Recently, in the U.S there has been great debate over genetically altered/engineered foods and whether or not this is a threat to the world and our health, or an innovative solution to the hunger crisis we've encountered and to overcome the limitations of traditional farming and breeding. First of all, What is genetic engineering of our foods? Genetic engineering is when the genetic makeup of living organisms is disrupted and altered in order to enhance particular traits or genes without having to undergo what is considered lengthy and inaccurate natural breeding, which by the way is always preferable. GE also allows for genetic material from one organism to be extracted and inserted into the permanent genetic code of another which can be kind of scary if you think about it... Fish can now be injected with cattle growth genes or a tomato with Flounder genes all to ensure a nice plentiful size. Such human alterations of food are being patented and released into the market.
Many studies have shown that the genetically processed and engineered foods being released into the market for human consumption can pose a great threat to human health. Some of the risks can include toxicity, allergenicity, antibiotic resistance, immune-suppression and even cancer. Despite this, government has not established any ground rules to control GE and how it is being used and there are many who even believe that GE foods do not need to be labelled as such in order to inform the consumer. Don't we all have a right to know what we are eating and buying for our families to consume?
There are also great dangers and damages that affect our environment and nature as a result of genetically altering foods. The use of genetic engineering in agriculture causes biological pollution, threatens numerous microbial, plant and animal species with extinction, and can ptentially contaminate all non-genetically engineered life forms with new and possibly hazardous genetic material.
Some believe that the genetic altering of foods can be the answer to many issues such as the elimination of pesticidesand herbicides but the truth is that farmers who grow GE crops actually use more herbicide, not less. They also argue that this is the answer to eliminate starvation worldwide and provide enough food supply for the expected population boom in the next 50 years but the scientists, who represent many of the nations affected by poverty and hunger, say gene technologies would undermine the nations' capacities to feed themselves by destroying established diversity, local knowledge and sustainable agricultural systems which can lead to increased hunger and starvation.
I am no scientist and there may be much of this issue that I do not know about but I will say that it is my belief that there are things in life that are meant to be natural and untouched and that should be left alone. The crossing of genes from one species to another and one living organism to another is simply too scary and invasive for me to swallow. It seems that humans are so eager to obtain financial profit and total control that we are risking lives and our health in the process. I hope that as these Genetically altered foods are released into the market there are also regulations put in place to label these accordingly and inform the public of the process that these foods have underwent and then the consumer can at least be given the chance to make an educated decision regarding the risks and his or her health.
Meanwhile here is a list of some of the major foods in the market that are genetically altered.
*NOTE: Up to 40 percent of U.S. corn is genetically engineered along with 80 percent of soybeans. It is estimated that upover 60 percent of processed foods on supermarket shelves--from soda to soup, crackers to condiments--contain genetically engineered ingredients.
Grocery list of genetically altered foods:
Corn
Canola Oil
Soy Beans
Cotton
Potatoes
tomatoes
fish
pig/pork
sugar
Most fruits and vegetables are currently being being tested on and gene-altered varieties are being released into the market.
REFERENCE WEBSITES:
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