Summary: Behind The Veil
Behind the Veil
Many controversies surround the use of genetically modified organisms in the production of food and crops in the United States and around the world. Although biotechnology has been around for centuries, in the last fifty years scientists have made innovations in the creation of new biotechnologies. Scientists have developed ways of genetically engineering the DNA of plants through genetic modification. Adjustments are made to the development, structure and composition by introducing precise DNA strings either from the same species or that of a variety of other plants (Halford). They modify certain DNA strings to produce desirable traits. We have spent billions of U.S. dollars on research, development and regulation of genetically …show more content…
With the amount of genetically modified foods in our supermarkets, the research and development of these products should be extensive. On the contrary, there is a shortage of adequate research on the issue of genetically modified foods being safe for human consumption. In a court proceeding against Monsanto, the reason for a general lack of evidence is that they require agreements between the seed growers and the seed producers concerning certain stipulations against outside scientists doing the necessary research. These agreements allow the research to be done only by the company’s scientists, whose salaries are paid by the company. “As a result of restricted access, no truly independent research can be legally conducted on many critical questions regarding the technology” (Tollefson 55). We have a right to know what we are eating and how our government is making decisions about what kinds of food stores and companies are selling us. This information could only benefit the public health; we are being kept in the …show more content…
“Environmental Effects of Genetically Modified Food Crops—Recent Experiences.” Food & Agriculture. Union of Concerned Scientists. n.d. Web. 9 Oct. 2012.
Olson, Erik D. "Protecting Food Safety: More Needs To Be Done To Keep Pace With Scientific Advances And The Changing Food Supply." Health Affairs 30.5 (2011): 915-923. Academic Search Complete. Web. 5 Nov. 2012.
Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association, v. Monsanto Company. No. 11 CIV 2163. United States District Ct Southern District of New York. 29 Mar. 2011. Web. 15 Oct. 2012
Strauss, Debra M. "Achieving The Food Safety Mandate: Bringing The USDA To The Table." Hamline Journal Of Public Law & Policy 33.1 (2011): 1-48. Academic Search Complete. Web. 5 Nov. 2012.
Teicher, Beverly A., and Paul A. Andrews. Anticancer drug development guide: preclinical screening, clinical trials, and approval. Vol. 1. Humana Pr Inc, 2004. Web. 10 Nov 2012.
Tollefson, Jon J., et al. "Conducting Public-Sector Research On Commercialized Transgenic Seed: In Search Of A Paradigm That Works." GM Crops 1.2 (2010): 55-58. MEDLINE. Web. 21 Oct. 2012.
U.S. Census Bureau. “U.S. & World Population Clocks.” U.S. Department of Commerce. Web. 30 Nov.
Many controversies surround the use of genetically modified organisms in the production of food and crops in the United States and around the world. Although biotechnology has been around for centuries, in the last fifty years scientists have made innovations in the creation of new biotechnologies. Scientists have developed ways of genetically engineering the DNA of plants through genetic modification. Adjustments are made to the development, structure and composition by introducing precise DNA strings either from the same species or that of a variety of other plants (Halford). They modify certain DNA strings to produce desirable traits. We have spent billions of U.S. dollars on research, development and regulation of genetically …show more content…
With the amount of genetically modified foods in our supermarkets, the research and development of these products should be extensive. On the contrary, there is a shortage of adequate research on the issue of genetically modified foods being safe for human consumption. In a court proceeding against Monsanto, the reason for a general lack of evidence is that they require agreements between the seed growers and the seed producers concerning certain stipulations against outside scientists doing the necessary research. These agreements allow the research to be done only by the company’s scientists, whose salaries are paid by the company. “As a result of restricted access, no truly independent research can be legally conducted on many critical questions regarding the technology” (Tollefson 55). We have a right to know what we are eating and how our government is making decisions about what kinds of food stores and companies are selling us. This information could only benefit the public health; we are being kept in the …show more content…
“Environmental Effects of Genetically Modified Food Crops—Recent Experiences.” Food & Agriculture. Union of Concerned Scientists. n.d. Web. 9 Oct. 2012.
Olson, Erik D. "Protecting Food Safety: More Needs To Be Done To Keep Pace With Scientific Advances And The Changing Food Supply." Health Affairs 30.5 (2011): 915-923. Academic Search Complete. Web. 5 Nov. 2012.
Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association, v. Monsanto Company. No. 11 CIV 2163. United States District Ct Southern District of New York. 29 Mar. 2011. Web. 15 Oct. 2012
Strauss, Debra M. "Achieving The Food Safety Mandate: Bringing The USDA To The Table." Hamline Journal Of Public Law & Policy 33.1 (2011): 1-48. Academic Search Complete. Web. 5 Nov. 2012.
Teicher, Beverly A., and Paul A. Andrews. Anticancer drug development guide: preclinical screening, clinical trials, and approval. Vol. 1. Humana Pr Inc, 2004. Web. 10 Nov 2012.
Tollefson, Jon J., et al. "Conducting Public-Sector Research On Commercialized Transgenic Seed: In Search Of A Paradigm That Works." GM Crops 1.2 (2010): 55-58. MEDLINE. Web. 21 Oct. 2012.
U.S. Census Bureau. “U.S. & World Population Clocks.” U.S. Department of Commerce. Web. 30 Nov.