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Individual Paper

Dr. East
Jordan Voorhees
February 24, 2014

GMOsUnited States vs. Europe

Many are probably unfamiliar with what a GMO (genetically modified organism), GMO
is and how it affects the food supply. The first United States patent related to GMOs was issued
in 1980, and the FDA approved of the first GMOs in 1982 (Karimi, 2013). GMOs are used in
most of the seeds and crops on farmland across the United States; however, many people are
unaware that what they are eating is not really natural but modified. The purpose of this
essay is to provide some general information about GMOs, discuss consumer acceptances of
GMOs as part of the food supply, and discuss the distribution of GMO foods to European
countries. This paper will provide a general overview of what GMOs are, the benefits of GMOs,
the publics opinion about GMOs, and trade issues related to them.
GMOs have been a part of American food for some time, but many consumers have
never heard of them. GMOs are organisms that are altered genetically. The benefits of doing
this are to increase nutrition, taste, or provide protection against pests, as well as to be better
suited to the environment where they are grown. This genetic alteration enables far greater
control over the genetic structure and allows the plant to outlive a non-altered crop. An
example of this is when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Flavr Savr tomato
for sale on grocery store shelves in 1994 (Karimi, 2013). The genetic makeup makes it different
from other conventional tomatoes and enables this tomato to have a longer shelf-life because
the DNA has been altered to slow down the ripening process. (Karimi, 2013). GMOs were
initially created to develop plants that would improve crop protection but now most food
contains some type of genetically modified organism (World Health Organization). GMOs are
developed and marketed because there is some perceived advantage either to the producer or
consumer of these foods but most GMO seed developers, so far, have focused on benefiting
the producer more than the consumer (World Health Organization). Many people were
unaware of what GMOs were until the last couple of years when it has become a huge debate
here in the United States and in Europe.
Some consumers are completely against the idea of genetically modified food products
in their diet but some consumers are willing to give it a try if it provides some sort of benefit. As
consumers learn more about GMOS, some have growing concerns. Consumers biggest concerns
with genetically modified foods are (a) direct health effects (toxicity), (b) tendencies to
provoke allergic reaction (allergencity); (c) specific components thought to have nutritional or
toxic properties; (d) the stability of the inserted gene; (e) nutritional effects associated with
genetic modification; and (f) any unintended effects which could result from the gene
insertion (World Health Organization). These are all investigated to reduce the chance that
none of the above occur when consumed. The introduction of GMOs into food products have
sparked a passionate debate among many especially European consumers (Noussair et al.
2003). A study shows that, 35% of participants are unwilling to purchase products made with
GMOs, 23% are indifferent or value the presence of GMOs, and 42% are willing to purchase
them if they are sufficiently inexpensive. The results contrast with surveys that indicate
overwhelming opposition to GM foods (Noussair et al. 2003). In 2005, another study was done
to find out consumers willingness to pay for non-biotech breakfast cereals. The results show
that US consumers were willing to pay a 10%-12% premium to avoid biotech breakfast cereals,
whereas UK consumers were willing to pay a 19%-35% premium (Moon & Balasubramanian, 2005,
p. 317-339). Based on this study, it appears that the US is more accustomed to GMOs, perhaps
because they have been around longer in the US, and that Europeans are more hesitant. The
increased debate over this issue should be a comfort to consumers because the debates are
generating more understanding of the pros and cons of GMOs. This ongoing debate enables
consumers to rely more on facts than rumors.
In recent years, there have been disagreements between the United States and
European countries over whether to allow or ban GMO products. The US and EU have
reportedly been negotiating a new free-trade agreement that will help boost both economies
and will be one of the biggest in the world. Within the United States GMO and non-GMO
products are treated similar. The primary controversial issue in the US is whether or not GMO
products should be labeled as such. In Europe, they are very strict about which GMO seeds are
allowed and which are to be banned. Within the EUs own borders, only about 1 percent of
farmland has genetically modified crops under cultivation. The EU is willing to make a trade
agreement as long as the US doesnt come at the agreement with a too-aggressive approach
(Barber 2013). Its obvious common ground is still yet to be found on this issue between the
United States and Europe.
The pros and cons of GMOs in the food supply will likely continue to be debated for
some time. As consumers gain more knowledge of GMOs, the acceptance of GMOs in the food
supply will likely be affected. Increased knowledge and any long term effects of GMOs will also
undoubtedly affect the distribution of GMOs around the world.


Writing Grading Rubric
Use of context HighX..Low
Awareness of audience HighX..Low
Use of purpose throughout HighX..Low
Context of and Purpose for Writing HighX..Low
Relevant compelling content HighX..Low
Use of illustrations HighX..Low
Use of credible Sources and Evidence HighX..Low
Cannot determine without reference list.
Use of Language & Control of Syntax and
Mechanics
HighX..Low
Total HighX..Low
17/20
Process High..Low
9/10

Memo
High..Low
9/10

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