GMO’s: What are they? Why so much controversy over labeling?
For some, the term GMOs rings a bell immediately, but for others you’re probably asking yourself what are GMOs? Why do they matter or do not matter? Where does this term come from? You’re probably wondering why many say there is such controversy over labeling of GMO’s. First and foremost, GMOs are found in our food. Most humans probably consume them on a daily basis. There is many opinions about this matter but to have an opinion we must first understand what they are and why is it surrounded by controversy.
Genetically modified organisms, is the acronym of GMOs. Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) refers to an organism containing genes that have been directly manipulated. (Robbins) Work to modify such organisms began back in 1950, with bacteria. The bacteria exchanged genetic material in the form of extrachromosomal rings called plasmids. It is this plasmids that would eventually lead Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer to the world’s first GMO in 1973.
In …show more content…
Vice president of global and regulatory affairs for Monsanto, Phil Miller, on the other hand, says there is no risk in GMOs, and that there is mechanisms being conducted to ensure the safety of consumers. Therefore Miller states there is no need to label GMO products. From a grower’s opinion, Bo Stone, operator of P&S Farms in Rowland, N.C, accentuated that farmers need GMOs to produce more efficiently. Stone, however, doesn’t believe in the need to label GMOs either. He brought attention to the cost for labeling. Adding up to $500 per year for each American family. Stone added that if something is certified organic it must be non-GMO. To add to this controversy, Scott Faber, vice-president of governmental affairs for the Environmental Working Group, who is a GMO supported, believes consumers have the right to know if their produce contains
For some, the term GMOs rings a bell immediately, but for others you’re probably asking yourself what are GMOs? Why do they matter or do not matter? Where does this term come from? You’re probably wondering why many say there is such controversy over labeling of GMO’s. First and foremost, GMOs are found in our food. Most humans probably consume them on a daily basis. There is many opinions about this matter but to have an opinion we must first understand what they are and why is it surrounded by controversy.
Genetically modified organisms, is the acronym of GMOs. Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) refers to an organism containing genes that have been directly manipulated. (Robbins) Work to modify such organisms began back in 1950, with bacteria. The bacteria exchanged genetic material in the form of extrachromosomal rings called plasmids. It is this plasmids that would eventually lead Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer to the world’s first GMO in 1973.
In …show more content…
Vice president of global and regulatory affairs for Monsanto, Phil Miller, on the other hand, says there is no risk in GMOs, and that there is mechanisms being conducted to ensure the safety of consumers. Therefore Miller states there is no need to label GMO products. From a grower’s opinion, Bo Stone, operator of P&S Farms in Rowland, N.C, accentuated that farmers need GMOs to produce more efficiently. Stone, however, doesn’t believe in the need to label GMOs either. He brought attention to the cost for labeling. Adding up to $500 per year for each American family. Stone added that if something is certified organic it must be non-GMO. To add to this controversy, Scott Faber, vice-president of governmental affairs for the Environmental Working Group, who is a GMO supported, believes consumers have the right to know if their produce contains