Genetic Modified Organism (GMO) / by kevin murray

Science most definitely can get ahead of the curve and in the case of genetically modifying organisms, they have.  I don't believe that is proven beyond a reasonable doubt that GMOs in and of themselves are bad or necessarily dangerous but they are an artificial change to an organism and when it relates to humans and their consumption of food products, human beings have a right to know whether the food that they are consuming has been modified by a GMO, and further that the given GMO has been tested by an independent panel to determine its safety and appropriateness before being offered as a substitute or alternative for non-GMO products.

 

Quite frankly, there isn't any compelling reason why GMO foods need to be offered for human consumption as our current yield on crops is quite impressive without GMO products and creating GMOs merely for the convenience of large chemical conglomerates such as Monsanto and DuPont is arrogant and incorrect.  GMOs are a fascinating area of study, of interest, and of potential, but within this field, there is an absolute obligation to match man's brilliance and invention with concern and consideration for the safety to the public at large.

 

Another way of looking at GMOs is acknowledging that although man has developed the capability to genetically modify organisms, it therefore does not follow that all organisms should be modified.  It would be far better, to be far more selective in the modification of organisms, and to recognize the purpose of said modification.  Modifying crops so that they are more resistant to certain insecticides sounds like a great idea, but a better idea is to modify the insecticide so that it is less toxic to crops, the environment, and humans.

 

The food that we consume is the fuel that powers our bodies.  It is quite possible within the consumption of GMOs that the danger becomes not from the occasional digestion from GMO foods from time-to-time but from the accumulation over a lifetime of such consumption.  Why should humans be subjected to such a potential risk if there isn't any valid or real compelling reason to do so?  Additionally, it seems quite fair and reasonable that consumers be allowed the choice of whether to ingest GMO products by proper labeling being provided to them because without such labeling and transparency, humans may unintentionally be consuming products that they would not willingly and voluntarily be signing up for.

 

The creation and release of pharmaceutical medicine goes through an extensive vetting process within the FDA, but prescribed medicines are something that you take ultimately at your discretion and with a doctor's supervision.  When it comes to food, however, we have to eat in order to live, those decisions are made by individuals, and it is important that we are knowledgeable about the food products that we consume.  It therefore seems reasonable that GMO products must be labeled and also tested in such a way that they are known as being truly safe for human consumption.