Genetically Modified Foods: Abandon Their Development

Genetically Modified Foods: Abandon Their Development

Tracy Hall

DeVry University

Genetically Modified Foods: Abandon Their Development

Dr. Martha R. Herbert, a pediatric neurologist states “Today the vast majority of foods in supermarkets contain genetically modified substances whose effects on our health are unknown. As a medical doctor, I can assure you that no one in the medical profession would attempt to perform experiments on human subjects without their consent. Such conduct is illegal and unethical. Yet manufacturers of genetically altered foods are exposing us to one of the largest uncontrolled experiments in modern history” (Herbert, 2000). Therefore, the development of genetically modified foods should be abandoned because the environment is negatively affected: there are no solid guidelines in place for the labeling of ingredients containing these foods. Instead, humanity would be better served by the use of more traditional agricultural methods and consumers would have more informed choices if guidelines were in place regarding the designation of genetically modified foods.

Problems

While many supporters of genetically modified foods state our environment is being positively affected by genetically modified foods, the truth is our environment is actually being affected negatively. For thirty years now, researchers have promised to “make life easier and nature’s bounty even more desirable” (Meador, 2013). This has proven to be more complicated than first anticipated. While the use of pesticides on the genetically modified crops has been reduced in the short term, it has been discovered there are more varieties of pesticide resistant weeds emerging each year. An article in Nature in 1999, described the devastating effects on monarch butterflies. Researchers found only 56 percent of the larvae lived when fed milkweed covered in GM corn pollen. GM supporters stated these tests were inconclusive since they were held in a laboratory and not during...