Argumentative Essay: The Value Of Genetically Modified Organisms

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are a highly debated topic all around the world. Someone from each side of the debate has an argument as to why GMOs should or should not be produced. Unfortunately, many others who are consuming these genetically modified products do not know that they are eating them and they do not know what they are. According to The American Heritage Dictionary online edition, a GMO is “an organism whose genetic characteristics have been altered by the insertion of a modified gene or a gene from another organism using the techniques of genetic engineering.” For example, corn had been modified to withstand herbicides giving farmers the ability to spray their crops with much more pesticides. In return, these pesticides

end up on a person’s dinner table for consumption. Educating the buying public on GMO foods is necessary because of the dangers of genetically modified organisms, chemicals, and the unknown long-term effects.
Education is crucial to understanding the dangers of the genetically modified (GM) food that is sold in grocery stores for the everyday consumer. Scientist introduced GMOs, which are also known as biotechnology in the early 1990’s. They made the products available to the public with the claim that they can provide food that is disease resistant. Another reason for the introduction of these products is to stop world hunger. Presently, American grocery stores have GMOs in approximately eighty percent of processed foods. According to William Engdahl author of “GMO Food Genetic Chains” states, “Environment officials praise GMO crops as ‘safer than conventional’ ones…” (1). In an argument similar to Engdahl’s, Jan Lucht mentions,
About a decade after the first transgenic plants were created in a laboratory, GM food plants were introduced into the market. In 1994, the FLAVR SAVR tomato, modified to delay premature fruit softening, hit the shelves of U.S. grocery stores. From 1996 on, insect-resistant Bt maize and Bt cotton, as well as transgenetic herbicide tolerant soybeans and oilseed rape were planted…. In 2014, GM crops were grown by 18 million farmers in 28 countries…. (4254,4255)
To point out, these GM crops are being spread all around the world at an extremely rapid pace without considering the possible dangers this is causing to the environment and human health. Additionally, the United States has approved the use of genetically modified crops without the need to label them grounded on scientific studies claiming that they are safe. Although these studies were performed by companies like Monsanto, they are the ones that create GMOs and sell them for a profit. On the other hand, other independent studies have results that are conflicting with the GMO companies; for example, one independent study shows massive tumor growth on rats along with other health issues over time from consuming GMO feed. Engdahl is correct when he says, “It indicates how thoroughly Monsanto and the GMO agribusiness grain lobby have been able to control government oversight” (12). It is worrisome to think that the American government is more concerned with money than the health of its citizens. Conversely, over sixty other nations including the countries in the European Union and China do not believe the GMOs are harmless. Moreover, these countries have heavy restrictions on these crops and some even have complete bans on GMOs because they do not find GMOs safe; although, almost every nation consents to feed GMOs to animals. Furthermore, we are consuming these animals that have major health issues from feeding on GMO diets. In conclusion, Americans are consuming GMOs from much of the meat, more than half of the processed foods, and some of the fresh produce sold in stores and if the public is not aware of this then nothing can be done to stop people from consuming them.
GMOs are loaded with hazardous chemicals that the everyday consumer must be conscious not to ingest. An online source called The NON-GMO Project gave a nice explanation of why the chemicals in GMOs are dangerous saying:
Over 80% of all GMOs grown worldwide are engineered for herbicide tolerance. As a result, use of toxic herbicides like Roundup has increased 15 times since GMOs were introduced. GMO crops are also responsible for the emergence of “super weeds” and “super bugs:’ which can only be killed with ever more toxic poisons like 2, 4-D (a major ingredient in Agent Orange). GMOs are a direct extension of chemical agriculture and are developed and sold by the world’s biggest chemical companies. The long-term impacts of GMOs are unknown, and once released into the environment these novel organisms cannot be recalled.
According to The American Heritage Dictionary, online edition an herbicide is “a substance used to destroy or inhibit the growth of plants, especially weeds.” Furthermore, the Oxford English Dictionary online edition defines a “super weed” as “a weed that is extremely robust or resistant to herbicides or natural checks on growth; (in later use) esp. one resulting from genetic modification.” In other words, these GMO crops that were engineered for herbicide tolerance have unintentionally but directly impacted other things in nature such as, weed and bugs. If these are the accidental and obvious effects of what is happening in nature, then more testing must be required to see what it is doing when humans ingest these chemicals. Robyn O’Brien who is a journalist from an online source called Just Label It states, “Genetically engineered foods have typically been hardwired to withstand increasing doses of crop chemicals.” Unfortunately, in many cases, these foods like sweet peppers are consumed raw by people young and old.
Currently, consuming GMOs is much like running an experiment on the American citizens because the people in American society are unaware of any unknown long-term effects. It was written in “GM Crops – Just the Science” that, “Contrary to industry claims, GM Foods are not properly tested for human safety before they are released for sale. In fact, the only published study directly testing the safety of a GM food on humans found potential problems. To date, this study has not been followed up” (1). This is a perfect illustration that examines the possibility of health effects on humans. Other short-term testings have been completed on animals showing health side effects as well. Doctors in the field are now telling the everyday patient to shop the outside of the grocery store, eat natural foods like fruits and vegetables, and avoid processed foods in order to obtain better health. Dr. George Amofah who is the General Secretary of Ghana Public Health Association published an article asserting that:
Increasing trends in organ disease and GMOs use have been observed. There is some correlation between organ disease, increasing GMO in the food supply, and glyphosate herbal application with the possibility of endocrine disruption. Organ disease mentioned include: Thyroid cancer; Liver and Intrahepatic bile duct cancer; Hypertension; Acute kidney disease; Diabetes mellitus; Autism; Alzheimer’s disease; Parkinson’s disease; Senile dementia; Inflammatory bowel disease – Crohn’s and Ulcerative colitis; Rheumatoid arthritis. Though these have not been proven yet there is a need to keep an eye on the correlation through further observational and epidemiological studies.
While anti-GMO campaigners fight for the freedom to know what is in their food, pro-GMO lobbyist argues that the food is safe for consumption. Although, there has not been enough testing or studies to verify. Furthermore, people should not be used as lab rats for testing but, as long as the government permits these foods to be distributed to consumers without informing them, that’s exactly what they are doing.
Some would argue for the distribution of genetically modified foods with the claim that they are safe and that is why labeling is not necessary.

According to Galyna Sidyelyeva, “research has provided insight into the issue of the nutritional value of GM crops. For example, the Venneria group tested genetically modified wheat, corn, and tomatoes. They found wheat and corn are similar to their non-GM counterparts and tomatoes differ only in their antioxidant content, having a lower amount than their unmodified relatives” (50). With this in mind there are many people in the world today that may find value from GM crops; for example, in countries where people are starving. While the crops may not be identical to its non-GM counterparts, these countries will still profit from them. In “A dubious success: The NGO campaign against GMOs,” Robert Paarlberg asserts, “Unfortunately, in the case of NGO [non-GMO] campaigns against GMO crops, they typically emerge from rich countries while imposing consequences on poor countries” (228). As one can see, these rich countries may have succeeded in not allowing some GMOs in but to date in America they still are not labeled; so, they are only hurting the poor countries by trying to make a controversy over labeling that is

unnecessary.
Searching for food that is labeled NON-GMO is a way to safeguard one’s health not only in America but in poor countries that cannot afford to defend themselves as well. While the majority of people who are aware of GMOs would like to know if the food they are eating has GMOs in them, the United States Government does not require the labeling of them. The United States is one of the only developed countries that does not require the labeling of GMOs. The reason for this is because the United Stated government believes that the labeling of genetically modified organisms is absolutely unnecessary. Although, enough testing hasn’t been completed to truly verify that GMOs are nontoxic. While some claim that non-GMO campaigner is hurting these poor countries, they are actually helping them. Studies suggest that GM crops do not have much more success than non-GM crops in harsh conditions. Furthermore, the distribution of non-GM seeds would become more beneficial to people in poor countries if after further testing it is discovered that GM foods are causing health issues because then one would have to take into account health care services for those poor people.
Nevertheless, this battle has Americans in a different situation than many other countries around the world. While other countries offer labels for GMOs; Americans have to learn how to read labels to verify the food they are eating is safe. Below is a chart that examines where the United States stands next to other countries, in reference to GMO labeling. Needless to say, if a person would like to avoid eating food that is contaminated with the poisonous genetically modified organisms they must learn how to search labels to ensure they do not contain the organisms. Typically finding food that does not contain GMOs can be accomplished in a couple of different ways; for example, by searching for products that are organic or labeled NON-GMO. Because the government refuses to label food that contains GMOs, people campaigning for NON-GMOs have created their own label that says just that – NON-GMO. By purchasing products that have this seal you are safeguarding your health from the potential bad health side effects of consuming GMOs. As mentioned previously, also look for food that is marked as organic. Although, one must keep in mind that buying products labeled USDA organic only guarantee’s that the product is 95% organic. To summarize, one may argue for or against GMOs but frankly more long-term studies need to be accomplished to assert anything one way or another. On the other hand, one must be cautious to protect their health against the overwhelming evidence that suggests that GMOs may be the cause of many health issues. Education is key to safeguarding each person’s health against the possible dangers of GMOs.