Since GMOs (or genetically modified organisms) were introduced in the mid-1990s, allergies and other health problems including reproductive disorders and autism have been escalating. Time and time again, genetically modified foods have been presented as being “the same” as their organic counterparts, so that the labeling of them in unnecessary, but the facts seem to sing a different song. Genetically modifying foods has been praised for the impressive number of crops the practice yields with the use of “harmless” biotechnology. But as you will soon discover, GMOs are anything but harmless. Although it may appear beneficial to some, America should not continue production of genetically modified crops and livestock because of the negative effects
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GM crops have been shown to increase the use of pesticides and herbicides which negatively affect the environment, soil, and the already delicate ecosystem (“Negative…”). One of the more direct negative impacts of genetically modifying crops is facilitated by a natural process. Cross pollination, taking place through animals, wind, and other methods causes organic crops to be contaminated with pollen from GM crops (“Negative…”). This means that the spread of GM foods is not being controlled but is essentially out of human control. Also, increasing the use of herbicides may seem beneficial but causes the amount of herbicide resistant gene material in the wild to increase due to adaptation (Blum, McMullen-Laird, and Touhey). This causes the harvesting of crops with any amount of pesticide that is normal to modern farming to be more …show more content…
The answer to this can be attributed to the fact that the government doesn’t think GMOs are all that bad. In studies mentioned earlier pertaining to the rats, government researchers told the public they saw little difference between the control group and the experimental group. If you don’t want to call this a lie, it can be referred to as concealing information from the general public. This is understandable in some cases, in others necessary, to prevent panic over something minuscule or unimportant. But the evidence shown by these studies is alarming, and when it’s considered how much the people do not know, even scary. The labeling of GM food is misleading because of the idea the FDA likes to reiterate that GM crops are the same as their organic counterparts (Emma). Therefore, they don’t see specific labeling necessary. What the FDA considers dangerous is dishonest and influenced by different factors than just the general health of the American citizens (Emma). With GMOs, it is all a big business and money runs it. GM foods can also be put on the market without the notification of the FDA (“GMO…”). This explicitly shows the precedence of business over health in the world of GMOs. The responsibility of the FDA is to ensure the safety of food for American citizens but they stated that the safety of the food should be the
GM crops have been shown to increase the use of pesticides and herbicides which negatively affect the environment, soil, and the already delicate ecosystem (“Negative…”). One of the more direct negative impacts of genetically modifying crops is facilitated by a natural process. Cross pollination, taking place through animals, wind, and other methods causes organic crops to be contaminated with pollen from GM crops (“Negative…”). This means that the spread of GM foods is not being controlled but is essentially out of human control. Also, increasing the use of herbicides may seem beneficial but causes the amount of herbicide resistant gene material in the wild to increase due to adaptation (Blum, McMullen-Laird, and Touhey). This causes the harvesting of crops with any amount of pesticide that is normal to modern farming to be more …show more content…
The answer to this can be attributed to the fact that the government doesn’t think GMOs are all that bad. In studies mentioned earlier pertaining to the rats, government researchers told the public they saw little difference between the control group and the experimental group. If you don’t want to call this a lie, it can be referred to as concealing information from the general public. This is understandable in some cases, in others necessary, to prevent panic over something minuscule or unimportant. But the evidence shown by these studies is alarming, and when it’s considered how much the people do not know, even scary. The labeling of GM food is misleading because of the idea the FDA likes to reiterate that GM crops are the same as their organic counterparts (Emma). Therefore, they don’t see specific labeling necessary. What the FDA considers dangerous is dishonest and influenced by different factors than just the general health of the American citizens (Emma). With GMOs, it is all a big business and money runs it. GM foods can also be put on the market without the notification of the FDA (“GMO…”). This explicitly shows the precedence of business over health in the world of GMOs. The responsibility of the FDA is to ensure the safety of food for American citizens but they stated that the safety of the food should be the