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The Importance Of Labeling Gmos

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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 …show more content…

In “Consumers Call on FDA to Label GE Foods” Colin O’Neil feels that not labeling GMOs infringes on an American citizens freedom. Colin O’ Neil argued that “one choice Americans are not free to make is whether their food contains genetically engineered ingredients” based on the fact that the FDA is not required to label GMOs (O’Neil 31). Back in 1992 “the FDA issued a policy statement that GE foods were not ‘materially’ different from non-GE foods and thus did not need to be labeled”(O’Neil 31); Colin O’Neil rebutted “We as consumers no longer base our decisions solely on what we can see or taste or smell, so why should the FDA continue to do so?” (O’Neil 32) The FDA believed that GE foods were the exact same as non-GE foods and did not need any labels because the consumer could not tell the difference. O’Neil wanted to change the FDA’s stance on labeling because “90 percent of Americans want GE foods to be labeled and consumers do not expect food to be genetically engineered absent labeling” (O’Neil 32) even with a great portion of American citizens wanting labels the FDA still insisted that there was no need despite the fact it is the duty of the FDA to protect consumers. The FDA’s stance on labeling GMOs affects the American consumer because they cannot make the decision whether or not to purchase an item containing GMOs thus forcing them to consume something that contained a substance

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