Genetically Modified Organisms

GMO. A word commonly heard, but only a select few know what it

really means. Similarly, people dont want to eat GMOs even though they

dont know the true health effects. The National Academies Press has

reported that genetically modified food is no less safe than food grown by

traditional breeding (NAP). Furthermore, genetically modified food is set to

the same standards and go through the same tests as naturally grown food

(NAP). Because the standards are exactly the same, science says that theres

no need for special labeling for genetically modified foods (NAP). The

American Medical Association has stated that theres no scientific

justification for special labeling of bioengineered foods, as a class, and that

voluntary labeling is without value unless it is accompanied by focused

consumer education (AMA). Even if there were risks from genetically

modified foods, any adverse health affects would be comparable to those

formed from conventional breeding practices (Oxford Journal).

While science may say that genetically modified foods are safe, the

popular press and social media portray mixed feelings about GMOs. Web MD

says that over twenty years of studies have been preformed and most of

them were safe. However, theyre quick to site the two dozen studies that

show bad effects to organs such as the kidneys, liver and heart and

genetically modified foods may even contain carcinogens (Web MD). Forbes

had the same outlook. However, the author treaded on the more positive
side. There were over two thousand studies in the past twenty years showing

that GMOs were not harmful to humans (Entine). Additionally, genetically

modified food pose no threat to society and may even be safer than

conventionally grown foods (Entine). After discussing the positives Forbes

move on to talk about Jeffery Smith, an opponent to GMOs. Smith has a

website that lists different studies with animals who consumed GMOs and

ended up getting very ill or died (Entine). However, these cases are the

outliers in the group. Out of more than 2,000 studies only about two dozen

were abnormal (Entine). And as Forbes pointed out, if genetically modified

foods were really a problem then farmers would notice it in their livestock

population. Cows and pigs would be lying dead all over the farm or they

would be extremely sick.

The Web MD article and the Forbes article are fairly reasonable to both

sides of the GMO debate; however, the CNN article ripped GMOs to shreds.

The article talks about how genetically modified food has made insects and

weeds resistant to herbicides. Additionally, the article claims that the science

proving GMOs are safe is untrue, Since it takes many years for diseases

such as cancer to appear, we could be reaching that point in time after the

introduction of GM crops (Schubert). Its interesting reading these articles

because theyre all so different. It makes you wonder whether the science

journals are leaving information out, or if the online press being extremely

bias? Many people tend to lean towards the popular press because they see

it everyday and the articles are easier to read than science journals.
However, the science journals one job is to report the facts as they are,

which is why theyre reliable. Its important to consider the media and

scientific journals when debating to label genetically modified food

organisms.

The benefits of labeling genetically modified organisms are clear. The

consumer would know what theyre buying and know that the food has been

genetically modified. Labeling these foods could also bridge a gap between

the producer and the consumer (Messer 2). Consumers dont see whats

going on when the food is being produced, so adding labels would add a

level of trust because consumers would know more about the process.

Labeling would also create opportunities for scientific advances. (Messer 2).

As the CAST paper stated, these advances have proved beneficial to

producers and consumers alike and will inevitably be needed to improve the

conditions of the poor in the United States and throughout the world

(Messer 2). In 2015 GMOs have a negative connotation even though the

majority of people dont even know what it stands for, which is why food

prices will likely rise if foods with GMOs are labeled (Messer 5). If something

is labeled and says it contains GMOs then the consumer probably wont buy

it because GMO automatically has a negative connotation. Not only are

GMOs safe to eat, but they are held to the same standards as normally

processed foods (Oxford Journal). There are may pros and cons to labeling

GMOs, but the most important part is informing the consumer, so they can
make an educated choice on whether to buy the product or not. Someone

who would have a strong opinion on this issue is Norman Borlaug.

Norman Borlaug was an incredibly important figure in the science

community. He headed the Green Revolution both in America and overseas.

He worked mainly with wheat improvement and how to adapt wheat into new

environments. According to worldfoodprize.org Dr. Borlaugs greatest

achievement has been his unending struggle to integrate the various

streams of agricultural research to convince political leaders to bring these

advances into fruition. He also headed many projects having to do with

agricultural growth and technology (Nobel Prize). Because of his successes

Dr. Borlaug was made director of an International Wheat Improvement

Program. Dr. Borlaug won many awards and recognitions for his work. He

received recognition from various Universities in a multitude of countries

such as: Canada, India, Mexico, Norway, Pakistan and the United States

(Nobel Prize). One of the most touching and satisfying tributes was in 1968

when the people of Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico, named a street in his

honor (worldfoodprize.org). However, one of his greatest accomplishments

was winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 (Nobel Prize).

In regards to everything Dr. Borlaug has done in the field of wheat

technology and trying to reduce worldwide hunger I believe he would be

okay with GMOs. He would listen to all sides of the debate and understand

that GMOs are not the evil foods people make them out to be. If anything,

GMOs would help Dr. Borlaug with his work overseas with wheat technology.
Modifying the wheat could help it grow in many more environments and

make it more accessible to starving populations. This being said, Dr. Borlaug

would not be a proponent for labeling GMOs because its simply unnecessary.

Science tells us that GMOs overall arent putting us at risk; therefore, its

unnecessary to point them out because they arent harmful in any way.

GMOs were hurting sustainable development in the past because

herbicide tolerant genetically modified crops have created weed resistance,

which in turn has increased pesticide use. This increase in pesticide use later

harms the ecological system because animals get sick if they consume

pesticides (Sustainable Table). However, in recent years GMOs have been

modified to help sustainable farming. GM crops have many benefits for

farmers and land alike. Using GM crops allows farmers to grow more food

with less land, which means a smaller impact on the environment (GMO-

Compass). Additionally, GM crops increase farmers income so they have a

better quality of life and can afford to buy more land for more crops (GMO-

Compass). GM crops as a whole are more tolerant to diseases, pests and

drought than traditional breeding (GMO-Compass). This way if theres a long

drought, farmers wont be ruined with have little income. In addition to these

benefits, GM crops are beginning to use less herbicides and pesticides, and

are decreasing soil erosion (GMO-Compass). This will benefit the land in the

long run and allow farmers to use the same plots for longer periods of time.

If GMOs are widely shutdown in the US and Europe then science and

technology will move at a much slower pace. As the CAST paper stated, GM
food will be the catalyst for technological and scientific advances, but if we

stop then they wont move as fast as they may have. Additionally, we will

need to find another way to mass produce food at the rate our population is

growing. GMOs have more benefits than drawbacks, so we need to

implement the technology we have to keep up with our growing population.

The less developed countries are going to have to most population growth in

the upcoming years, so if GMOs are shunned or not allowed then theres no

way to provide those underdeveloped countries with sufficient quantities of

food (PRB).

I dont believe GMOs should be banned. Their benefits far outweigh the

costs. They are overall beneficial for sustainable development and there

hasnt been any major health risks to citizens in the United States. When it

comes to labeling GMOs I dont think they should be labeled. I fully believe

that consumers need to be educated on what GMOs are, but this needs to

come from another source other than labeling. The costs of labeling foods

with GMOs outweigh the benefits. While there may be a better relationship

between the consumer and the producer, food prices would rise dramatically.

The media is making out GMOs to be the root of all evil when really theyre

neutral! Before writing this paper I thought GMOs were terrible without really

knowing what they were. Now after doing my research I realize that they

arent harmful or helpful, theyre just another way to produce food. If

consumers are informed about GMOs then maybe we could think about

labeling food, but at this point the majority of consumers dont know enough
about GMOs to make an educated decision on buying food containing

genetically modified organisms.

Work Cited

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