Vu 1 Chau Vu Mrs.

Ogo APES, Period 1 4 April 2014 The use of labeling for GM products Nowadays, along with the development of biotechnology, there are many inventions to improve to quality of our food including Genetically Modified Food (GMs food). According to a study, 60 to 70 percent of processed foods on U.S. grocery store shelves have genetically modified ingredients. However, a question is given whether all consumers know that their foods are GMs food or not. Therefore, there is a debate currently happening about labeling GMs food. I go pro with the use of GMs food labels because consumers have a right to know what product they purchase. The problems caused by lack of labeling of genetic engineering foods fall into three categories: health hazards, religious concerns, and ethical concerns. A genetically engineered food is a plant or meat product that has had its DNA artificially altered in a laboratory by genes from other plants, animals, viruses, or bacteria, in order to produce foreign compounds in that food. This type of genetic alteration is not found in nature, and is experimental. The correct scientific term is "transgenic," and is also often referred to as (GE) genetically engineered. When released into the environment, genetically engineered organisms can become pests, displacing existing plants and animals. They can disrupt the functioning of ecosystems, reduce biological diversity, alter the composition of species, and even threaten the extinction of various species and change climactic patterns. In addition genetic

Vu 2 engineering can aid in the creation of new pathogens against which the biosphere cannot develop natural defense systems. One of several ways that this can occur is by the creation of new viruses that incorporate genetic engineering material from genetically engineered plants or animals. Most people like to know what they are eating. However, labeling for genetically modified organisms is not required in any state. This is largely because of the money expended by GM seed producers toward blocking food-labeling laws. The labeling for GM products can give consumers has a right to know whats in their food, especially concerning products for which health and environmental concerns. The mandatory labeling will allow consumers to identify and steer clear of food products that cause them problems. For religious or ethical reasons, many Americans want to avoid eating animal products, including animal DNA. There is a wide range of religious problems with genetically engineered foods. Religious vegetarians, such as Seventh Day Adventists and Buddhists, want to be able to identify and avoid fruits and vegetables with insect, animal or humans genes in them. Jews who keep kosher food laws want to be able to make sure that genetically engineered foods do not violate their restrictions. A broad spectrum of religious leaders in this country and throughout the world have serious doctrinal objections to the kind of tampering with the basic patterns of life that occur in most genetic engineering research. Without labeling these people have no way of avoiding the genetically engineered foods in question. Many people who are not formally religious also have serious ethical objections to much of the genetic engineering research and development that is currently going on and wish to avoid genetically engineered foods for that reason. Without labeling they have no way of avoiding them.

Vu 3 In conclusion, lack of labeling of genetically engineered foods shows a blatant disregard for the rights of citizens in a free society. The overwhelming number of people naturally wants to know what is in the food they are buying. Labeling for all kinds of ingredients is already required. In many cases the need for labeling of certain kinds of ingredients is not as urgent as for labeling of genetically engineered foods. Free choice in the food we buy is dependent on information on the content of the food. You cannot identify genetically engineered food just by looking at it. Without labeling citizens are denied what should be their fundamental right. Labeling genetically engineered foods in no way restricts the rights of those people who do decide to purchase and consume them.

Vu 4 Works Cited http://online.sfsu.edu/rone/GEessays/GEF%20labelling.htm http://www.labelgmos.org/the_science_genetically_modified_foods_gmo http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/03/opinion/schubert-gmo-labeling/