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Genetically Modified Organisms

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) are products of a laboratory process in which
the desired characteristics in a species are obtained through inserting into it genes from another
species (Stone, 2018). GMO technology is mainly applied in agriculture where it is used to,
among other things, increase productivity, resistance to drought, and increase nutritional value of
the products (Stone, 2018). Supporters of this process argue that it is not only safe but is also key
to feeding the world’s ever increasing population. Its opponents, however, disagree.
While many in the scientific community believe that GMO products are safe, I believe
that this assertion is not entirely true. Since GMOs involve creation of new life forms through
combination of genes from different species, no one can be certain about the behavior of such
life forms in future. The risk assessments that have so far been conducted on the safety of GMOs
are, therefore, quite limited because they cannot predict the safety of GMOs in the long term
(Karami & Mahasti, 2018). Thus, while I have not come across evidence that provides proof of
GMOs health risks, there is also no evidence strongly backing GMOs safety over the long term.
In such an environment of uncertainty, I believe that there is need for very rigorous safety tests
before GMO products become mainstreamed.
Given the uncertainty about the long-term effects of consuming GMO food products, I
believe that all GMO foods should be labeled. Labeling will allow consumers to fully exercise
their right of choice (Karami & Mahasti, 2018). While it is true that there are many consumers
who have no problem with consuming GMO foods there are many others who may not be
comfortable consuming such foods. Unfortunately, many of these consumers in the latter
category buy and consume GMO products without knowing because there is no way of

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differentiating between GMO foods and non-GMO foods. Lack of labels on GMO products,
therefore, denies such consumers the right to choose on the foods that they should and should not
eat. Putting labels on GMO foods will allow consumers to fully exercise their right of choice.
While controversy on the suitability of GMO foods rages on, GMO foods are already
having a major effect in the world. Since they allow companies to produce foods in a relatively
cheap manner, many of the foods that are currently in supermarket shelves have ingredients that
have been genetically modified (Stone, 2018). For instance, in the US over 75% of processed
foods have ingredients that have been genetically engineered (Stone, 2018). 90% of corn, cotton,
sugar beets, and soy is also genetically modified (Stone, 2018). Most of the foods that children
love such as cookies and snacks also have many ingredients that have been genetically
engineered. Large parts of the world are, therefore, currently consuming foods that have
ingredients that are genetically modified. As noted earlier, GMO technology is also used to
improve productivity and make some crops to be drought resistant. Thanks to these two factors,
many developing countries currently grow genetically modified crops (Karami & Mahasti,
2018). Thus, in the near future we are likely to see GMO playing a central role in the world’s
food and agriculture industries.
In conclusion, I believe that it is still too early to conclude whether GMOs are completely
safe for human consumption. Evidence in this regard is not conclusive. Consumers should,
therefore, have full rights to choose whether to consume GMO foods or not by having all GMO
products labeled.

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References

Karami, F., & Mahasti, P. (2018). Genetically modified foods: Pros and cons for human
health. Food and Health, 1(2), 18-23.
Stone, G. D. (2018). Genetically Modified Organisms. The International Encyclopedia of
Anthropology, 1-4.