Genetically Modified Food

...

concerns due to the length of time genetically modified foods have been around; researchers believe genetically modified foods cause potential harm to humans and animals. Allergic reactions in humans are another disadvantage such as peanuts and other food consumption. There are also environmental issues; genetically modified plants are more prone to choking other plants leading to death in native plants. Genetically modified organisms potentially mutate in ways their growth becomes too large or with dangerous qualities (Genetically Modified Foods, 2014).

Some farmers can be sued for growing seeds for GMO foods tagged by their genetic markers. Some are concerned with crop plants engineered for herbicides tolerance and weeds will crossbreed resulting in the transfer of the herbicide resistance genes from the crops into the weeds (D. Whitman, 2010). Two possible solutions to ensure non-target species will not receive introduced genes from genetically modified plants are to create plants that do not produce pollen, or to modify the genetically modified plant to ensure the pollen is not introduced to the gene. Buffer zones throughout the fields of genetically modified crops, such as B.t. genetically modified corn so the non-genetically modified corn is not harvested (D. Whitman, 2010).

HOW GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS ARE CREATED

The creation of genetically modified foods was not done by anyone in particular. In 1983 a tobacco plant that was created to be resistant to an antibiotic was the first transgenic plant to be created. The first commercialized genetically modified plant was a delayed ripening tomato and it took ten years for that to happen in the United States but about two years later in 1996 tomato paste product which was genetically modified hit the United Kingdom supermarket shelves. During that same year a particular soy bean was genetically modified for the sole purpose to with stand the herbicide spray Roundup which is applied to fields to kill weeds was approved by the European Union for use to feed animals and human consumption. There are many reasons why genetically modified foods were created and here are a few of those reasons why in no particular order: 1) to avoid food spoilage because all food spoil and some spoil faster than others. 2) The time it takes for mature is a reason for genetically modified foods because if the food growth rate can be accelerated then those crops can make it to supermarket shelves faster. 3) The development of disease resistant strains of food is produced then this will allow for healthier foods being grown and reduce the amount of wasted food being thrown away due to disease. 4) Having the ability to enhance certain features on certain foods for example having the ability to grow seedless fruits and vegetables, larger tomatoes and cucumbers, fowl with meatier sections of meat such as breast, thighs and leg parts. Lastly 5) the most important enhancement of producing genetically modified food is having the ability to yield more crops and land animals because we are living in a world that is overly populated with humans and the number is growing.

Genetically modified crops in the United States are divided among three regulator agencies: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) (Federation of American Scientists, 2011).

The Environmental Protection Agency regulates bio-pesticides, including Bt toxins, under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (Federation of American Scientists, 2011). The Food and Drug Administration regulates the safety of Genetically Modified crops consumed by humans or animals. Under the Food and Drug Administration, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), Genetically Modified Crops are recognized as safe and do not require pre-market approval. Food and Drug Administration has the authority to apply strict provisions of Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), which require mandatory pre-market approval of food additives, regardless if they are products of biotechnology (Federation of American Scientists, 2011).

The Food and Drug Administration Consultative Process was established in 1997 with Genetically Modified crop developers to review determination of substantial equivalence prior to marketing the crop (Federation of American Scientists, 2011). In 2004, Senator Dick Durbin introduced legislation requires products grown in food crops receive pre-market approval regardless if it was intended to be eaten (Federation of American Scientists, 2011). Prior to producing pharmaceuticals in food crops, the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Food Safety and Applied nutrition conducted food-safety analysis to ensure accidental human exposure to the drug through the food supply will not cause health risks (Federation of American Scientists, 2011).

Oftentimes what looks good isn’t always good or healthy for us, which is why we have a right to know what we are eating. Consumers in the agribusiness industries believe labeling genetically modified foods should be voluntary and should be influenced by the demands of free market. The Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act is only concerned with food additives and not whole foods or products that are considered Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). Currently, the United States and Canada are not required to label genetically modified organisms, but other countries have greater restrictions. Whole Foods in Britain already labels their genetically modified organism products, as required by the European Union (C. Young, 2013). Therefore, Whole Foods across the United States will begin labeling their genetically modified organism products.

Should labeling Genetically Modified Foods become mandatory, there are several questions involved prior to implementing this. Will consumers be willing to absorb the increase in cost? Two separate processing streams may be required in order to differentiate the Genetically Modified Foods and the Non Genetically Modified Foods. Farmers must also be able to separate the two crops from mixing while planting, harvesting and shipping.

Genetically Modified Foods prices are no different from Non Genetically Modified Foods, supermarket prices are set based on shopper demographics, brand competition and store characteristics. Oftentimes, food companies redesign and re-launch products by adding new attributes to existing products by adding different flavors and ingredients. For marketing purposes, brands do not order more than a year’s worth of inventory of packaging because they are frequently updated.

The European commission has determined approximately one percent is acceptable limitation of cross-contamination, while consumer interest groups that only zero percent

...