Disc 1
Timothy
I think it is important that we label GMOs. Consumers should have the right to know what is in the products they purchase. Having GMOs labeled is a step in that direction. In late 2018, “USDA published final regulations that put in place for the first time a National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard” (“GMO Labeling”). This established a standard for foods to be labeled, also allowing for “non-GMO” and “not genetically engineered” to be used on certified organic products.
After looking at the pros and cons for genetically engineered plants, I think they should be allowed. Some of the major benefits of genetically engineered crops are increased crop yields and the ability to grow plants in areas where not possible. Those areas include drought regions and depleted soil (ProCon.org, 2022). While these are great benefits, we should be aware of the negatives. GMOs haven’t been tested long enough to know if there are any long term effects. Health issues could arise 10, 20, or more years down the line that could be catastrophic. The effect of toxic pesticides and herbicides also pose a threat to our environment. Weeds are becoming more resilient to our herbicides and the solution has been to battle the weeds with even more pesticides. The excessive use of herbicides have hurt pollenating insects: “Scientists blame Roundup (the active ingredient of which is glyphosate) for a 90% decrease in the US monarch butterfly population” (ProCon.org, 2022).
References:
GMO labeling. Organic Trade Association. (n.d.). https://ota.com/advocacy/gmos/gmo-labeling#:~:text=All%20food%20that%20is%20genetically,best%20practice%20in%20GMO%20labeling.
ProCon.org. (2022, February 11). GMO pros and cons – should genetically modified organisms be grown? ProCon.org. https://www.procon.org/headlines/gmos-top-3-pros-and-cons/
Response …
Disc 2 Britt
- GMO labels should be used because people have a right to know whether their food has been genetically modified, even though there is no difference between GMO and non-GMO foods in terms of safety or health. People have a right to know how their food was produced, and in the end, it is up to them whether or not to eat it.
- Since genetically modified plants and animals have demonstrated both positive environmental and economic effects, they should not be banned. Farmers, for instance, can use fewer pesticides since their crops are less resistant to them. It also results in insect pest resistance. Nowadays, a sizable portion of crops grown are GMOs. Statistics, according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration, show that in 2020, GMO soybeans made up 94% of all soybeans planted, GMO cotton made up 96% of all cotton planted and GMO corn made up 92% of all corn planted. So, in my opinion, GMO crops has given the community more assets than liabilities.
References:
“GMO Crops, Animal Food, and Beyond.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 3 Aug. 2022, https://www.fda.gov/food/agricultural-biotechnology/gmo-crops-animal-food-and-beyond
“Why Do Farmers in the U.S. Grow GMO Crops?” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 17 Feb. 2022, https://www.fda.gov/food/agricultural-biotechnology/why-do-farmers-us-grow-gmo-crops#:~:text=Most%20of%20the%20GMO%20crops,herbicides%20used%20to%20control%20weeds
Response 2 …
