GMO Position Paper

Abstract

GMO foods are a controversial subject today. In this paper I will discuss some of pros of GMOs, thoughts for the future, personal opinions as well as other subjects concerning genetically modified foods and my research on the subject.

GMO Position Paper

What is the definition of Genetically Modified Foods? According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Genetically Modified Foods are foods produced from or using GM organisms (WHO, 2017). The issue of GMOs in food has become prevalent in today’s society.

It is a relevant issue to anyone who wants to make sure that they are living a healthy, risk-free life. Since it is such a hot topic today, there have been several studies and statistics found both for and against the use of GMOs in food. While many people and organizations believe that GMOs cause harm to humans, others have also found evidence that GMOs are actually healthier than traditional foods (ScienceDaily, 2015). According to respectable sources such as Purdue University, GMOs do not cause health issues, despite what critics think (Purdue, 2018). Although there have not been any negative effects to health from GMOs yet, many people believe that they can cause health issues. One study to prove this argument showed that rats who were exposed to corn that was Roundup (a toxic herbicide) tolerant were extremely prone to cancer (Healthline, 2016). However, it was later discovered that the scientists behind the study had used rats that were already cancer-prone and had only used a small sample size to perform their experiment (Healthline, 2016).

In my opinion, GMO foods are a positive thing to have in our world. There are several reasons why GMOs are a great option for improving the future of food. An issue that has needed a solution for years is world hunger. One viable answer to this devastating problem is the use of genetically altered foods. GMOs help farmers by producing more food, being more resistant to weather and bugs, and providing a cheaper option for people in poor countries. According to ScienceDaily, genetically modified foods can put an end to malnutrition by adding needed vitamins into foods, reducing the need for people to buy several different foods to get the nutrition they require for health (ScienceDaily, 2015). Even though organic foods appear to be healthier than modified foods, they are usually up to twice as expensive as well as not providing any health benefits (Stanford, 2012). This means that GMO foods are both as heathy as non-GMO and more affordable. Another reason I believe GMO foods are beneficial is because they can be modified to reduce the impact of natural plant killers such as bugs, diseases, and weather. In fact, GMOs have been able to reduce the use of pesticides on crops by an entire 8.1%, and if more plants were GMO, this number would decrease even further (GMO Answers).

If GMO foods are perfected and mass produced there will be a large reduction in the amount of people dying from starvation around the world. With crops being resistant to bugs, weather, and disease the world will be much better fed. I predict that if GMOs continue to be used and perfected, we will reap the benefits. It would result in more food, higher-quality, and at lower prices, which would lead to more people being able to afford their next meal.

I must admit that going into the debate, I did not have a strong opinion either way, because of a lack of information. Although I have a deeper understanding of GMOs and both sides of the debate, I still don’t feel extremely strongly about the subject. Instead, I became more concerned with the way that companies, with only their own self-interest in mind, completely control the output and study of GMO. While I don’t believe that the GMOs themselves are bad, I do think that the companies behind the production of GMO products could care less about the consumer’s health, and that is an issue worth looking into.

If I were to present the idea of GMOs to my family members, I would try to compile my facts correctly and strongly. My family is the kind that takes politics and life very seriously, so no doubt we would have an extensive discussion about GMOs if the subject was presented. So, if I were the one to start a conversation about GMOs, I would first be sure to have a thorough understanding of the subject. This paper and the GMO debate prep have certainly helped me to form a more educated opinion about modified foods.

Citation

Frequently Asked Questions on Genetically Modified Foods. World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 15 Feb. 2017, www.who.int/foodsafety/areas_work/food-technology/faq-genetically-modified-food/en/.

Do GMOs Lead to Increased Pesticide Use? GMO Answers, gmoanswers.com/do-gmos-lead-increased-pesticide-use

Your Body and GMOs. What Are GMOs?, Purdue University, 2018, ag.purdue.edu/GMOs/Pages/GMOsandHealth.aspx.

Brandt, Michelle. Little Evidence of Health Benefits from Organic Foods, Stanford Study Finds. EHR National Symposium, Stanford Medicine, 2012, med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2012/09/little-evidence-of-health-benefits-from-organic-foods-study-finds.html.

Colbert, Treacy. GMOs: Pros and Cons. Healthline, Healthline Media, 2016, www.healthline.com/health/gmos-pros-and-cons#cons.

Ghent University. GMOs with Health Benefits Have a Large Market Potential. ScienceDaily, ScienceDaily, 13 Jan. 2015, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150113090428.htm.

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