Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Labeling Legislation...

Did you know, the â€Å"‘Monsanto Protection Act’ effectively bars federal courts from being able to halt the sale or planting of controversial genetically modified (aka GMO) or genetically engineered (GE) seeds, no matter what health issues may arise concerning GMOs in the future† (â€Å"5 Appalling Facts†)? Genetic engineering allows genetic material to be transferred between any organism, including between plants and animals. Genetically modified foods have been in existence since the early 1990s and they are not going away any time soon. In the European Union, â€Å"Member States may provisionally restrict or prohibit the use and/or sale of the GM product on its territory.† However, the Member State must have a justifiable reason to consider that†¦show more content†¦If rats’ immune systems become compromised after eating GM foods, humans, who have been ingesting these foods for about two decades should be able to make informe d decisions to prevent any health issues from arising. By looking at a label on a product and making a selection whether to consume a GMO or not is a consumer’s choice, but it starts with farmers making the choice whether or not they grow GMOs; their choice can affect the environment and biodiversity in the area GMOs are planted. When farmers grow genetically modified foods, they are damaging the environment; by labelling these foods, consumers can choose whether to support GMO farmers or go with organic or conventional growers. Ronnie Cummins, founder of the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) mentions that â€Å"scientists estimate that herbicide-resistant crops planted around the globe will triple the amount of toxic broad-spectrum herbicides used in agriculture† (Genetically Engineered Foods 18). These herbicides are bad for the environment because all non-GMO plants will be killed if these chemicals spread. This would possibly destroy ecosystems and reduce bio diversity between plants and other species. When GM crops are planted, there are less weed flowers; therefore, there is less nectar for pollinators. In addition, toxins released into the soil from GM plants’ roots mean fewer soil bacteria come to exist in an ecosystem (Glass). When GMOShow MoreRelatedGenetically Modified Organisms And Replace Conventional Food Production Techniques And The Safety Of The Foods Produced1290 Words   |  6 PagesThere exists a debate over the use of genetically modified organisms to replace conventional food production techniques and the safety of the foods produced. In 2014, the Pew Research Center conducted a survey of the general public and reported that out of a survey of 2,000 individuals 57% of individuals believed it unsafe to consume genetically modified foods, 25% considered it safe, and 6% either did not know or did not answer (Funk and Rainie). In sharp contrast to this statistic, when asked theRead MoreInformative Speech Outline : Genetically Modified Organisms886 Words   |  4 PagesSophia Basaldua 05 October, 2016 Informative Speech Outline: Genetically Modified Organisms Introduction I. Open with impact: A. 1,996 pounds, or nearly one ton. This is an estimate of how much — by weight — the average American eats over the course of one year. II. Thesis Statement: In fact, the food industry states that 75-80 percent of foods contain genetically modified ingredients, and I am here today to give you information about them. III. Audience Connection: A. In simplest terms, we allRead MoreFood Labeling And Its Effects On Food Safety1541 Words   |  7 PagesThroughout the U.S, citizens have questioned the use of GMOs in their foods making it a strong topic within agriculture. GMOs have been around since the 1900s to create organisms with modified and desirable traits. Genetic modification of food, sometimes referred to as genetically engineered (GE) foods or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), involves the transfer of one or more genes to a plant or animal using the tools of biotechnology with the purpose of forming a desired trait, such as pestRead MoreGenetically Modified Organisms ( Gmo )1236 Words   |  5 PagesLayla Sugawara 4/12/15 9/Fe Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) A genetically modified organism (GMO) is any organism whose genetics has been altered by some form of technology. GMOs were first developed from the idea of selective breeding or artificial selection. Selective breeding or artificial selection is when humans purposely breed two selected organisms to reproduce a offspring with a desired trait. The beginning of genetic engineering is unclear. Before the 1900s, some farmers and naturalistsRead MoreEthics Of Genetically Modified Organisms1382 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) entails a process whereby plants, animals, and microorganisms can be altered at the genetic or DNA levels in a way that does not occur naturally through mating or natural recombination. Human involvement in the natural selection process has been around since the dawn of humanity; originally in the form of specific animal breeding to gain better species with more adaptations for their specific uses. The arguments that surrounds the topic of Genetically ModifiedRead MoreEssay on GMO Labeling1697 Words   |  7 PagesGMO labeling 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 peoples 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 plantedRead MoreBenefits Of Genetically Modified Organisms840 Words   |  4 Pagesplaced strain on our planets’ limited food resources, resulting in increased mortality rates due to hunger and starvation. GMO’s, also known as genetically modified organisms, are plants or animals that have had their genes directly manipulated by humans, that claim to help solve this problem, along with providing additional benefits to society. Genetically modified plants promise to have increased crop yield, resistance t o disease and pests, and maximized nutritional value, to help reduce food productionRead MoreA Long Day At Work And Now1574 Words   |  7 Pages Confused, you do some research and find out that it is a Genetically Modified Organism. (GMO) A GMO is, â€Å"an organism whose genome has been altered by the techniques of genetic engineering so that its DNA contains one or more genes not normally found there.† Having that in mind, is it okay to alter genetics? Whether it’s food or a living thing? Before you can answer that, there is much to be learned about these GMOs. The history of GMOs go way back to the mid 1800s when a monk named Gregory MendelRead MoreGuidelines For Gmo Labeling Policy1518 Words   |  7 PagesAdministration that GMOs do not need to be labeled, despite the consumers’ desire for GMO labeling. Consumers’ demanding to know what is in their food has lead to the proposed legislation of GMO labeling from more than twenty states. Health safety is a large part of the proponents’ argument for GMO labeling (Murray 2016). The consumers right to know, right to choose, and ethical rights are also all reasons for GMO labeling policy. The oppositions’ arguments against mandatory GMO labeling are that it couldRead MoreNo Fear Of Gmos Genetically Modified Organisms1447 Words   |  6 PagesNo Fear of GMOs Genetically modified organism, to some people this can be a scary word and other people it doesn’t bother at all. When some think of genetically modified organisms, these crazy images of cross bred plants and animals with extra limbs or odd features come to mind when in reality, genetically modified organisms or GMOs are very normal organisms that are important to society. More recently there has been heated debates over GMOs and how they should be labeled for the public, but that