final draft

Kennan Patton

Professor Kerr

EN101-23

11/29/2011

Better Science

Approximately 80% of American processed foods contain some form of genetic modification (“Genetically”), and it can be anything from color, taste, size, or even added vaccines. The FDA has no guide lines on genetically modified foods as far as making companies tell people if they use genetically modified foods in their products or not, but don’t try and tell that to the people that want genetically modified foods labeled and regulated. The people who want labels try to use scare tactics to get everyone on their side of the argument, which is why this essay will be defending genetically modified foods and the current FDA position. Genetically modified foods need not be labeled, there are more advantages then disadvantages to having them, and more chefs use them then oppose them.

Genetically modified foods should not be labeled. The first genetically modified foods were sold in 1996 as oils like corn, soybean, and canola (Holmes). Most people don’t even know that they are eating genetically modified foods and most don’t care. Labels on genetically modified foods would imply a warning about a health effect. No significant differences between genetically modified foods and conventional foods have been found. If a nutritional difference were found in a genetically modified food, current FDA regulations would require a label to that effect (“Labeling”). The next reason why genetically modified foods should not be labeled is because a label would be for people who want to buy non-genetically modified foods and they already have that option with organic foods which are not genetically modified ("Labeling”). Another reason why genetically modified foods should not be labeled is the cost of labeling ("Labeling “). If the packing plant does not put the label on (in most case they probably won’t) then someone would have to pay a third party to label and to find out what ingredients are genetically modified. Time is money and for people who don’t care if their food has been genetically modified or not labeling should be by past. The people who buy organic food will cost everyone else more money by saying that genetically modified foods must be labeled. The last reason why genetically modified foods should not be labeled is the food system infrastructure. The food system infrastructure (storage, processing, and transportation facilities) in the US could not handle the need for segregation of genetically modified and non-genetically modified products (“Labeling”). In the transporting of foods, in order to maintain segregation two trucks would be needed to go to the same places. This would increase costs if a restaurant has to pay for two trucks to bring their food, they are paying more for the food that they are making. The same thing would happen at the grocery stores and this effects not just genetically modified food but all food. The reasons why genetically modified should not be labeled are that the people that want the labels don’t eat genetically modified, the food system infrastructure, could not handle the change, and the cost. That is why genetically modified foods should not be labeled.

Some people think genetically modified foods should be labeled. The first reason is consumers’ have a right to know what is in the products or what was done to the products that they are buying (“Labeling”). I have no problem with this but to require a label to tell people that part of a product is genetically modified just seems a bit overboard. The next reason why people think that genetically modified foods should be labeled is so people who don’t want genetically modified foods can stay clear of genetically modified foods (“Labeling”), but all they have to do is buy only organic food to avoid this problem. The next reason why people think that genetically modified foods should be labeled is that the majority of people want mandatory labeling of genetically modified foods (”Labeling”) most people are not aware of the price increase that it will cause. The last reason that people think that genetically modified foods should be labeled is that there are 21 other countries and the European Union that have already made labeling mandatory for genetically modified foods. But the US does not do what Europe does otherwise the US would be using the metrics system for all measures, Celsius for all temperatures, and have different shoe and clothing sizes. In fact, the US has never done what Europe has done just because the US is just a bunch of rebels at heart. The reasons why people think genetically modified foods should be labeled include consumers’ rights, avoiding foods, majority rules, and global standards.

What are the advantages of genetically modified foods? According to a Web MD article “Experts say 60% to 70% of processed foods on U.S. grocery shelves have genetically modified ingredients” ("Genetically Modified”). In the same article it says

“Researchers from the Food Policy Institute at Rutgers' Cook College found that only 52% of Americans realized that genetically modified foods are sold in grocery stores and only 26% believed that they have ever eaten genetically modified foods -- a modest 6% increase since 2001”. ("Genetically Modified”)

So if at least sixty five percent of the food in stores are genetically modified foods and have been since 2001, odds are most everyone has been eating genetically modified foods for ten years and have not noticed any side effects from genetically modified foods. This fact just adds to the numbers that will be used to say that there are no side effects from genetically modified foods, so they are safe to eat.

And to note the other advantages they include; pest resistance, cold tolerance, drought tolerance, and pharmaceuticals. The first is pest resistance. Crop loss from insects was something that all farmers had to deal with, but with genetically modified foods this is not the case anymore. They can make food that can keep the pest away on their own. According to an article written by Deborah B. Whitman

Consumers do not wish to eat food that has been treated with pesticides because of potential health hazards, and run-off of agricultural wastes from excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers can poison the water supply and cause harm to the environment. (Whitman)

People don’t want genetically modified food but they don’t want pesticides either, and there’s less and less farm land to grow crops so the US needs to use one of these techniques to insure that we have plenty of food. Next is cold tolerance, unexpected frost can kill acres of crops and leave tons of produce off the shelves, but by adding “An antifreeze gene from cold water fish has been introduced into plants such as tobacco and potato” (Whitman) farmers could give plants a fighting chances to make it through early spring when the plants will have to face the greatest odds of frost. Next is drought tolerance, whenever a plant can go long periods without water it will give farmers more flexibility so they don’t have to water the plants and they try to wait on rain to save them money that they can pass along to the consumer. The last one is pharmaceuticals, and according to Whitman “Researchers are working to develop edible vaccines in tomatoes and potatoes. These vaccines will be much easier to ship, store and administer than traditional injectable vaccines” (Whitman), and with these genetically modified foods the US can help third world countries. So with all the advantages of genetically modified foods it’s easy to see why they are a popular choice for farmers.

What are the disadvantages of genetically modified foods? There are no proven disadvantages when it comes to genetically modified foods. Most people worry that the genetically modified plants will breed with weeds and make some kind of super weed (“Disadvantages”), but there is no proof that this will happen. The next concern is that they may be harmful to people, but again there is no proof to back up this claim. Genetically modified foods have been out for ten years and there is no evidence against genetically modified foods.

The last point is whether genetically modified foods should be used in restaurants. A question that is not so easy to answer. Some will say that you can’t use genetically modified foods in restaurants, but there is a group that is saying yes you can and they are getting bigger. One chef in Australia says that genetically modified foods could "potentially help millions of people around the world"(MARCUS). Later in that same article it says “The mainstream chefs don't have any problem with GM. . . but there are a lot of 'celebrity chefs' who have a different agenda . . . they are catering to a very select clientele who have strong philosophical views about how food is produced" (MARCUS). When one thinks about it most restaurants are already using genetically modified foods. The only chefs that are thinking about not using genetically modified foods are celebrity chefs. The guests just sit back and eat whatever comes out of the kitchen.

With around 65% of the food in the grocery stores already being genetically modified and an alternative food for people who don’t want genetically modified foods. All of the advantages that genetically modified foods provide it is easy to see why the US backs genetically modified foods. At this time the advantages outweigh the disadvantages to not use genetically modified foods.

Works Cited

"Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Food." Want to Know It | Answers to Life's Questions | Everything Blog. Web. 27 Nov. 2011. .

"Genetically Modified Foods (Biotech Foods) Pros and Cons." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. .

Genetically Modified Foods. Web. 27 Nov. 2011. .

Holmes, Bob (14 July 2010). "Altered animals: Creatures with bonus features". New Scientist.

"Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods." Colorado State University Extension. Sept. 2010. Web. 25 Nov. 2011. .

MARCUS, CAROLINE. "Chefs Stir Up the Heat On GM Food." Http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au. 06 Feb. 2011. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. .

Whitman, Daborah B. "Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?" CSA. Apr. 2000. Web. 26 Nov. 2011.