Llesica Solis

Nutrition 011
Summer Term
Prof. Krysti Rosario
The Truths of Genetically Modified Foods
In America, genetically modified foods have become the norm when it comes to our culinary
culture. Genetic modification acquires the use of bacteria or a virus to help organisms grow into artificial
amounts of food. A gene from the bacteria and virus is inserted into the organism where it would
normally not be found causing the genetic code to be altered in plants and animals. This technique has
caused America to have a massive livestock of foods that are delivered to stores to be sold for people to
buy. Many times, the foods that are shipped aren't even fully developed. For instance, tomatoes would be
artificially dyed red to appear luscious and ripped when in reality they're not. Typically, genetically
modified foods are unnatural, unregulated by the government, and aren't labeled which prohibits people to
know whether or not they are consuming genetically modified foods.

Genetically modified foods contain numerous amounts of unnatural grown ingredients that are
prompted by using unnatural remedies. Common uses of genetic modified foods include the following:
soybeans, maize, cotton, and rapeseed oil. Many foods in America contain field corn or an unhealthy high
level of high-fructose corn syrup. These ingredients are found in many consumers favorite cereals,
snacks, and junk food. Even babies consume unnatural ingredients because many of their foods contain
soybean. Farmers would inject their chickens, cows, pigs, etc with steroids to make them bigger in order
to produce the desired product. This method will usually make the animals deform because only sections
of their body will be injected. For example, a chicken wouldn't be able to walk because its legs are huge;
therefore, making it hard to walk due to the heaviness of their drumsticks. Thus, the animals will suffer
enormously and in many cases they die because of the pain.

Collectively, consumers are unaware that theyre consuming unregulated genetically modified
food because food packaging contains no label indicating that it has been genetically modified. The food
sold in America does not contain a warning label that indicates whether the product has been genetically
modified. Therefore, many consumers are ignorant to the fact that their food has even been genetically
modified. Counties such as China, Russia, Japan, and Brazil passed legislation Regulations on
Administration of Agricultural of genetically modified organisms safety- where it is proposed that food
packaging must contain a sticker indicating whether or not the product has been modified. In fact, the
FDA, EPA, and USDA all regulate different aspects of the genetic modified food; thus, they arent aware
of the final food products condition. The FDA regulates the plant and tests to see if the plant is eatable.
In fact, Dan Quayles 1992 policy regarding genetically engineered crops was rapidly refuted by the
FDAs scientists, stating that genetically engineered crops are substantially equivalent to regular crops;
hence, they dont have to be labeled or safety tested. Meanwhile, the EPA regulates the genetic modified
plants and tests to see if its environmentally safe. Lastly, the USDA regulates the plant and its
healthiness to see if its safe to grow.

Therefore if genetically engineered foods arent fully regulated by the agencies, shouldnt they at
least be labeled to let consumers know that the food contains genetically modified organism? In
California alone, Proposition 37, which was about food labeling, was proposed in 2012 but it didnt pass.
The final tally of votes as certified by Californias Secretary of State was 6, 088,714 in favor of
Proposition 37 and 6,442,371 against. I couldnt vote then but if I could, I would have voted although my
vote wouldnt change the outcome.

Thus, I was seemingly exposed to the truth when learning about genetically modified foods. I
have never been a person who thought about the foods ingredients. I simply ate what was available and
around me. My diet has changed-albeit, not dramatically. Growing up, I wasnt aware of organic foods vs.
non-organic foods and I didnt know the difference; for, I didnt know why some foods were labeled
organic and others werent. My father grew up on a Kentucky farm so he was exposed to organic fruits
and vegetables since his family grew them. Thus, every time I went to a market with him, he would
exclaim, fruits and vegetables dont taste like those of home. I never understood him until now.

After reading about the potential dangers about genetically modified foods, I have looked into
shopping at my local farmers market for fresh products. Its somewhat icky to think about how cows,
chickens, and other animals are injected with hormones; hence, Im consuming an unhealthy hormonal
animal. However, my diet still consists of eating from foods that have modified but Im slowly
transitioning to eating more organic foods. The taste of organic foods are actually more tasteful than non-
organic foods after all.

Moreover, I learned about genetically modified foods by researching Pasadena City College own
library databases. Upon there, I came across the Union of Concerned Scientists website. This website is
deemed reliable because it utilizes respected known researchers from all around the world; thus,
UCSUSA collaborates with them to inform citizens. UCSUSAs mission is to engage policymakers,
media, and other organizations in favor of reaching their full potential in the work they publish. Thus,
Union of Concerned Scientists analyses on topics are relevant to todays occurrences in society,
technology, and medicine. The concerned scientists consist of experts whom are respected by
Washington, DC and state capitals. These scientists are frequently called to testify before government
committees. Lastly, I found this website to be immensely reliable because it is a nonprofit organization
that deals with independent scientific analysis by incorporating reliable sources.

Bibliography
Alternatives to Genetic Engineering. (n.d.). UCSUSA. Retrieved June 25, 2014, from
http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/our-failing-food-system/genetic-
engineering/alternatives-to-genetic.html
Genetically Modified Foods. (n.d.). The Center for Health and the Global Environment.
Retrieved October 30, 2013, from http://chge.med.harvard.edu/topic/genetically-
modified-foods