The Pros And Cons Of The Labeling Of Genetically Modified Foods

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).

The debate over genetically modified foods continues to haunt producers and consumers alike. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are foods that have been modified through bioengineering to possess certain characteristics. These plants have been modified in the laboratory to enhance traits such as increased resistance to herbicides or increased nutritional content (Whitman, 2000). The debate continues to grow as to whether these genetically altered foodstuffs are the answer to hunger in the coming years, or whether we are simply children playing with something that we do not have the capacity to understand. One of the biggest debates in the GMO issue is whether producers need to use labeling of

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

Should genetically modified foods be labeled? Some think GMOs are completely safe and labeling the food would prove unnecessary and will make food increase in price, while others believe we have a right to know everything in the food the population consume. Nearly all processed food sold in the United States were genetically modified in a lab. GMOs are often used to achieve a certain trait, such as drought tolerance, enhanced nutritional content, insect resistance, and reduced food waste. More than 15 countries have stated labeling genetically modified foods, starting with the Europe Union in 1997. While GMOs can be used for positive reasons, but can have a negative effect (list negative effects of GMOs). This paper will explain side with

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

People in different countries around the world have been debating about whether to use GMOs since the 90’s. Organic companies do not want GMOs to exist because the companies that make them are their competition. Most of Europe does not approve the use of them due to the fear of health risks, damaging ecosystems, and their mentality that they do not favor big multinational companies. Although they make a valid point, if proper precautions and tests are taken for the GMOs then they should not worry. Many of the most influential health regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, the American Medical Association, the World Health Organization, Health Canada, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Academy

GMO stands for a genetically modified organism. Through the use of biotechnology, we are able to produce genetically modified crops that are resistant to disease, have better yields, have more bio-available nutrients, etc. The first genetically modified crop was planted in the 1994 and today, approximately ten percent of the world’s agricultural fields are genetically modified (Chassy, Parrott, and Ruff, 2015). However, there is global controversy over if there are harmful affects of consuming foods that have been genetically modified in some way and how those foods should be labeled. In the United States, it is not required to label foods that contain any GMO’s. Europe has a large consumer push for the right to know what is in their food and because of this, the Europe Commission has passed labeling laws for GMO’s containing or not containing foods.

According to Dr. Keith Kantor (2013), the fundamental modification of GMO based crops include such venues as, the addition of antibacterial genes to plants, the introduction of genes to facilitate growth, endurance, or the creation of new foods from those in existence, as well as, the intermixing of plant and animal genes. Furthermore, T. Colbert (2014) , maintains that a substantial number of products consumed by the American public contains either GMO crop items or ingredients because a large majority of products are GMO corn or soy seed-based accounting for nearly ninety percent of foodstuffs via information garnered through the Center for Food Safety. Thus, only foods grown organically or animals maintained organically can label their products as GMO free per the United States Department of

The year 2015 marks the twentieth anniversary of bioengineered crops and genetically modified organisms’ (GMO’s) being grown, harvested and sold across the entire world. The percentage of people who are actually aware of this frankenfoods existence, however, are small in numbers and for a very terrifying reason. Already, labeling laws exist in 64 countries, including Japan, Russia, Australia and Brazil, but are coincidentally nonexistent in North America as a whole. This lack of awareness is the exact reason as to why all genetically modified foods, such as the Flavr Savr tomato, should have mandatory labeling laws placed upon them, similar to those discussed in Proposition 37. To be educated of the negative effects modified foods have on the human body while at the same time being properly informed should be a basic right, not a choice. Hence why the mandating of proper labeling laws in North America is an extremely important subject of discussion for everyone who consumes any sort of food.

A popular debate in the United States that’s been ongoing since 1990, is the labeling on Genetically Modified or Engineered foods otherwise known as GMO’s. Genetically engineered food is an unnatural process of plant or meat products. These two products have had their DNA artificially altered in a laboratory by genes from other plants, animals, viruses, or bacteria to produce foreign genes in food. Monsanto, an agriculture company, claims the reason behind this experimental genetic alteration was said to produce a multiplying supply to feed the world. Nevertheless, Americans are in a debate with the government to label genetically engineered food due to several reasons. Labeling genetically engineered ingredients will help consumers determine which products they decide to consume. The FDA published a policy that states they do not require labeling of GMO foods. Americans and people all over the world feel that they should have the right to know what they are purchasing and consuming due to a list of health, environmental, ethical, and religious reasons.

Since 1996, there has been an ongoing controversy over genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and whether they are ethical and safe for the sake of human health and the environment. Recently, the controversy has been centralized around whether companies should be required to disclose GMO use on their labelling. Many people feel strongly that it should be up to the consumer to choose whether to buy a product that contains GMOs or to eat only organic options which are defined by the USDA as being produced “using methods that preserve the environment and avoid most synthetic materials, such as pesticides and antibiotics” (“Organic Agriculture”). Fortunately, there are already ways that concerned consumers can tell if a product contains GMOs, such as through the non-GMO project which believes “consumers in North America should have access to clearly-labeled non-GMO food and products” (“The ‘Non-GMO Project Verified’ Seal”). Although this is a good place to start, the food industry has been using GMOs for a long time now with most of the public still unaware of their dominating presence on supermarket shelves. Labeling the products could be a compromise that satisfies both the consumer and the industry by eliminating liability from companies and increasing awareness for the consumer. Companies should have to disclose their use of GMOs in their labeling because it would allow consumers to make the conscious decision about whether or not to support GMOs.

Hence, even though American markets are full of foods containing GM ingredients, the use of labels will create a cleaner, safer, and healthier food industry that appeals to the public interest. While consumers’ ignorance to the production of their foods creates safety issues, these risks can be alleviated by implementing a mandate that will require labels on foods that have been genetically modified. Moreover, it is essential that American citizens begin to tackle the issue of labeling GMOs by spreading the word and raising awareness so that people are more equipped to deal with the problem; in addition, citizens must press the producers of natural foods to label their products as a “non-GMO” and press the government to create a federal, or

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

Genetic modified organisms (GMO) have been around for years this method is used to supply more food. Farmers have adapted the method of GM technology to increase the production. The regulation of genetic engineering concerns the approaches taken by the government’s access to manage the risks that such organisms can have on a person’s health. Many may concern about their health and the increasing usage of additives in their food. The federal government should make the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) label GM food so that the consumers can be aware of what they are consuming.

GMOs are not properly regulated in terms of safety measures as it pertains to food. As it pertains to risks to human health, concerns continue to mount regarding US governmental agencies due diligence in safety analysis of GMOs. For example, the FDA’s policy has been minimal based on their reliance of GMO producers