Background: Genetically Modified Organisms should be labeled. GMOs are a controversial topic due the lack of research behind their possible side effects. However, it is not their potential dangers that are up for debate.It is the simple fact that we have a right to make an informed choice about the items that enter our diet. GMO labeling isn't a Pro-GMO vs. Anti-GMO issue it is about having a choice at all.
1.)Who even knows what GMOs are?
The movement against genetically modified organisms has become the newest crusade amongst hipster health nuts. These arrogant activists are always willing to alert outsiders about the dangers of GMOs. They puff up with pride when given the chance to inform the ignorant commoners about their wayward ways. These instructional information sessions can be overheard at nearly every health food store, farmers market, or run of the mill grocery store.
*These bandwagon folks give GMOs a bad reputation for being just another fad. While the growing trend on anti-GMO consumers raises awareness for "the cause", their ignorance about GMOs hurts the overall image.
2.)All GMOs are dangerous!
These GMOs will kill us. Everyone knows that the genetically superior organisms will one day develop into free thinking organisms that will rise up against us and be our demise. Why else would they call them "franken tomatoes?"
Courtesy of aintnogod.com Courtesy of blog.foodfacts.com
* "The verdict is still out on whether GMOs are harmful for consumption: Those against legislation say there is no scientific evidence showing GMOs are bad, while supporters say there isn’t adequate research or independent scientific verification of industry assessments"(Broder Van Dyke). GMOs are often romanticized into horrific crimes against nature but in most cases that is not true.
Big businesses always have our best interests at heart. So obviously if big businesses are anti-labeling, we should be too! Big tobacco companies went through the same kind of brainless bureaucracy that forced them to disclose the possible consequences of consuming cancer sticks. These good-natured businesses lost so many valuable customers once people were informed and given a choice about the types of products that they came into contact with.
Courtesy of blog.tpronline.org
*"PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and Nestlé are among food companies spending heavily in Washington state to block new requirements for labeling foods made with genetically modified organisms"(Sanders). Big businesses are currently on the offensive against labeling.
4.) Who cares that other countries have put labeling laws into place?
"Unlike more than 40 other countries — including all of Europe, Japan and China — the United States has no laws requiring labeling of genetically engineered (GE) foods. Yet most polls show that the vast majority (90 percent) of Americans believe GE foods should be labeled. For 20 years, however, we've been denied that right"(McLure).
Courtesy of i.imgur.com
Just like metric system we refuse to conform to the comfort of common sense. We are AMERICANS and we are special. We are always the exception to the rule.
5.)Genetic modification has been around for centuries.
Courtesy of evolution.berkeley.edu
Selective breeding has been going on for ages to produce more admirable qualities. Is DNA splicing and breeding tall plants with other tall plants really that different? As humans we are always attempting to play God so this breakthrough in science is just a means to an end.*If you have read this article and want to be able to have an informed choice about the items in your shopping carts, then click here!
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Works Cited
McLure, Jason. "Genetically Modified Food." CQ Researcher 31 Aug. 2012: 717-40. Web. 25 Nov. 2014.
"GMO Facts." The NonGMO Project RSS. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. <http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/>.
What's a GMO? Perf. Jimmy Kimmel. YouTube. YouTube, 9 Oct. 2014. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzEr23XJwFY>.
"Right to Know." Justlabelit.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. <http://justlabelit.org/right-to-know/>.
Broder Van Dyke, Michelle. "Why You Should Care About GMO Legislation." Buzzfeed. N.p., 22 Nov. 2013. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. <http://www.buzzfeed.com/mbvd/why-you-should-care-about-gmo-legislation>.
Sanders, Rachel, and Sapna Maheshwari. "Big Food Is QuietlySpending Millions To Prevent GMO Labeling In The U.S." Buzzfeed. N.p., 29 Oct. 2013. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. <http://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelysanders/big-food-spending-millions-to-prevent-gmo-labeling>.
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