2. What is it?
• Genetically modified foods are produced by changing the
genes of a plant/animal in a lab so that it can possess traits
that it wouldn’t naturally
• By doing this, scientists can change the characteristics of
that plant/animal and make them more desirable
3. How is it created?
• There are different techniques that scientists use to make
genetically modified foods
1. Agrobacterium Tumefaciens- inserts strands of DNA into
plants, as a result the plant can produce chemicals that it needs to
stay alive
2. Biolistics- gun fires a gene into the plant cell & it is carried on
pieces of gold in hopes that the cell will use the instructions on the
gene
3. Protoplasts- the cell walls are removed which makes access into
the cell easier for the DNA
4. Why create GM foods?
• Genetically modified foods can be better for the environment
because they are designed to be resistant to certain pests and
disease, and they do not have to be sprayed with pesticides which
damage the surrounding environment. GM foods could possibly
decrease the amount of pesticides farmers need to use in food
production and lower the pesticide levels on the earth
• Genetically modified foods are also beneficial health wise because
they can be infused with nutrients and vitamins, and have
enhanced quality and taste as well. Nutritional value of foods
increases because of the DNA injected into GM foods
5. What are the risks of GM
foods?
• Genetically modified foods may be harmful to consume. Since GM
foods are infused with new DNA, they could introduce new
allergens/toxins into food, which could cause people to have
serious reactions to the food
• Genetically modified foods could have numerous negative effects
on the environment including cross-pollination (unintended transfer
of genes). “Super-weeds” would begin to grow as a result, and take
out other species of plants.
6. Arguments for labeling GM
foods
• Many people believe that it is their right to know what is in their food
• Other nutritional facts are already labeled on products
• Consuming GM foods could be a health risk b/c we don’t know exactly what
is done to the product
• Would make it easy for people that want to steer clear of GM products to do
so
• For religious and/or ethical reasons, people do not want to eat
animals/animal DNA
• At least 21 countries including the European Union already have some sort
of mandatory labeling law in place
7. Arguments against labeling
GM foods
• Labeling is not necessary b/c if the food contains a nutritional/allergenic
difference, the FDA is already required to label this
• Labeling would make GM goods more expensive
• Retailers in other countries w/ labeling had to take GM foods off shelves b/c
customers wouldn’t buy them
• People who want all natural, not GM food already have the option to do so
• There isn’t enough room in food supply units to separate GM foods from non-GM
foods
• We would have to start educating people on how to read the GM label which
would take time and money
8. My opinion: Reason #1
I believe that genetically modified foods should be
labeled.
• My first reason for being in favor of labeling is because of potential health risks. If
there has been a modification done to the food I’m purchasing, I would like to know
what the risks are and what has been done to it before I eat it. Scientists claim that
there are no harmful effects of GM foods. However, we do not know this for sure, and
scientists have reasons to believe that they are not completely safe. “For
example, scientists recently found that the insecticide in GE corn is now showing up in
our bloodstream and the umbilical cord blood of pregnant women” (Just Label It).
Also, there is no law that states that scientists need to test the GM foods on people
before putting them on the market. We do not know for sure if GM foods are safe, and
therefore I think they should be labeled, so people know exactly what they are putting
into their body.
9. My opinion: Reason #2
• My second reason why I think genetically modified foods should be labeled is because I
think that it would be a good way for people to learn about GM foods. A lot of people
know nothing about biotechnology and what they are consuming. This is because there
are no labels to tell them. If there were labels on GM foods, people would become more
educated about what they’re buying. Here’s what oppositions have to say, “This may be
the greatest challenge faced be a new food labeling policy: how to educate and inform
the public without damaging the public trust and causing alarm or fear of GM food
products” (CSA). In my opinion, I do not think that people would run away from GM
foods. I think it would benefit everyone, because they would learn about the health risks
and what goes into the food they eat. We already have labels for other nutritional facts on
food products, so why not add one more. I’m in favor of labeling partially because of the
education that would result from it.
10. My opinion: Reason #3
• My third reason why I believe genetically modified foods should be labeled is
because other countries are already labeling GM products on the market. Why
shouldn’t the United States be required to do the same? “At least 21 countries and
the European Union have established some form of mandatory labeling” (Colorado
State University). People in various countries are able to know right away what they
are buying and consuming, if it is safe for them, the health risks involved, etc.
Citizens in the United States are left in the dark. By other countries labeling GM
foods, it leads us to believe that they know something we don’t. If GM foods aren’t
risky as producers claim, then there is no reason why the United States shouldn’t
be required to label the GM products. Putting a label on GM products would bring
us up to speed with other countries and benefit everyone.
11. Bibliography
• Byrne, P. "Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods." Labeling of Genetically
Engineered Foods. Colorado State University, Sept. 2010. Web. 09 Jan. 2013.
• Daley, Alex. "Is Genetically Modified Food Killing Us?" Is Genetically Modified Food Killing
Us? The Daily Reckoning, 26 Nov. 2012. Web. 09 Jan. 2013.
• "Genetically Engineered Foods." Just Label It. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Jan. 2013.
• "Genetically Modified Foods and Organisms." Better Health Channel. Deakin University of
Australia, Nov. 2011. Web. 9 Jan. 2013.
• "Genetically Modified Foods and Organisms." Genetically Modified Foods and Organisms -
HGP Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues. U.S. Department of Energy Genome Program, 17
May 2012. Web. 09 Jan. 2013.
• "Special Report: Food under the Microscope." BBC News. BBC, 18 May 1999. Web. 09 Jan.
2013.
• Whitman, Deborah B. "Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?" Genetically Modified
Foods: Harmful or Helpful? CSA, Apr. 2000. Web. 10 Jan. 2013.