Miller, a molecular biologist and physician and Gregory Conko, senior fellow at Competitive Enterprise Institution, argues in “Labeling of Genetically Modified Food Is Unnecessary and Unconstitutional” against labeling GM foods. They report, “Government mandated labeling of genetically modified foods would convey irrelevant information and would be a violation of the first Amendment” (pg.1). This is so far from the truth, conveying what is in what we eat is very relevant and not telling us is a violation of our first Amendment. They even go on to say that, “But instead of educating or serving a legitimate consumers’ “need to know” certain information, mandatory labels on gene-spliced food would imply a warning” (pg. 3).
Are We Playing Genetic Roulette? Essay by Elisha Sherman, age 18 2012 Since the introduction of commercially grown genetically modi!ed (GM) foods in the 1990’s, there has been much debate about whether or not GM products are safe for the environment or the health of humans and animals. Some question whether or not the use of this technology destroys heirloom seeds, contributes to honeybee colony collapse and if its course can be stopped and reversed if it is determined to be harmful. In this essay I have attempted to take look at both perspectives and reach a personal conclusion. Advocates for GM seeds and products claim it is a way to raise healthy crops with little risk to the farmer.
Vrein, “The Bt corn and soya plants that are now everywhere in our environment are registered as insecticides. But are these insecticidal plants regulated and have their proteins been tested for safety? Not by the federal departments in charge of food safety, not in Canada and not in the U.S.” However the United States Food and Drug Administration directly conflicts this statement with information directly on their website. Specifically they state the following, “Evaluating the safety of food from a genetically engineered plant is a comprehensive process that includes several steps. Generally, the developer identifies the distinguishing attributes of new genetic traits and assesses whether any new material that a person consumed in food made from the genetically engineered plants could be toxic or allergenic,” (FDA 2013) In these few sentences the FDA clearly and directly undercuts the entire argument set forth by Dr. Vrain.
2009 - To minimize the chance that Mad Cow Disease could enter the food chain, the U.S. permanently bans the slaughter of sick cows. 2011- Scientists are still discovering and documenting the ways that mad cow disease can be spread. Swiss scientists now know that inhaling prions, which float in the air at farms, factories and slaughterhouses can induce the disease. This makes it virtually impossible for the disease to be stopped because there are no laws against prions floating around in these places. In order to avoid getting Mad Cow Disease, you should avoid eating parts of the cow that may carry the infection.
Dear Senator, In less than two decades, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have replaced our diet with genetically ajusted foods, which can affect human health. GMOs are resistant to pesticides, and is created by splicing genes that are combined through genetic engineering, smething nature cant do instantly. Consuming these genetically, processed foods can lead to increased risk of diseases and even cancer. Most of the time we do not realize that we are eating these harmful toxins as they are infused in our food without our knowledge. While traditional farming choose to grow organic produce and struggle to keep their businesses alive.
The process changed when genetic engineering happened, now you could insert genes directly into the target organism, the process would only take years. Yet concerns have been raised by intrest groups and consumers, are the new “frankenfoods” safe to eat? (Posner,1) In today’s marketplace up to 70% of processed food is genetically modified for one purpose or another, and we are now just discovering the risks that they pose to our future. One argument against GM foods is that the modified plants will cross pollinate; breeding with non-modified crops and local fauna that cannot be regulated or controlled. As cross pollination can take place over large areas: “[n]ew genes may be included in the offspring of the traditional, organic crops miles away.”(Csanad,
One Thing At a Time There are many changes of the world and farming is one of the big ones. Farming is not anything like it use to be, it’s all about industrial agriculture. In Solvent Green, there is evidence that maybe just someday the world might run out of meat. In The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals Pollan does a great job of giving an explanation on how farmers don’t farm the old fashion way nowadays. In Solvent Green, it shows that if industrial agriculture continues on then people may resort to eating it inhabitants.
Doing so will remove the pesticides and the chemical that was use to make them grow. There is a health factor that affects both of them. Non organic foods lose some of the original food nutrients, and the crops are grown with the use of pesticides or any chemicals, which could also become toxic if consumed too often. On the other hand Organic food are grown naturally without any use of chemicals. It is rich in minerals, vitamins and fibers which protect your heart from cardiovascular diseases and also prevent the risk of cancer.
However, the documentary stated that the FDA does not conduct even ¼ as many food inspections as they used to in the 1970’s. Also, in 1998 the USDA introduced microbial testing, but even after some companies repeatedly failed testing, the USDA had no power to shut down these companies. One of the biggest problems is that our regulatory companies are now being controlled by the people who were either lobbyist for these food industries or were running them. We should be entitled to know about our food but have been so far removed and assume that everything we buy at the grocery store is healthy since it isn’t fast food. In reality though, there are only a handful of companies that control all the food in a supermarket or fast food restaurant.
Our culture and our obsession for the American meal to include meat and dairy products hasus killing ourselves. The factory farming industry is nothing more than a racket to obtain money by brainwashing the public to believe that it is healthy and not exposing the truth. The promotion of meat and dairy has us believing that we need them to be healthy, but as studies have shown it would appear to be just the