
cleared the use of GMOs. Now processed foods are always going to come second to
homegrown or organic foods, so if you are really looking for better health buy one of the
two alternative options."
Lastly, the questions involving the ecosystem are valid to the counterargument. Like so many
other things in the world the ecosystem is dependent on the balance of the food chain. Now
having crops that are genetically modified to resist disease, toxins, and more resistant to climate
change and pests can disrupt the balance. According to the Evaluation of Allergenicity of
Genetically Modified Foods, scientists are afraid that because the crops are more resilient all
together some insects will not be able to be fed and reproduce disrupting the overall ecosystem.
While home growers, organic, and GMO free foods will always keep the balance but overall
some species would be at risk of extinction. With the astounding number of people that are
concerned with the use of GMOs in food, the anti-GMO movement began and pushed toward
some kind of agreement with legislation.
Because of the pressure on the government by those wanting to monitor the use of
genetically modified organisms in food, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) supported the

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voluntary labeling of GMO foods based on each individual state. In New Mexico, according to
the Albuquerque Journal, the state wants federal agencies to regulate genetically modified foods
(McKay). In other words, Albuquerque is pushing to label whether or not foods are using
genetically modified organisms or not. While the legislation is still in the process of being
introduced, many are all for the labeling factor including many companies. For example, Whole
Foods announced that it is hoping to get rid of, or label, all the genetically modified organisms
on the shelves within the next five years.(Taylor). Chipotle also announced in 2015 that there is
no longer any GMOs in the food, making it the first fast food restaurant to do so. While so many
businesses, companies, and states are beginning to join the labeling phenomenon, voluntary
labeling on the national level is still enforced and decided upon until the state favors otherwise.
Methods
The general topic of food, nutrition, and health was assigned to a group of four team
members. The role of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) was appointed as an angle to the
general topic based on personal interest. The sources that had to be included in the report were: a
core clinical journal, a national agency, and international agency, an interview with an expert, a
local newspaper or journal, and a program associated with the topic at a local level.
The first research question, "Why GMOs are useful and the potential effects on the
ecosystem that are involved with the organisms.," were answered through the of the Evaluation
of Allergenicity of Genetically Modified Foods, a report by the Research and Special Programs
Administration on Hazardous Materials, and a core clinical journal questioning if GMOs are
allergenic. The Evaluation of Allergenicity and Genetically Modified Foods was utilized as a
form of background and a consultation between an international agency (World Health
Organization) and a national agency (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) on the

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guidelines on whether GMOs are harmful. The report by the Research and Special Programs
Administration was utilized in order to give insight on the distribution policies for the
distribution of potentially hazardous materials. Lastly, the core clinical journal created an outline
for how GMOs were described as being non allergenic. The core clinical journal included the
insight of three scientists that had completed substantial research on GMOs and the ecosystem.
The second research question, "Are genetically modified organisms harmful?," was
answered through the use of a brief history researched on the History of GMOs webpage, an
article in the Albuquerque Journal, and an interview with a local nutritionist at the University of
New Mexico. The History of GMOs is a regularly updated webpage that gives a brief summary
on the creation and the dates associated with the approval of GMOs based on the Food and Drug
Administration which regulates the credibility of food production and distribution of
consumables in the United States. The Albuquerque Journal article introduced the voluntary
labeling policy made by the Food and Drug Administration based on each state. Since the report
has an interest in the state of New Mexico, a local newspaper was utilized to share state
legislation compared to nationwide legislation. The Albuquerque Journal specifically included
evidence on the counselors decision to label GMOs in New Mexico as well as establishing the
grounds as to how the decision was reached. In terms of questioning the GMOs and public health
Jody Peach, a local University of New Mexico (UNM) nutritionist, was interviewed to shed light
on the subject. Jody Peach has worked as a nutritionist for UNM with over 10 years of clinical
experience. Jody explained how nutrition is not really affected by the GMOs used in the food but
that the processed food that the GMOs are incorporated in are not the best foods to maintain
proper nutrition.

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Recommendations
After the report was completed the food, health, and nutrition team member came to the
conclusion that genetically modified organisms are not harmful to the general public's health but
raise two main questions: Are GMOs potentially harming the environment, and should the foods
containing GMOs be labeled?
After extensive research on GMOs history and public health implications it is concluded
that GMOs are not harmful to humans, but can potentially be harmful to the environment if a
crop is primarily GMO based. So in order to maintain balance in the ecosystem policy should be
introduced to regulate a ratio as to how many GMO crops can be planted compared to
homegrown crops. A crop can contain primarily GMO crops if crops cannot be grown and
produced.
Secondly, I believe that compared to the legislation involving the labeling of GMOs on
foods the initial policy of voluntary labeling should continue. Each individual state, however, can
overrule the initial vote of labeling or non-labeling based on an election by the majority
population.

Works Cited

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Alpers, Greg. "GMO Crops in New Mexico - New Mexico Crop Production Association." New
Mexico Crop Production Association. 2013 WBAM, 2 Dec. 2013. Web. 28 Oct. 2015.
"Evaluation of Allergenicity of Genetically Modified Foods." WHO. WHO 2015, 2001. Web. 16
Oct. 2015.
"Federal Register: Hazardous Materials: Revision to Standards for Infectious Substances." CDC.
National, 14 Aug. 2002. Web. 17 Oct. 2015.
"History of GMOS." American Radioworks. 2015 American Public Media. n.d.Web. 28 Oct
2015.
McKay, Dan. "ABQ Councilors Oppose GMO's." Albuquerque Journal 26 May 2014. 2015
Albuquerque Journal. Web.
Peach, Jody. Personal Interview. 26 October 2015.
Taylor, Steve L., and Susan L. Hefle. "Will Genetically Modified Foods Be Allergetic?" Journal
of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2001 Mosby, Inc., 1 May 2001. Web. 19 Oct. 2015.