What Is GMO Labeling?

In 1990, the safety of digesting genetically modified foods (GMOs) was first brought into consideration at a meeting between the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO); however, up until this day the practice of marketing unlabeled GMOs, which also have not been tested for their potential toxicity, is still existent in America. A GMO is defined as any food, plant, or organism that has had its genes manipulated in order to change some aspect of itself so that it can be enjoyed by its consumer, for example to enhance its taste or the longevity of the food before it rots. Without the proper labels there are many factors that the consumer population may be affected by because they are unaware of what chemicals …show more content…
Yes, it is argued that consumers may react apathetically even when presented with the correct information and will continue to purchase foods containing such chemicals due to their lack of knowledge of the effects of the ingredients in GMOs; however, this blindness can be combated with advertisements, articles, and even classes that introduce information on what certain chemicals are safe and harmful for the human body. Instead of ignoring that consumers are not aware of which GMOs are healthy and unhealthy, educate consumers on what GMOs should be avoided so that everyone can live one step closer to a healthier lifestyle by avoiding foods that could lead to harmful effects on the body caused by the intake of …show more content…
Furthermore, such effects caused by certain GMOs threaten the health of those who unknowingly digest dangerous ingredients from foods that are labelled with the bare minimum of information that is required by the law. Dr. Judy Carman, researcher and professor at Flinders University in Australia, used pigs for her test subject on the effects of GM crop intake because pigs share a similar digestive system compared humans. In her study, Carman discovered that the pigs that were fed GM crops experienced health issues in the uterus such as inflammation and stomach irritation. An anonymous farmer in Iowa claims that the livestock that have been fed GM crops turn out to be more aggressive and are more likely to give birth to newborns with birth defects or undergo abortion versus the livestock that do not eat GM crops. Carman concluded that the pigs with health issues similar to the ones stated above are the ones that end up in the consumers’ food supply. By requiring the specific labeling of ingredients in GMOs companies reveal to their consumers what kind of livestock has been implemented into the products they consider purchasing. Candidly offering thorough information through required GMO labeling shows there is a fair warning of what health dangers may take place when