86% of all corn crops produced by the end of this year will have been genetically modified. (NEXT SLIDE) Many of us have probably heard the term GMO before. But today I would like to inform you on what GMOs are, why they’re being used and which foods exactly are genetically engineered. In addition to this ill provide some information on the labeling of GMOs and the risks and effects of them. You yourself probably eat GMOs every day; 30,000 different GMOs exist on grocery store’s shelves. (NEXT SLIDE)
To begin, GMO literally stands for Genetically Modified Organisms. Expanding on that, these organisms, that are genetically modified, are plants or animals created through the gene splicing techniques of biotechnology. This experimental …show more content…
(NEXT SLIDE) There has been no long-term human testing of the results of consuming these foods. This is the case due to the fact that there is no labeling. This “non labeling” of the genetically modified foods, leads to no traceability of harmful effects and therefore, there is no liability. But, there has been years of animal testing with GMOs. This animal testing has shown infertility, immune system suppression, accelerated aging, allergic reactions and altered genes and organs. A 2005 study was done on two pregnant rats. (NEXT SLIDE) One was fed a natural soy and the other a GM soy. After each of the rats gave birth to their litters, the litter that’s mother was fed GM soy were a 1/3 of the size of the litter that’s mother was fed the natural soy. This study showed the birth size effects of GMOs on the babies of the mother. But, GMOs have not been proven harmful to humans. There is a list of potential health risks that have been considered but not tested, including allergens, increased toxicity, decreased nutrition, and antibiotic resistance. As a result of the fact that the human consumption on GM foods is not adequately tested, the US is really unsure and unclear of the