GMOs and the Food Industry

Abigail Mechley, Drew Reichenbach, Amy

Gilligan, Tim Reiman, Heather Hurst

Should GMO Labeling Be Required?

The Pro-Label Argument

Most anti-GMO organizations, such as LabelGMOs.org and Down To Earth:

Organic and Natural, demand The Right to Know whats in food
GMOs have potential undiscovered risks, and have not been proven safe
(LabelGMOs.org)
The Center for Food Safety points out that if you want
information on any other aspect of a food product,
you simply read the label.

The Anti-Label Argument

However, there are many reasons that labeling of GMOs could do more
harm than good.
Labels are perceived as warnings or
signs of danger
GMOs have no evidence supporting that
they could be harmful
Most reputable sources show the
opposite for mammals and humans.
Additionally, general food prices could go
up due to GMO labeling

The Anti-Label Argument (cont.)

In addition, some groups against labeling point to the difference between

cisgenic and transgenic GMOs

Cisgenic GMOs are made using genes from a sexually compatible organism (for example,
putting wild apple genes into a Red Delicious)

Transgenic GMOs are made using genes from a non-sexually compatible organism (for
example, if the genes of a carrot were put into con)

Neither is actually more dangerous, but a lot of people consider cisgenic

GMOs to be more natural since they simply speed up a process which
could be gone through with traditional breeding.

Timeline of GMOs

Timeline of GMO Use in Foods

Hybridization could be thought of as an early form of genetic

modification, this technique has been used for millenia
After the discovery of DNA, Monsanto and other food corporations
optimized many food staples to produce certain traits
1982: The Supreme Court ruled that genetically modified organisms could
be patented, corporations invested huge sums of money into GMO
research
1988: Monsanto designed glyphosate-tolerant soybeans-- most commonly
used GMO.

Do GMOs cause food allergies/intolerances?

Does anybody have experience with cutting GMOs out of their diet?
Most common thought is that GMOs cause gluten intolerance
Some people also connect it to rise in allergies such as dairy, fish, and
nuts

Links between GMOs and allergies

Not a whole lot of research has been done yet

It will take many years to find conclusive evidence
Of all the research done there has been no evidence to support the claim
that GMOs cause food allergies

Research done

Food Allergy Research: nearly any food is capable of causing an allergic

reaction

GMOs are not causing reactions, but just the food itself

Institute of Food Research: to date, no food derived from GMOs had

been found to cause new allergies

Not likely that GMOs cause celiac disease because there is no genetically
modified wheat on the market

Only one study shows any connection

Rats were given genetically modified soy

When the female rats were fed the soy, their babies only had a fifty
percent survival rate
The male rats had sperm development issues
Soy contains phytoestrogens which have been the topic of controversy
Could just be the fact that they were fed soy and not that it was
genetically modified

To conclude
To date there is no connection between food allergies and GMOs

Pros and Cons of GMOs

Pros of GMOs
Thought of with negative connotation
Probably consume GMOs every day
GMOs meet expectations, what people want
Sovereign Magazine
Without GMOs
There would be no seedless watermelons
No blueberries the size of grapes
All have been genetically engineered
Engineered to meet consumers desires

Pros (continued)

Can help solve world hunger

From American Radio Works
Grow bigger fruits, vegetables-feed impoverished
Help provide nutrients, larger quantities/sizes
Also, GMOs reduce the use of pesticides
Study found being able to modify, result in less pesticides
Since plants are engineered to not need pesticides

Cons of GMOs

Negative effects on human health as found in Better Nutrition Magazine

Study conducted that found once GMOs were eliminated, health
improved
Shows negative effects GMOs have on human health
Also have negative impact of plants, animals and environment
Some believe use of GMOs now will lead to pollution in future
Future health implications

Cons (continued)
Negative effects on plants and animals in article GMO: The
Biggest Food Con
Chemicals kill surrounding plant life
Similar to poisons and insecticides
Same chemicals in Agent Orange, Round Up
Animals harmed
Chickens injected with many GMOs
Break their legs from excess weight

The Impact of GMOs Around the World

Agricultural Impact of GMOs Around the World

Countries have varying policies regarding farming and food production

which makes GM use an arduous process to bring to each region
In developing countries, GM crops have mutations that makes previously
infertile land a site for farming
Africa, Brazil, Argentina, and India depend on GM use on infertile land to
produce a reliable harvest
Most popular in India, China, and the US because they contribute to 98%
of global production

Economic Impact of GMOs Around the World

Big export regions like United States and India rely on GM crops to
reliably produce cotton and corn necessary for trading
EU ban on GMO use requires other countries to find another region to
export to and makes their imports more tightly regulated
Despite similar economies, US doesnt use GMOs and EU does because of
differing consumer expectations, tastes, and farm interest groups
Despite potentially detrimental environmental effects of GMOs, some
countries cannot afford to ban them because the non GM patent is
expensive, and makes the food more expensive

Ethical Impacts of GMOs Around the World

Some regions are forced into GMO use because not using them is seen
as a social justice issue
Food inequality and health risks associated with malnutrition outweigh
the possible allergen issues and environmental damage
Constant struggle between providing safe food for people and providing
food for people in general
Many GM crop seeds are patented and therefore expensive for
developing countries to use, causing issues in food equality

Sources

"Center for Food Safety | Issues | GE Food Labeling | About GE Labeling." Center for Food Safety. Center for Food Safety, 6 Dec. 2011. Web. 9
Oct. 2015.

"GMO Foods Should Be Labeled." Down to Earth Organic and Natural. Down To Earth Organic & Natural, 12 Dec. 2011. Web. 9 Oct. 2015.

Lim, XiaoZhi. "Are GMOs Causing an Increase in Allergies? | Genetic Literacy Project." Genetic Literacy Project. N.p., 16 Apr. 2014. Web. 26
Sept. 2015. <http://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/2014/04/16/are-gmos-causing-an-increase-in-allergies/>.

Metcalfe, Dean D. "Introduction: What Are The Issues In Addressing The Allergenic Potential Of Genetically Modified Foods?."Environmental
Health Perspectives 111.8 (2003): 1110. Health Source - Consumer Edition. Web. 28 Sept. 2015.

O'Connell, Elizabeth. "64 Countries around the World Label GE Food - GMO Inside." GMO Inside. GMO Inside, 6 May 2013. Web. 8 Nov. 2015.
<http://gmoinside.org/64-countries-around-the-world-label-ge-food/>.

Schouten, Henk, Frans Krens, and Evert Jacobsen. "Cisgenic Plants Are Similar to Traditionally Bred Plants: International Regulations for
Genetically Modified Organisms Should Be Altered to Exempt Cisgenesis." EMBO Reports. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 7 Aug. 2006. Web.
10 Oct. 2015.

Smith, Jeffery M. "Institute for Responsible Technology." Institute for Responsible Technology. Spilling the Beans, May 2007. Web. 25 Sept. 2015.
<http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-dangers/health-risks/articles-about-risks-by-jeffrey-smith/Genetically-Engineered-Foods-May-CauseRising-Food-Allergies-Genetically-Engineered-Soybeans-May-2007>.

SMITH, MELISSA DIANE. "SAY NO TO Gmos." Better Nutrition 73.3 (2011): 46-50. Health Source - Consumer Edition. Web. 28 Sept. 2015.

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