Genetically Modified Foods in the United States - Essay Example

Other advantages of genetically engineered foods include environmental preservation by using fewer herbicides and fertilizers that contaminate the U.S. bodies of water. (Carpenter et al., 2007; Thurman et al., 1992); enables farmers to produce insect-resistant (Bt), herbicide-tolerant, and virus-resistant crops. (Rao, 2008; Harlander, 2002); and increase Vitamin A, C, D, and E, folate, lycopene, sulfur face, lutein, omega-3 fatty acids, starch, iron, and/or the natural antioxidants in fruits, vegetables, and grains. (World Health Organization, 2005; Christou & Twyman, 2004; Harlander, 2002)

Despite the advantages of genetically modified foods, the use of this type of technology is subject to a lot of controversial issues when it comes to access to intellectual property rights, ethics, health safety, and proper food labeling among others. (Human Genome Project Information, 2007; World Health Organization, 2005; Myhr &
Traavik, 2003)

For this study, the researcher will first discuss some basic information with regards to genetic engineering in order to enable the readers to understand the subject better. Eventually, the researcher will clearly describe the problem associated with the use of genetically modified foods followed by providing some recommended solutions on how we could minimize the adverse effects of using genetically modified foods. Prior to the conclusion, the researcher will make a justification in relation to the effectiveness of the recommended solution to the problem.

Basic Information on Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering – also known as gene technology, genetic modification, biotechnology, or transgenic – is a special technology that allows scientists to alter the genetic makeup of plants, animals, and/or bacteria. (Human Genome Project Information, 2007) As identified by the World Health Organization (2005), the technology used in food modification includes cloning, tissue culture, and market-assisted breading.

Description of the Problem
Even though there were a lot of past and current studies that consider the advantages of using the technology behind genetic engineering, there are also several studies that question the food safety concerns associated with the consumption of genetically engineered food products (Catchpole et al., 2005; Goodyear-Smith, 2001).

According to Goodyear-Smith (2001), inserting some genes from other food
products or organisms into the cells of a particular food product may increase the risk for genetically engineered foods to contain some unidentified toxins, allergens, or even the development of antibiotic- or herbicide-resistant weeds.

Despite the fact that there is no scientific-based study that could really prove the adverse effects of genetically engineered foods, the leniency of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with regards to special food labeling on genetically engineered foods throughout the United States deprives the American consumers of their rights to know the origin of foods they consume each day (Harlander, 2002) and/or avoid purchasing genetically modified food products. In case a specific genetically engineered food leads to health detrimental effects in the future, it will be very difficult on the part of the FDA to warn the people about the news because of the lack of special food labeling.

Recommended Solutions and Its Justification
Considering the number of individuals who have doubts about the health safety issues related to genetically modified goods, the study of Buchanan (2001) suggests that the best way to track down any possible food allergens is to develop safe, reliable, and effective food allergens testing policy. By detecting and identifying possible food allergens, scientists could avoid transferring the main sources of harmful allergens into genetically modified food products in the future.

To be able to minimize and prevent the high level of public distrust of genetically engineered food products, the U. S. Department of Agriculture should also develop and implement generally accepted criteria related to the proper food labeling of genetically modified foods. Basically, the failure U.S. Department of Agriculture to regulate the proper labeling of genetically modified good products could increase people’s risk of having food allergies caused by a specific food allergen. (Thompson et al., 2007; Gaivoronskaia & Hvinden, 2006)

Regardless of whether food allergens can be effectively treated with the use of antihistamines or epinephrines (Gaivoronskaia & Hvinden, 2006), the use of proper food labeling on genetically modified food products serves as an early warning device for people who have food allergies. (Qin & Brown, 2006; Gaivoronskaia & Hvinden, 2006) Through proper food labeling, people with food allergies could easily avoid consuming the food product in order to prevent the risk of going through the process of a life-threatening anaphylactic shock.

Conclusion
The technology behind genetically modified foods has a lot of benefits to human beings in terms of being able to increase the amount of food supply within the shortest possible time. Despite all the advantages of genetically modified food production, some studies claim that consumption of genetically modified food could increase the possibility of long-term adverse health effects to the consumers.

Developing a safe, reliable, and effective food allergens testing policy combined with the implementation of proper food labeling on genetically modified foods will enable Americans to enhance the quality and health benefits of future production of genetically modified foods. In case a health problem arises in the future, the use of proper food labeling will enable FDA to easily keep track of food supply within the U.S. Read More