Genetically Modified Foods—To Eat or Not to Eat?
1 New questions and concerns about the safety and quality of our food seem to arise every day. “What is in our food?” “Where was it grown?” “Is it healthy and nutritious?” One increasing concern involves foods that contain genetically modified organisms, or GMOs.
A photo shows laboratory glassware behind two ears of corn
What Are GMOs?
2 A genetically modified organism is one whose genes have been altered. Genes from one species are inserted into a second species. The goal of this process is to introduce a desired trait or characteristic into the second species. For example, corn is vulnerable to certain kinds of worms that eat and destroy the corn stalks. Genes can be taken from some bacteria and inserted into the corn. These genes from the bacteria enable the corn to produce proteins that kill the worms. This genetically modified corn is now resistant to these pests. Other plants, such as tomatoes, have been genetically altered in a similar fashion, to remain fresher longer.
Characteristics of GMO Plants
Trait
Advantage
Pest-resistant
Less damage by insects or viruses
Herbicide-resistant
Herbicides kill only weeds, not crop
Delayed ripening
Easier shipping
Size
Increased consumer satisfaction
Cold-resistant
Withstand freezing
Which Foods Are Typically Modified?
3 Genetically modified plants are a relatively recent development. Since introduced in the 1990s, many of these new plants have proven incredibly popular with farmers. In the United States, between 87% and 95% of the four most common crops used in processed foods contain GMOs: soy, canola, sugar beets, and corn.
4 Because most processed foods contain at least one of these products, most packaged food sold in the United States is genetically modified. Packaged foods that are most likely to contain GMOs include cereals, snack foods (such as crackers and cookies), and processed luncheon meats. Some estimates of the percentage of processed food in the United States that contain GMOs are as high as 80 percent.
What Do GMOs Do?
5 Like most innovations, genetically modified foods are not without controversy. Supporters say that GMOs allow more crops to be grown under difficult conditions. A greater yield means more fruit or vegetables for the consumer and more income for the farmer. Because GMO plants are modified to be resistant to pests, there is less need for pesticides, thus they are less expensive for farmers and better for the environment. Plants can also be modified to increase their nutritional value, with added protein or vitamins.
6 However, not everyone is convinced that genetically modified foods are beneficial. Opponents say that too little research has been done on the effects of GMOs on humans and on the environment. They argue that GMOs could be creating new poisons. They are also concerned about what might happen if genetically modified plants breed with wild plants. Some farmers are concerned about the possibility of inadvertently crossbreeding GMO plants with non-GMO plants. For example, if the pollen from a GMO plant blows into their organic field, now that organic crop could become a GMO crop. The possibility also exists that all this interbreeding could lead to new strains of herbicide-resistant super-weeds.
To Label or Not to Label?
A photo shows an older couple grocery shopping and reading food labels
7 Because of these concerns, many consumers want to know if the food they eat contains GMOs. While current food labels in the United States provide a wealth of information about vitamins, additives, and preservatives, they tell consumers nothing about the presence of GMOs. These people believe that the federal government should pass laws mandating the labeling of genetically modified foods. Some individual states have recently called for the labeling of genetically engineered foods.
Mandatory Labeling of Foods Containing GMOs
8 Opponents of mandatory labeling say it is unnecessary and that genetically modified foods are perfectly safe. The table below illustrates these issues.
Pro
Con
Consumers have a right to know what is in their food.
Labeling implies a health risk, which has not been demonstrated.
Surveys show Americans want to know if their food has GMOs.
Consumers who want non-GMO foods can buy foods labeled organic.
The European Union and 21 other countries have mandatory labeling laws.
Labeling is too expensive. Testing would have to be done on every product to determine the presence of GMOs.
9 Because of resistance by the food industry, mandatory labeling of food for GMOs throughout the United States is unlikely to begin any time soon. The controversy over GMOs will continue.
What does the word mandating mean in paragraph 7 of the passage?
a)limiting
b)suggesting
c)considering
d)requiring