Genetically Modified Organisms ( Gmos )

Even if a technology was developed that would bring the cost of production down to or below that of existing production cost, there is the issue of consumer preference. The increasing debate over genetic engineering has created a substantial difference in perception of the risks and benefits involved with GE food. Governments around the world, most notably members of the European Union have places restrictions and bans on many GMO products. Many of these countries are considering putting labels on products with GMO ingredients. Considering that many developing countries' economies are highly dependant on agricultural export,

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are all over the world and are found in 80% of processed food in the United States. GMOs are animals and plants that have undergone DNA recombination; they are genetically engineered with DNA from other plants, animals and microorganisms such as bacteria or viruses. Such DNA recombination does not occur in nature and cannot be obtained from traditional crossbreeding (NON-GMO Project; Vigne, Komar & Fuchs). Since recombinant DNA technology involves transferring genetic material from one organism to another, GMOs are also known as transgenic organisms since there has been a transfer of genes (University of New Mexico). This procedure is different from cloning; cloning involves the replication of DNA sequences of the organism but without changing the genes in the DNA sequence. Thus, genetic modification involves actual modification of DNA sequence. However, the replication of genetically modified organisms is done through cloning in order to maintain the exact gene sequence that was created or desired (University of New Mexico). The production of GMOs is controversial and has strong proponents and opponents. Around 60 countries including Japan, Australia, and countries in the European Union have restrictions or bans on the production and sale of GMOs. Numerous reasons are proffered for this position such as health, safety and environmental concerns. At the same time, there are many proponents of GMO

Whether or not to require labeling of GM foods is a major issue in the persistent debate over the risks and benefits of foods crops that are produced using biotechnology. Bills requiring compulsory labeling have been introduced and proposed in different levels, but not evenly implemented. Some of the common genetically engineered crops include soya beans, canola, corn and cotton. The US Food and Drug Administration policy on the labeling of GM food requires labeling is the food has significantly distinct nutritional property (US FDA par 2). Further, labeling is required if the GM food product includes an allergen that consumers may not expect to find in such a product, or if the product contains a toxicant that is beyond acceptable limits (US FDA par 3).

Ever since their entrance onto the consumer market in the last two decades of the twentieth century, genetically modified organisms (often referred to as GMOs) have been getting mixed reviews from the public. Genetically modified consumer products (primarily food) have pushed the barriers of some people's comfort levels. Born out of either a lack of knowledge or a sincere concern for public health or the environment, a consumer rights movement has been planted around the world pushing for labeling of genetically modified food products. This movement has matured in many places to a degree where interest groups have successfully lobbied governments into adopting criteria for labeling transgenic food

Sixty four countries around the world have banned the use of GMOs, otherwise known as Genetically Modified Organisms, within farms and supermarkets. However, the United States, a usually technologically advanced country, has yet to invest much time or effort into this endeavour, one that would make food healthier for people and protect the environment. The US government has taken a step back in this effort for healthier food options, as in the country, companies that use GMOs are not required to label their food as such. Some companies and businesses, however, are working to make a change in the case for GMOs in the US, by advocating minimized GMO usage, menu transparency, or the complete ban of the usage.

Another contributing factor to the controversial nature of GMOs is the fact that a majority of the world does not consider such food products safe, since “ in more than 60 countries around the world, including Australia, Japan, and all of the countries in the European Union, there are significant restrictions or outright bans on the production and sale of GMOs” (The Non-GMO). However, even though genetically engineered organisms are widely considered to be unsafe in many aspects, the U.S. government has little to no restrictions on the production and consumption of these products.

Consumers consider a product, as safe for utilization, if there are no proven long-term effects. As with GMOs, there has been no proven results, to justify them as unsafe, or unhealthy. A report was held, to examine the health from those in the United States and Canada, contrastly, with the health of residents in the United Kingdom, and Western Europe. In North America, there are no GMO regulations, and genetically engineered products are the majority of consumption. In the UK, and Europe, there are many strict legislatures on consuming genetically engineered foods. After the study, there was no difference in the health of those in North America, and those in the UK and Europe

Upwards of 75% of food grown in the United States is genetically modified. Meaning that there DNA has been changed to help a specific purpose. There has been a lot of controversy over GMO production. In Europe, GMOs have heavy restrictions or outright bans depending on the country; as of October 3rd, 19 countries have out right banned the cultivation of GMO products. GMO productions should have stricter restrictions with the U.S. government because the health consequences are largely unknown, GMO products are unlabeled and they pose a threat to farmers in their fight against large companies.

GMOS and GM technology have become a topic of great concern among scientists, regulators, consumers, farmers, and politicians. Despite potential benefits, public hostility toward GMOs is causing drastic affects on import/export policies, food safety regulations, and agricultural practices around the world. An analysis of genetically modified organisms reveals

Introduction/Thesis Genetically modified organisms (GMO) are an organism whose genome has been engineered in the laboratory in order to favor the expression of desired physiological traits or the production of desired biological products according to the Encyclopedia Britannica. In grocery stores in the United States, as much as 70 percent of the processed food may contain genetically modified organisms. The same cannot be said for the European Union, who has much tighter regulations regarding the planting and end use of genetically modified (GM) foods. There is a worldwide debate over the safety and benefit of genetically modified organisms and whether they should be allowed on the dinner table.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are genetic materials; which have been altered through biotechnology. Many crops sold around the world are genetically modified. GMOs undergo changes to fit a specific purpose such as pest-resistant crops. Despite the fact that GMOs are commonly used, there has been many disagreements regarding whether or not they should be labeled. Although GMOs have been deemed safe by the FDA they concluded that labeling GMOs are unnecessary, citizens disagree and suggest GMOs should be labeled because labels provide benefits and also allow people to have positive attitudes regarding GMOs; also not labeling GMOs infringes on an American citizen’s freedom and the labels could start a governmental public campaign

There are few laws regulating genetically modified organisms due to the fact that they have not been around for a long time. No long term testing has been concluded, therefore there is no scientific conclusion when it comes to the safeness of genetically modified organisms. Compared to other countries, the United States regulations on GMOs is relatively favorable towards their development. According to the Library of Congress, a series of polls conducted from 2001 to 2006 found that the publics understand of biotechnology technology, which produces these genetically modified foods, was relatively low, and that consumers were relatively unaware of the extent to which their foods included genetically modified ingredients (United States). Sixty-four countries around the world require labeling of

According to Library of Congress (n.d) compared to other countries, regulation of GMOs in the US is relatively favourable to their development. GMOs are an economically important component of the biotechnology industry, which now plays a significant role in the US economy. For example, the US is the world’s leading producer of genetically modified crops. This explains, why Monsanto Company makes more emphasis on improving their biotechnology and teach it to future generations, while EU establishes a strict monitoring of GM products for marketing in regard to the requirement of mandatory labelling rules. On the other hand, in the United States the issue of GMOs are promoted as a benefit for the population and the environment, while in the European Union, biotechnology has been viewed as a new process that requires large regulators by the European Food Safety Authority. It would be the reason because Syngenta's report is focusing on issues related to make crops more efficient and to help farmers meet new emissions requirements, to produce more food while reducing their environmental footprint.

Genetically Modified Organisms are organisms whose genetic make-up have been changed by mutating, inserting, or deleting genes, by using genetic engineering techniques or biotechnology (Klein, Wolf, Wu & Sanford, 1987). The topic of genetically modified organisms became very controversial in today’s world. GMO have been used not only in producing vegetable, but also in medical and biological researches, drug production, and medical treatments. However, the food field generates the biggest controversy since it relates to a lot of different issues. Genetically modified food concerns people over their benefits, if they are resistant to disease, or improve the nutrition of the foods. It is also a moral and ethical issue for a lot of vegan, vegetarians and some religious groups, as the transfer of animal genes into plants goes against their believes.

The way governments have regulated GM foods varies. In some countries GM foods are not yet regulated. Countries which have legislation in place focus primarily on assessment of risks for consumer health. Countries which have provisions for GM foods usually also regulate GMOs in general, taking into account health and environmental risks, as well as control- and trade-related issues (such as potential testing and labelling regimes). In view of the dynamics of the debate on GM foods, legislation is likely to continue to