Will Ezell

Chemistry
13
Period 3
January 12, 2014

Write a persuasive paper about food

additives.

Ezell
Page

Who Changed the Cheerios?

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter once said, "Responsible biotechnology is
not the enemy, starvation is" (Carter). President Carter was explaining that
agricultural biotechnology can play an important role in improving health and
nutrition. Food and color additives help prevent spoilage and contamination,
increase the nutritional value in foods, and make foods more texturally and
colorfully appealing. Some people argue that genetically modified organisms, also
called GMOs, are a safer alternative to the conventional and chemical methods of
producing food additives and other valuable substances. However, while genetically
modified organisms may offer benefits of larger food yields, longer food shelf lives,
increased food resistance to insects and pesticides, and economic advantages, the
long-term hidden dangers of genetically modified organisms on the health and
safety of the human race and the environment far outweigh any perceived benefits.
Genetically modified foods appeal to consumers for the same reasons
conventional and synthetic food and color additives do. Consumers today want
flavorful yet nutritional foods at good prices. GMOs can improve the taste, texture
and appearance of foods (GM Microorganisms). For example, a Canadian company
recently promoted a non-browning apple (Artic Apples). These genetically modified
apples were marketed as an alternative to sliced apples treated with antioxidant
chemicals to keep the apples looking fresh (Artic Apples). Another example of
genetic modification is the insertion of genes into crops such as rice. The rice is
genetically altered to produce B-carotene to help fight vitamin A deficiency around
the world (Golden Rice). Recently, after customer complaints, General Mills decided
to stop using genetically modified sugar to make its Cheerios product (Horovitz).
Genetic engineering of bacteria and fungi to produce substances is catching the eye
of many consumers.
Supporters contend that genetically modified organisms increase food
production, reduce greenhouse effects on the environment, and ultimately increase
economic benefits to the consumer (GM Microorganisms). Genetically modified
crops are arguably more resistant to pests and diseases and as a result, help with
the loss of produce and cut down on the use of pesticides (GM Microorganisms).
Additionally, genetically modified crops are more capable of surviving
environmental challenges of drought, disease and insect infestations (GM
Microorganisms). Moreover, by creating special traits in plants, food can be grown in
more places and with fewer natural resources (GM Microorganisms). Consequently,
farmers and poorer countries can economically benefit from larger crop production
(Microorganisms). Finally, since these modified foods can stay ripe longer and grow
less expensively, many people believe genetically modified organisms are the
answer to ending world hunger (Genetically Modified Foods).
While the benefits seem clear on the surface, hidden dangers exist. Not much
is known about the long-tern effects of GMOs on humans or the environment

(Genetically Modified Foods). The FDA does impose legal safety and purity
requirements regardless of whether the additives are produced chemically,
synthetically or with GMOs (GM Microorganisms). Additionally, the FDA requires food
manufacturers to list all ingredients on the labels (Overview of Food). However,
some ingredients may be listed collectively, including ingredients that are known to
cause allergies (Overview of Food). The FDA, however, does not require genetically
modified companies to label their products as being GM foods (GM Microorganisms).
Accordingly, consumers do not know what they are consuming. Some research has
shown that consuming genetically modified foods may lead to increased chances of
developing cancer and allergies (4 Potential Health). Moreover, studies have linked
these foods to the development of diseases which are immune to antibiotics (4
Potential Health). These resistant crops create a safety concern because they create
weeds and pests that require harsh chemicals to destroy them (4 Potential Health).
The result can detrimentally impact the environment since these chemicals could
wash away with the rain and pollute ponds, rivers and other water sources
(Genetically Modified Foods). These chemicals can interfere with the ecosystems
and poison fish and wildlife, plants, and water (Genetically Modified Foods). The
unknown risks and potential long term effects of using and consuming GMOs are
uncertain and may pose more harm than good.
Genetically modified foods are in our grocery stores, school cafeterias, and
restaurants. Food companies are inventing new ways to manufacture foods to
appeal to consumers. Because the United States government does not require food
companies to label foods as genetically modified, most consumers are unaware they
are eating potentially dangerous substances. The lack of government regulation
calls into question the safety of the genetically modified foods. While some contend
that genetically modified organisms are a healthier alternative to chemical
additives, the real issue is the consumers right to know whether or not the food
they are consuming is genetically modified. A mandatory FDA labeling law would
address this concern. The unknown effects on human health and the environment
warrant a cautionary labeling approach and further research on the future impact of
genetically modified organisms.

Work Cited
Artic Apples Truly a Non-browning Apple. Artic Apples. 25 Jan. 2014.
http://www.arcticapples.com/.
Carter, Jimmy. Forestalling Famine with Biotechnology.
11 July, 1997. The
Washington
Times.
14
Jan.
2013.
http://www.cartercenter.org/news/documents/doc32.html.
Food
ColoursOrigins
and
History.
http://www.understandingfoodadditives.org/pages/ch2p1-2.htm.
Genetically Modified Foods. Harvard School of Public Health.
http://chge.med.harvard.edu/topic/genetically-modified-foods.
GM Microorganisms Taking the Place of Chemical Factories. 26 Jan. 2006. GMO
Compass.
15
Jan.
2014.http://www.gmocompass.org/eng/grocery_shopping/ingredients_additive
s/36.gm_microorganisms_ taking_place_chemical_factories.html.
Golden Rice Project. http://www.goldenrice.org/
Horovitz, Bruce. Cheerios Drops Genetically Modified Ingredients. 2 Jan. 2014. USA
Today. 23 Jan. 2014.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/01/02/cheerios-gmoscereals/4295739/.
Overview of Food Ingredients, Additives & Colors. Nov. 2004, revised April 2010.
International Food Information Council (IFIC) and U.S. Food and Drug
Administration. 23 Jan. 2014.
http://www.fda.gov/food/ingredientspackaginglabeling/foodadditivesingredien
ts/ucm094211.htm.
4 Potential Health Risks of Eating GMOs. 3 July 2013. CNN-I Report. 23 Jan. 2014.
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-998680.