Elizabeth Ehle
ENC1101.603x10
Genetically Engineered food proven as dangerous
Imagine finding out in 10 years a new defect in your body was caused by genetically engineered foods you consume, regularly, from the grocery store. Visualize that there is nothing that can be done about this defect, because your generation is the first to discover this issue. Genetically engineered food should be outlawed because it potentially causes health issues to unsuspecting people. This food was created almost two decades ago, “GE foods are produced when scientists remove a copy of a gene from one organism and transfer that gene to a different organism” (Palmer). The process of genetically engineered food has many side effects that harm the health of humans. The new gene, which usually produces a new protein in the cell that confers a beneficial trait, then becomes integrated into every cell of the new organism, GE soybeans, corn, canola and cotton contain genes that protect the ( http://earthfirst.com/wpcontent/uploads/2008/12/frankenfood.jpg) crop from particular herbicides (weed killers), so that the herbicides can be applied to the crop without harming it (Palmer). Genetically engineered (G.E.) food has become very common in the United States, and there are not warning labels on this food. However, the public opinion is split between two sides of this issue. Some people are for genetically modified foods because they believe it is the best solution to solve world hunger and malnutrition. It is also thought to be

Elizabeth Ehle
ENC1101.603x10 beneficial, because crops are less likely to be destroyed by pests, bad weather, and herbicides. Genetically modified foods are not only harmful to one’s health, but to the environment and should be banned because there are unpredictable and irreversible risks which are caused when consuming these foods (Rosenthal).
With genetically engineered (G.E.) food there are many challenges ahead for the government, especially in the areas of safety testing, regulation, international policy and food labeling. Under current regulations, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not require labeling of G.E. food products. Only organic food that is certainly not genetically modified, because organic is the only federally regulated food label that prohibits the use of G.E. foods. It is not wise to purchase regular food in a grocery store because of the health risks it could cause. The research done on G.E. foods is incomplete. Studies show different affects that this food can cause, and it is unknown what long-term effects that this food will cause to the human body.
Although this could solve world hunger, that currently is not an issue in the
United States. Genetically modified organisms are harmful to humans and should be labeled properly. A number of genetically modified organisms (G.M.O) have been approved for human consumption, but concerns over safety persist in the public.
Allergens and toxicity, which are caused by proteins, are the major concerns. Why is
America keeping people from being informed of everything they are consuming in these products? “ American biotechnology companies were fierce

Elizabeth Ehle
ENC1101.603x10 opponents of labeling G.M. products, arguing that, since there are no proven health threats, the public has no need to know about the genetic modifications” (Callahan).
(http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://politicolnews.com/wpcontent/uploads/2009/08/genengcrops.gif&imgr efurl=http://www.politicolnews.com/)
Labels to differentiate Genetically Engineered foods from regular foods do not exist. G.E. foods are hazardous, because the genes that are modified can be inserted into a human’s genetic makeup during consumption (US
Gears).The information about these genes and how they work is too incomplete to make it possible to predict or understand all the dangers of genetic engineering (US
Gears). “ In one study rats fed gene-altered potatoes developed smaller brains, testicles, and livers, compared to rats fed the parent line of the very same potatoes. In another, when male rats were fed G.M.O soy, their testicles changed color from the normal pink to dark blue" (Miller). Genetically modified foods are harmful to health, because of the unpredictable and unalterable risks that can be caused when consuming these foods.
Although genetic engineered food could have a positive effect on world hunger, the side effects are too risky. Europe has already banned the use of genetic engineering on crops, because of the effects the studies have shown. Endangering future generations is not a good solution to solving world hunger. Over 75% of processed food contains genetically engineered substances. “Pest-resistant crops, pesticides that kill weeds, but not food crops, and foods with enhanced nutrients would be a blessing if safely and equitable achieved” (Callahan).
( http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cheeseslave.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/cs_gmofree.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.cheeseslave.com/2009/04/17/get-ready-for-the-no-gmo-challenge)

Elizabeth Ehle
ENC1101.603x10
These crops are adaptable to pests, weeds, and enhanced with nutrients which cause them to be easier to grow, yet these crops are not safe to consume.
Genetic Engineered food has been around for about 15 years and has already caused a big scare to the public. “Depending on whom you listen to, genetic engineering is either doomsday tech or biotechnology for the future” (Palmer). Some people believe G.E. food is perfectly safe and the solution to feed the growing populations. Others believe there are harmful effects that these crops have on people, animals, and the environment. This food is not labeled in the U.S. and the only way to reassure there is no consumption of G.E. products is by eating only organic food.
Genetically modified organisms have become a growing issue in the United States and the research is still in progress to ban these foods. For the public’s safety of the
American people these genetically engineered foods should be properly labeled throughout grocery stores.

Elizabeth Ehle
ENC1101.603x10
Works Cited
Callahan, Daniel. "FOOD FOR THOUGHT." Commonweal 127.7 (2000): 7. Academic
Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 21 July 2010.
Kariyawasam, Kanchana. "Legal liability, intellectual property and genetically modified crops: their impact on world agriculture." Pacific Rim Law & Policy Journal 19.3
(2010): 459+. General OneFile. Web. 29 July 2010.
Miller, Conrad. "Today's Synthetic Foods: Shrinking Our Brains, Testicles, and
Livers?" Tikkun 24.5 (2009): 27-83. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 29
July 2010.
Palmer, Sharon, and Chris McCullum-Gomez. "Genetically Engineered Foods Update.
(Cover story)." Environmental Nutrition33.7 (2010): 1-6. Academic Search
Premier. EBSCO. Web. 29 July 20
Rosenthal, E. (2007). Both sides cite science to address altered corn.(Business/Financial
desk)(european union and world trade organization)
Stave, J. W. (1999). Detection of new or modified proteins in novel foods derived from
GMO – future needs.
Food Control, 10(6), 367-374.
“US gears up for influx of undeclared GM food." New Scientist 201.2692 (2009):
6. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 21 July 2010.