Académique Documents
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Chemistry
13
Period 3
January 12, 2014
Ezell
Page
(Genetically Modified Foods). The FDA does impose legal safety and purity
requirements regardless of whether the additives are produced chemically,
synthetically or with GMOs (GM Microorganisms). Additionally, the FDA requires food
manufacturers to list all ingredients on the labels (Overview of Food). However,
some ingredients may be listed collectively, including ingredients that are known to
cause allergies (Overview of Food). The FDA, however, does not require genetically
modified companies to label their products as being GM foods (GM Microorganisms).
Accordingly, consumers do not know what they are consuming. Some research has
shown that consuming genetically modified foods may lead to increased chances of
developing cancer and allergies (4 Potential Health). Moreover, studies have linked
these foods to the development of diseases which are immune to antibiotics (4
Potential Health). These resistant crops create a safety concern because they create
weeds and pests that require harsh chemicals to destroy them (4 Potential Health).
The result can detrimentally impact the environment since these chemicals could
wash away with the rain and pollute ponds, rivers and other water sources
(Genetically Modified Foods). These chemicals can interfere with the ecosystems
and poison fish and wildlife, plants, and water (Genetically Modified Foods). The
unknown risks and potential long term effects of using and consuming GMOs are
uncertain and may pose more harm than good.
Genetically modified foods are in our grocery stores, school cafeterias, and
restaurants. Food companies are inventing new ways to manufacture foods to
appeal to consumers. Because the United States government does not require food
companies to label foods as genetically modified, most consumers are unaware they
are eating potentially dangerous substances. The lack of government regulation
calls into question the safety of the genetically modified foods. While some contend
that genetically modified organisms are a healthier alternative to chemical
additives, the real issue is the consumers right to know whether or not the food
they are consuming is genetically modified. A mandatory FDA labeling law would
address this concern. The unknown effects on human health and the environment
warrant a cautionary labeling approach and further research on the future impact of
genetically modified organisms.
Work Cited
Artic Apples Truly a Non-browning Apple. Artic Apples. 25 Jan. 2014.
http://www.arcticapples.com/.
Carter, Jimmy. Forestalling Famine with Biotechnology.
11 July, 1997. The
Washington
Times.
14
Jan.
2013.
http://www.cartercenter.org/news/documents/doc32.html.
Food
ColoursOrigins
and
History.
http://www.understandingfoodadditives.org/pages/ch2p1-2.htm.
Genetically Modified Foods. Harvard School of Public Health.
http://chge.med.harvard.edu/topic/genetically-modified-foods.
GM Microorganisms Taking the Place of Chemical Factories. 26 Jan. 2006. GMO
Compass.
15
Jan.
2014.http://www.gmocompass.org/eng/grocery_shopping/ingredients_additive
s/36.gm_microorganisms_ taking_place_chemical_factories.html.
Golden Rice Project. http://www.goldenrice.org/
Horovitz, Bruce. Cheerios Drops Genetically Modified Ingredients. 2 Jan. 2014. USA
Today. 23 Jan. 2014.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/01/02/cheerios-gmoscereals/4295739/.
Overview of Food Ingredients, Additives & Colors. Nov. 2004, revised April 2010.
International Food Information Council (IFIC) and U.S. Food and Drug
Administration. 23 Jan. 2014.
http://www.fda.gov/food/ingredientspackaginglabeling/foodadditivesingredien
ts/ucm094211.htm.
4 Potential Health Risks of Eating GMOs. 3 July 2013. CNN-I Report. 23 Jan. 2014.
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-998680.