Paloma Thom

October 23, 2014

Genetically Engineered Food

Our food industrys methods have become increasingly alarming since the 20th century.
As the worlds population grows, its dependence on commodity crops, mass production, and low
prices grows with it. Corporate farms producing genetically modified food are bullying familyowned, natural farms out of business. Modern farms no longer portray an image of a tireless
farmer tilling his fields, nor livestock grazing in a pasture. Today, a mere two percent of the
population feeds our entire nation. Our food is produced in big factories, and a product of genetic
engineering. Genetically modified organisms, or genetically engineered foods, are produced from
organisms that have altered DNA by means of modern science and technology in order to
produce desired traits. These GM foods potentially are more beneficial to the consumer
compared to naturally grown seed, but apparent are the benefits companies are getting from the
patents of such organisms.
The idea behind these GM food is to acquire DNA from one organism and insert it into
another in order to produce a new, hybrid, organism. Desired traits may include: plant
resistance, insect resistance, herbicide tolerance, drought resistance, and potentially any other

quality. Although meant to be something of a fast-forward button in the field of evolution and
selective breeding, there are key differences from traditionally grown food that sets GM food
apart. Genetic engineering involves combining species genes that would never cross naturally.
On top of that, natural breeding uses two parent specimen, and include recessive and undesirable
traits. Transgenic engineering allows the moving of very few, specific, genes. The accurate
specificity of the transfer of genes from a foreign DNA to another does not naturally occur, thus
opening the doors to many potential benefits, along with potential risks.
There is still very little known about DNA alteration. The outcomes of this process are
still unknown. Foods containing GMOs are regarded as safe in the US because there have been
no reports of illness or injury. However, no adequate testing has been done. The government
based their approval of GMOs off of studies conducted by the same corporations who are
profiting from GMO sales. Genetically modified food is either considerably restricted or
completely banned in sixty other countries around the world including: Australia, Japan, and the
entire European Union. Despite the potential benefits of genetic engineering, it has yet to prove
any superior qualities to traditional seed that benefit consumers. Polls consistently show that the
majority of Americans do not want to consume genetically modified food, and the vast majority
desire the labeling of food containing genetically modified organisms. Big businesses spend
millions of dollars to keep that from happening.

We do not know what the outcome will turn out to be from scientifically modifying our
foods DNA, thus opening the door to an innumerable amount of hazards. Because of their
resistance to herbicide, GMOs are sprayed with a greater amount of harmful chemicals. Not only
is this hazardous to our health, its responsible for super weeds and big bugs which can only
be killed with toxic poisons. Major chemicals used in poisons like Agent Orange and DDT are
being sprayed on this food. Modified foods are at risk of unexpected or harmful genetic changes.
This could lead to these plants out-competing natural organisms, proving them invasive and
possibly leading to the extinction of a natural species. These plants can also be less resistant or
susceptible to certain pests. Genes from one plant to another could cause an allergic reaction for
consumers. We do not know nearly enough about DNA or gene transfer to be putting genetically
altered products on the market or selling them to the common public. There are too many risks
and too much unknown.
Avoid purchasing GMOs. Purchase organic and look for the Non-GMO Project label. Its
amazing how many people are ignorant to the threats of big corporations mass producing this
food. Help educate yourself and others by watching documentaries such as: The Future of
Food, Food Inc., King Corn, and The World According to Monsanto. Notify your local
grocery store you will no longer buy products containing GMOs. Notify government
representatives you want genetic engineering of our food stopped. Sign a petition for the labeling
and ending of GMOs. Say No! to GMOs three times a day.

Cites:
http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/
http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/gmo/db/
http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture
http://www.cornucopia.org/
http://animalsmart.org/animals-and-the-environment
http://www.nongmoproject.org/
http://www.who.int/foodsafety/en/
http://agbiosafety.unl.edu/basic_genetics.shtml
http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-education
Films: Food Inc. ; Future of Food ; King Corn