Genetically Modified Foods and the Labeling Debate Essay

There has been an current debate surrounded by consumers and the government regarding the utilise of genetically Modified aliments in the grocery today. Since the introduction of the Flavr Savr tomato, biotechnology companies continue to act on genetically engineered rustic products to consumers (Whittaker). The Flavr Savor tomato was the first intellectual nourishment available to consumers that was produced utilize technology involving the recombinant DNA techniques in 1993. This was the cut through of a new generation in intellectual nourishment production, and thus a firm new world of genetically engineered nutritions.At the drive home time the government, more than specifically, the get together States pabulum and drug validation (FDA) has non regulated labeling products that contain genetically engineered victualss. soon the constitution for labeling all consumer products must(prenominal)(prenominal) disturb the standards of the resort and nutritio nal assessment. The evaluations of genetically engineered foods by ratified authority require that bioengineered foods must meet the aforesaid(prenominal) standards set forwards for all imported and exported foods marked for gentleman and animal consumption and according to the US FDA genetically modify (GM) foods meet these guidelines.Since the wee 1990s scientists has been researching new and improved techniques to bring plumper, juicer and insecticide resistant agricultural products to all consumers. But research much(prenominal) as this is nothing new to the scientific community and for over 50 age techniques demand been used to create strains of wheat, rice, pears and m any a(prenominal) more crop species to create advanced yielding products that be capable of increase anywhere and anytime of the year. Currently, only one ordinal of the world actually uses GM plants with the countries of Canada, US, brazil and Argentina growing 90 percent of the GM crops (Freedm an).With the majority of these crops being produced in North America, the US is seeing GM foods everywhere and this is drawing attention to divers(prenominal) agencies and groups pushing to educate the populace by labeling any products that contain genetically engineered foods. The US Food and dose Administration has been traffic with the battle against labeling products with genetically modified organisms (GMO) for years, however regardless of the consistent scrutiny the FDA sticks firm to the current regulations that govern the labeling of all foods for benignant and animal consumption.Under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic (FD&C) exemplify, which drives the FDAs precaution regulations for food and food ingredients, unless a significant safety risk exists or there is a sincere need for consumers to distinguish between food products before purchase, the FDA hesitates to mandate labeling of food products (Leggio). Joseph A. Levitt, Director of the Center for Food arctic and utilise Nutrition with the US Food and Drug Administration states in his Should the FDA stick with a Stricter Policy on genetically Engineered Foods? testimony that bioengineered foods and food ingredients must bring together to the same standards of safety under(a) the FD&C act that apply to their conventionally bred counterparts (Levitt, 81). With the uncompromising polices set forth, the FDA remains consistent with its finish to control their current labeling program as it adheres to all safety standards of any food for consumption. The US FDA in any case assures the public that they stand done significant research for decades on biotechnology foods to ensure it is safe for consumers, and excess testing is conducted years prior to the sour of a GM product to the shelves.Scientists look at all of the dominance concerns to overwhelm the capableness to adding new allergy causing proteins, removing springy nutrients and the possibility of introducing toxins, in these studies to ensure that unexpected results do not occur, this testing provides a way to detect such changes at the development stage (Levitt, 79) and it will also delay any release of products until they be able to find a beginning. The FDA takes such precautions and studying all aspects of this technology to be confident that the risks are non-existent.Although the government has provided the public with research, publications, testimonies and scientific proof that the current truth governing the labeling of food and animal products is assign and doesnt require change, there is console much concern of the risks that the technology poses to valet de chambres. Barbara Boxer, a US Senator from California, introduced the Genetically Engineered Food decline-To-Know Act in 2001 in her testimony in Should the FDA Adopt a Stricter Policy on Genetically Engineered Foods? which states all foods containing or produced with genetically engineered material bear a electroneutral la bel (Boxer, 76). This act was created based on the lack of data and concerns that GM products are introducing risks of exposure to many wellness issues to include food allergens, lack of nutrition and cyanogenetic ailments. These claims are legitimate, however, the US FDA does take precautions as stated by Joseph A.Levitt, specifically with these risks maculation conducting trials during the developing stages of the product. In 2011 there was a quest filed against the FDA which warranted the need for labeling of GM products. fit to this petition consumers are misled when food labels do not differentiate foods with known health properties from novel foods with unknown health consequences (Burgaard). An instance of such health concerns come from a study performed in Scotland at the Rowett bring in in 1998.A plant biochemist named Arpad Pusztai conducted an sample on rats who consumed a genetically engineered white potato and his experiment concluded that the rats that were f ed the modified potato suffered growth and immune system-related changes (Freedman). Ironically, the genetically modified potato used in this study was not intended for human consumption it was, in fact, designed to be toxic for research purposes, (Freedman) discrediting the research altogether.Additionally, American Medical Association, the National Academy of Sciences, the land Health Organization, and more than twenty-five Nobel Prize-winning scientists have concluded that there is no scientific evidence that GM food carries any risk to human health and that genetically engineered crops are safe, (Burgaard) which ties into the overall nutrition and safety assessment that genetically engineered foods meet the same standards that imported and exported foods at held too.In the end, the US Food and Drug Administration stands by the current law governing the policy on labeling genetically modified foods. They maintain their standing on mandated labeling even under the microscope of doubters, but most importantly the FDAs work for evaluating bioengineered foods is one in which the public can have confidence that food biotechnology products must meet the laws safety standards (Maryanski).The FDA cares deeply of the health and wellbeing of the consumers in America and tense to meet the needs of the public in both food and nutrition education. Until the studies point significant risks or changes in the GM products warranting the need to readdress the process, the government and the US Food and Drug Administration believe their set about is relevant and remain firm to the present policies. Annotated Bibliography Whittaker, Michael A. Reevaluating The Food And Drug Administrations Stand On Labeling Genetically Engineered Foods. San Diego righteousness Review 35.4 (1998) 1215. donnish assay Premier. Web. 2 Jan. 2014. This journal recap argues that the join States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must reconsider its position on the labeling of genetically engineered food as well as consumer perceptions of the threat posed by genetically engineered foods. Freedman, David H. Are Engineered Foods Evil?. Scientific American 309. 3 (2013) 80-85. Environment Complete. Web. 2 Jan. 2014. This name discusses the debate over the safety of genetically modified (GM) crops.It covers comments from agricultural and environmental economic expert at the University of California, Berkeley, David Zilberman, on the benefits of GM foods compared to their health risks, a ban on GM crops by the European Union (EU), and the variety between selective plant preparation and mutagenic techniques. Leggio, Kelly A. Limitations On The Consumers Right To Know Settling The Debate all over Labeling Of Genetically Modified Foods In The join States. San Diego Law Review 38. 3 (2001) 893. faculty member Search Premier. Web. 3 Jan. 2014.This journal review supports the decision of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reject needed labeling of genetically modified foods as a solution to accommodate consumer fears. There is a definition of an approach designed to evaluate whether mandatory initiatives are appropriate to protect consumers right to know and the importance for states to exist guidelines established by the FDA. Should The FDA Adopt A Stricter Policy On Genetically Engineered Foods? master/CON. Congressional Digest 80. 3 (2001) Pages 76-95. Academic Search Premier. Web. 2 Jan. 2014.This is a twain part article that discusses genetically engineered foods and the potential need to adopt a more strict policy. The articles provided information from the perspective of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Joseph A. Levitt, the coach of the Center of Food sanctuary and Applied Nutrition and US Senator, Barbara Boxer who speaks on behalf of the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act and supererogatory interviews that were conducted to give the sense of hearing an overall mind of both sides of the debate. Burgaard, Sudhir. The Labeling Of Genetically Modified Foods Debate. inherent Resources & Environment 28. 1 (2013) 55-57. Environment Complete. Web. 2 Jan. 2014. This article focuses on the debate on labeling of genetically modified (GM) food which reflects food safety concerns in the U. S. It highlights various legal issues related to use of GM foods which includes increase risk of antibiotic resistant bacteria, change magnitude use of pesticides, and environmental effects. It briefs the audience about the Center for Food Safety filing a legal petition with the U. S. Food and Drug Administration regarding labeling of genetically engineered food.Maryanski, . James H. , Ph D. News & Events. Genetically Engineered Foods. US Food and Drug Administration, 19 Oct. 1999. Web. 2 Jan. 2014.This testimony is from the perspective of the biotechnology Coordinator with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that discusses the current regulations governing genetically engineered f oods and the process that dictates what and how determines what a DNA derived food is labeled. It includes a variety of examples that justifies the current labeling regulations and why GM Foods may not require spare information for the consumers.