3. What Are Genetically Modified Foods?
How are they created ?
• Genetically Modified Foods are plants and animals whose
genetic makeups have been altered to produce new,
desired, characteristics
• To genetically modify a food, something known as
recombinant DNA technology is used
• Basically, a desired trait or gene is located and taken from
one organism and then combined with the DNA of another
organism, altering its DNA and resulting traits for the better
4. Reasons for the Production of
Genetically Modified Foods
• Foods can be genetically modified to improve resistance to
disease, pests and herbicides; thus improving overall crop
production and lessening crop failure
• Foods can be genetically modified to reduce their
maturation time, meaning that the foods can be grown and
matured at a faster rate; thus meaning that there is more
crop to sell and to feed to people
• Foods can be genetically modified to have increased or
added nutrients, such as vitamins or minerals, that
ultimately promote better health amongst consumers
5. Reasons against the Production of
Genetically Modified Foods
• There are potential health impacts including allergens, transfer
of antibiotic resistance markers, and other unknown or
untested effects
• There are potential environmental issues such as unintended
transfer of transgenes through cross-pollination, unknown
effects on other organisms (e.g., soil microbes), and loss of
flora and fauna biodiversity
• Other people are concerned about tampering with nature by
mixing genes among species, which could bring unforeseen
issues
6. Arguments for the Labeling of
Genetically Modified Foods
• Mandatory labeling of genetically modified foods in the United
States has been proposed, but not enacted, at the national,
state, and local levels
• Many argue that consumer’s have the right to know exactly
what is in their food with proper labeling, especially where it is
concerning GM foods that pose possible unknown health issues
• Many Americans avoid eating animal products, including animal
DNA, for ethical or religious reasons. In the near future it is
possible that many foods, including produce, can contain
animal DNA, but will not be labeled as such
7. Arguments against the Labeling of
Genetically Modified Foods
• Labeling GM foods would impose extra costs on suppliers as
they would have to relabel their products and grocers would
have to accommodate the need for separation of GM foods
and non-GM foods
• Labeling of GM foods would be interpreted as a warning
about their health effects when there has been no actual
proven major health differences between GM and
conventional foods, only nutritional and allergenic differences
• Many consumers do not support the consumption of GM
foods and as a result would not purchase many products once
they were labeled as GM; thus hurting the revenue of many
companies
8. My Opinion
• While I feel that GM foods are a beneficial technology to
society, I do believe that GM foods should be labeled.
• I strongly support the ‘consumer’s right to know’ idea, that all
consumer’s should know what they are buying and what is in
their foods
• There are possible health issues with GM food that while not
fully proven, should be acknowledged
• There are possible environmental impacts of GM foods that
consumer’s should be aware of
• About 20 countries in the European Union have already
imposed some degree of the labeling of GM foods
9. Bibliography
• Admin. "Label Genetically Engineered Food." Label
Genetically Engineered Food. The Center for Food Safety, 7
Nov. 2012. Web. 05 Jan. 2013.
• Bryne, P. "Labeling of Genetically Engineered
Foods." Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods.
Colorado State University Extension, 3 Aug. 2012. Web.
04 Jan. 2013.
• "Genetically Modified Foods and Organisms --HGP Ethical,
Legal, and Social Issues."Genetically Modified Foods
and Organisms --HGP Ethical, Legal, and Social
Issues. U.S. Department of Energy Genome Programs,
17 May 2012. Web. 05 Jan. 2013.
10. Bibliography
• Admin. "Label Genetically Engineered Food." Label
Genetically Engineered Food. The Center for Food Safety, 7
Nov. 2012. Web. 05 Jan. 2013.
• Bryne, P. "Labeling of Genetically Engineered
Foods." Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods.
Colorado State University Extension, 3 Aug. 2012. Web.
04 Jan. 2013.
• "Genetically Modified Foods and Organisms --HGP Ethical,
Legal, and Social Issues."Genetically Modified Foods
and Organisms --HGP Ethical, Legal, and Social
Issues. U.S. Department of Energy Genome Programs,
17 May 2012. Web. 05 Jan. 2013.
