Genetically Modified Organism History and Current Labeling American consumers seem to be becoming more aware of Non-Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) labeling, but where are all of the GMO labels? In the past 15 years, the media and news broadcasts have focused on GM production and label laws more than ever. This extra buzz has peaked American curiosity and interest in what GMOs are, and why labeling is important. The history of modern GE (genetically engineered) technology made a huge breakthrough in 1973 when Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen worked together to create the first GE organism. They used genetic engineering to transfer the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of one organism into another. In 1974, Rudolf Jaenisch and Beatrice Mintz
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For example, shortly after the conference, in 1982, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved the first human medication with a GMO, named Humulin; scientists had used bacteria to correspond to human insulin, allowing more of it be produced and sold to diabetes patients. Later in 1987 is when the experimentation of GMOs in food began, and 5 years later, the first commercial sale of GM foods transpired with Calgene’s Flavr Savr tomatoes, approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Harvard University, From Corgis to Corn: A Brief Look at the Long History of GMO Technology). “These tomatoes were modified to include a DNA sequence that inhibited production of a natural tomato protein, increasing the firmness and extending the shelf life of the Flavr Savr variety.” As stated by Gabriel Rangel of Harvard University in his article titled From Corgis to Corn: A Brief Look at the Long History of GMO Technology. A year later, the first pesticide-producing crop hit the market, making it easier for farmers to prepare and use land for farming. In 1996, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn was approved, which contains “ a bacteria that naturally produces a crystal protein that is toxic to many pest insects. Bt crops are crops that are genetically engineered to produce the same toxin as Bt in every cell of the plant, with the goal of protecting …show more content…
In 1992, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a policy statement clarifying that “genetically modified foods were substantially equivalent to conventionally produced foods, so there was no material difference – and no labeling was required.” as stated by Just Label It in the article titled The Current Policy. After 25 years, this policy is still in effect today. For example, a piece of meat that contains GMO hormones does not taste, smell, or feel any different than a piece of meat without GMO hormones. Therefore, without a label to tell American consumers differently, they wouldn’t know if the piece of meat they had eaten had been genetically altered or
For example, shortly after the conference, in 1982, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved the first human medication with a GMO, named Humulin; scientists had used bacteria to correspond to human insulin, allowing more of it be produced and sold to diabetes patients. Later in 1987 is when the experimentation of GMOs in food began, and 5 years later, the first commercial sale of GM foods transpired with Calgene’s Flavr Savr tomatoes, approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Harvard University, From Corgis to Corn: A Brief Look at the Long History of GMO Technology). “These tomatoes were modified to include a DNA sequence that inhibited production of a natural tomato protein, increasing the firmness and extending the shelf life of the Flavr Savr variety.” As stated by Gabriel Rangel of Harvard University in his article titled From Corgis to Corn: A Brief Look at the Long History of GMO Technology. A year later, the first pesticide-producing crop hit the market, making it easier for farmers to prepare and use land for farming. In 1996, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn was approved, which contains “ a bacteria that naturally produces a crystal protein that is toxic to many pest insects. Bt crops are crops that are genetically engineered to produce the same toxin as Bt in every cell of the plant, with the goal of protecting …show more content…
In 1992, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a policy statement clarifying that “genetically modified foods were substantially equivalent to conventionally produced foods, so there was no material difference – and no labeling was required.” as stated by Just Label It in the article titled The Current Policy. After 25 years, this policy is still in effect today. For example, a piece of meat that contains GMO hormones does not taste, smell, or feel any different than a piece of meat without GMO hormones. Therefore, without a label to tell American consumers differently, they wouldn’t know if the piece of meat they had eaten had been genetically altered or