GMOs: What Should We Do?

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There are a lot of different views in the ongoing debate over both the risks and benefits of food crops produced using biotechnology. There are those in favor of GMOs and those against GMOs, both sides holding many different reasons for their stance. Some of the biggest issues those against GMOs have right now are labeling laws, safety of GMOs, effects on the environment and economy—especially in developing countries—and the profit hungry companies behind GMOs. Some people want GMOs to be banned all together. Others want to know when the food they’re eating contains GMOs and if there are any long-term health effects of consuming GMOs, something which there has been much speculation on. Many just want more information, something the big companies aren’t currently providing.

            Whether or not foods containing GMOs should require labels has been a hot topic recently. At least twenty-one countries and the European Union have established some form of mandatory labeling. But in the United States, mandatory labeling of foods containing GMOs has only been proposed, not enacted at the national, state, or local levels. Mandatory labeling is necessary because consumers have the right to know what’s in their food, especially when it comes to products that have raised health and environmental concerns. Mandatory labeling is also important for consumers who need to identify and steer clear of food products that cause them problems or that—for religious or ethical reasons—they want to avoid eating, such as animal products, including animal DNA. Opponents of labeling use the expense and logistical difficulties of labeling along with their claim that no significant differences have been found between genetically engineered (GE) and conventional foods as reasons they’re against labeling laws. This issue could be easily addressed by enacting a mandatory labeling law for foods containing GMOs.

The safety of GMOs is also in question. Though mostly done in Europe, Russia, and other countries, there’s a growing body of scientific research showing that diets containing GE corn or soy cause serious health problems in mice and rats. Though some scientific studies have been done for Monsanto by universities, most of them were concerned with the field performance of the engineered crops. These studies, of course, found GMOs safe for the environment which to them also means safe to eat. These studies need to be taken more seriously. Government agencies need to replicate them instead of relying on studies paid for by the biotech companies. Monsanto’s genetically modified corn and soy plants that are all over our society are registered as insecticides. Insecticides that have not been tested for safety by FDA. There are no long-term studies that demonstrate the claims companies like Monsanto make that engineered corn and soy are safe. What we have are the scientific studies out of Europe and Russia, showing that rats fed engineered food died prematurely. Scientific literature has studies showing that engineered corn and soy contain toxic or allergenic proteins due to the damage done to a protein under biotechnology.

The biggest thing that needs to be done right now concerning GMOs is more research and more communication. The public doesn’t trust the big companies—the only ones conducting research right now—for good reason. They appear to care more about a profit than about addressing issues that many people have brought up with their products. The first step is a enacting a mandatory labeling law, then people can at least choose whether or not they want to consume GMOs. If there are enough people that have a mistrust of GMOs, then a lot of them will stop buying them and this will cause the companies to have to address the issue. Step one being more research, and explaining their research to the public.

Works Cited-

"10 Reasons to Avoid GMOs." Institute for Responsible Technology. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. <http://www.responsibletechnology.org/10-Reasons-to-Avoid-GMOs>. 

Byrne , P. "Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods." A division of the Office of Engagement. Colorado State University , n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. <http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09371.html>. 

Vrain, Thierry . "Former Pro-GMO Scientist Speaks Out On The Real Dangers of Genetically Engineered Food - Food Revolution Network Blog." Food Revolution Network Blog. Ocean Robbins, 11 May 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. <http://www.foodrevolution.org/blog/former-pro-gmo-scientist/>.