Genetically Modified Organisms

Grocery shopping is an overwhelming experience, especially when consumers are not aware of what is in their food and what the food will do to their bodies. It is estimated that nearly 70% of all foods at the grocery store contain Genetically Modified Organisms (Odyssey). Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) may be hidden in a variety of routinely purchased foods. While GMOs may be cheaper in price, the real cost comes in the form of consequences to the environment and human health. While many countries and even individual states within the U.S. have acknowledged their danger, the country as a whole has yet to place any restrictions on GMOs. Genetically modified organisms contribute to a variety of health-related issues such as allergic reactions
Growing plants in an area in which they are not typically exposed to, the surrounding environment is at risk for potential damage. GMO cross breeding can occur as a result of this. Pollens from a genetically modified crop could carry to a crop intentionally grown without the use of GMOs. Consumers could suffer the effects of GMOs and those who try to avoid GMOs would be unaware they’re consuming them. GMO plants designed to become resistant to herbicides can contaminate weeds and make it necessary for more time and work into GMO efforts and prevention (Pros and Cons of Genetically Modified Foods). Pollen from a GMO designed to be herbicide resistant could contaminate a weed and form a resistance in the weed (Genetically Modified Organisms). These specific weeds are called “Super Weeds,” plants that gain a resistance to herbicides and insects due to contamination by other Genetically Modified plants. GMOs are harming the environment just so that food companies can produce a food that tastes satisfying for a cheap price. In addition, harm could be inflicted upon not only pests, but insects that are beneficial to the farming process. Another environmental concern is if a farmer were to grow GMO crops in one season, but grow crops without the use of GMOs in the following season, GMO traces could return; this would start the cycle of negative effects over
¨The Center for Food Safety (CFS) filed a groundbreaking legal petition with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) demanding that the agency require the labeling of all food produced using genetic engineering¨ (The GMO Deception). Dating back to 1992, the FDA said that materially, GE foods are the same as those without. The FDA narrowed the differences to aspects of the food that could be sensed through any of the human senses; however, since GMOs cannot be picked up through these senses, it is not seemingly possible that GMOs can be ¨substantially equivalent¨ (The GMO Deception). The FDA utilizes a voluntary examination process in which companies that develop a GE crop are encouraged to share the data of studies they may have conducted on their GE crop (The GMO Deception). “A recent independent Canadian study found that a toxin from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which has been engineered into Bt corn, was present in the bloodstream of 93 percent of pregnant women, as well as in the fetal cord blood of 80 percent of pregnant women. These findings cast grave doubt on the biotechnology industry’s assurances-accepted at face value by federal agencies, including FDA- that the genetically engineered Bt toxin would be broken down by human digestive systems before entering the bloodstream… casts doubt on the