Genetically Modified Foods Should Be Labeled

Abstract

The paper discusses about the government policy related to the genetically modified food. It also identifies the issue with the environmental concerns and risks related to it. In the past years, the UK Food and Drug Administration were also unaware of the drawbacks and were of the opinion that genetically modified food was equivalent to non-genetically modified food. Today there are hundreds of genetically modified foods. For several years, modified food consumed millions of people in most countries. Perhaps you, dear reader, not knowing about it, do not eat a kilogram of genetically modified foods.

Genetically Modified Foods Should Be Labeled

Introduction

There are several environmental, health and ethical considerations that associates with genetically modified food. Labeling of genetically modified food makes the customer more cautious and informed before actually buying the product. Therefore, the campaigns that are running for labeling the genetically modified food will eventually help the consumer to know whether they are eating genetically modified food or not. The fact is that, most of the scientist, doctors, nutritionist, and even the general public are hardly aware of the long term; impact of the genetically modified food (Casten, 2010, pp 45-90).

In the past years, the UK Food and Drug Administration were also unaware of the drawbacks and were of the opinion that genetically modified food was equivalent to non-genetically modified food. Similarly, they were also of the opinion that since these two categories were equivalent, therefore, genetically modified food does not need any proper labeling or additional safety testing. Related to this issue, there was a survey in the United States of America and the majority of the Europeans made a poll for labeled genetically modified food.

Following are some of the advantages of labeling genetically modified food:

The consumers have the right to know what the ingredients are, that the food contains. It is essential to know this because health's, as well as environmental concerns, are an issue

Obligatory labeling on the genetically engineered food will enable consumers to guide them on food that causes health concerns. It will eventually foster the consumer awareness. Many of the Americans avoid food containing animal products, including animal DNA due to religious or ethical issues.

Discussion

Since 1995, the United States has sold the crops genetically modified to resist pests and tolerate certain herbicides through the use of recombinant DNA technology. The aim is that these crops produce higher yields and reduce environmental exposure to pesticides and herbicides commonly known. In particular, many products derived from corn and soybeans have been featured on the shelves of grocery stores in the United States during this period of time without any apparent effect or adverse unintended. Earlier this decade, GM tomatoes were introduced with altered properties of maturation.

However, characterized by concerns about the overall safety of the food to be consumed in the UK, due to mismanagement of the BSE crisis and the intense negative pressure of GM foods, genetically engineered crops have faced great opposition in Europe. The animal feed contaminated with dioxin in ...