“In the U.S., GMOs are in as much as 80% of conventional processed food” (Non-GMO Project). The public has grown concerned over genetically engineered food. However, not many people actually know what GMO stands for. GMO is an abbreviation for genetically modified organism, and can be created by genetic engineering or biotechnology. These organisms could never be created naturally. They can be used for yeast, plants, fish, and other animals. Most commonly it is used in processed foods, even vegetables such as corn and soybeans. “The National Center for Food and Agricultureal Policy estimates that 85 percent of U.S. corn is genetically modified”(Chicago Tribune). More than one-tenth of farmland contains GM crops (Diaz). Almost everyone eats
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One drawback numerous Americans thought would be an easy fix was that there was no required GMO labeling in USA. This is a big debate between the government and corporations versus American citizens. The government believes no labeling is required, when they understand GMOs and tradition food to be the same. “By contrast, labeling is required in countries including the 27 member nations of the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Brazil and China” (Down to Earth). However, more than 90% of Americans want GE foods to be labeled (Center for Food Safety). The organization Just Label It received 1 million signatures on a petition to label GMOs after 180 days, but the FDA denied this request (). People are not aware whether or not they are consuming GMOs in their diet and believe they have a right to …show more content…
It was clearly caused from it’s use in genetic engineering, and had very acute, quick-acting, and unique symptoms (Smith). “The percentage of Americans with three or more chronic illnesses jumped from 7% to 13% in just 9 years” after the use of GMOs became more prevelent ().
Not only do some studies show that genetic engineering can cause health issues, but also increases the use of herbicides. GMOs are engineered to be herbicide tolerant in order to have an easy solution to kill surrounding weeds. “Between 1996 and 2008, US farmers sprayed an extra 383 million pounds of herbicide on GMOs” (Smith). Instead, superweeds have resulted and are more resistant to the herbicide. So farmers use more herbicide spray, which has been linked to birth defects and cancer, and can also create environmental harm
One drawback numerous Americans thought would be an easy fix was that there was no required GMO labeling in USA. This is a big debate between the government and corporations versus American citizens. The government believes no labeling is required, when they understand GMOs and tradition food to be the same. “By contrast, labeling is required in countries including the 27 member nations of the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Brazil and China” (Down to Earth). However, more than 90% of Americans want GE foods to be labeled (Center for Food Safety). The organization Just Label It received 1 million signatures on a petition to label GMOs after 180 days, but the FDA denied this request (). People are not aware whether or not they are consuming GMOs in their diet and believe they have a right to …show more content…
It was clearly caused from it’s use in genetic engineering, and had very acute, quick-acting, and unique symptoms (Smith). “The percentage of Americans with three or more chronic illnesses jumped from 7% to 13% in just 9 years” after the use of GMOs became more prevelent ().
Not only do some studies show that genetic engineering can cause health issues, but also increases the use of herbicides. GMOs are engineered to be herbicide tolerant in order to have an easy solution to kill surrounding weeds. “Between 1996 and 2008, US farmers sprayed an extra 383 million pounds of herbicide on GMOs” (Smith). Instead, superweeds have resulted and are more resistant to the herbicide. So farmers use more herbicide spray, which has been linked to birth defects and cancer, and can also create environmental harm