Genetically Modified Foods And The United States - 1087 Words

More than sixty countries have a ban, labeling, or restrictions of some sort on genetically modified foods (). The United States is not amongst them. Originally GMOs were introduced to create better yields, tolerate droughts and increase nutrition (). Today GMOs have excided beyond the standards of the past. 80% of the foods sold in the U.S. today are genetically modified. This group of foods include alfalfa, corn, canola, cotton, sugar beets, soybeans, tomatoes, squash, potatoes, oil, golden rice, salmon and many more(). While the production of GMO foods have increased the FDA refuse to regulate it because in 1993 the FDA declared GMOs as â€Å"not inherently dangerous† so they therefore do not need special regulations (). Unlike the United†¦show more content†¦Once the USDA is done with this process it is then shipped to the FDA who do not require companies for consultations, including the effects of the products on people (). Companies who create GMOs feel no pressure to consult the FDA because they are not required to do so. GMO regulation should be taking away from the FDA because the FDA do not address the health concerns of GMO’s, they have done no labeling whatsoever on GMO foods, and GMOs are doing the opposite of what was originally claimed. Instead of decreasing the use of herbicides it has Many health concerns accompany the production of GM foods. Genetic engineering can transfer allergens from foods people are allergic to, to foods they believe to be safe (). A case study by the New England Journal of Medicine demonstrates that when a Brazilian nut was engineered into soybeans people who were allergic to nuts had severe allergy reactions to the product (). If GMO labeling and regulations are not taken seriously people with food allergies have no way of eluding possibly harmful health consequences caused by consumption of GM foods containing concealed allergenic material (). GMOs could also be creating thousands of different