Genetically Modified Foods should be labeled

Without the awareness of many people around the globe, humanity is predisposed to undesirable health problems, as the wholesale supply of agricultural goods manufactured with the assistance of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) has become widely widespread. GMO is a biological technique in which genetic material from one type of organism is collected and incorporated into the deoxyribonucleic acid production of another organism in order to produce those desirable traits (Bailey 3). Relevant terms that apply to the same goods include bio-engineered, transgenic plants, genetically engineered, and biotech crops. Other than the increased productivity and alleged nutritional value in the GMO products, it has been evidenced that the resistance to pesticides and the tolerance to herbicides is typical for the GMO crops.

Discovered and incepted into the mainstream as early as the mid-1990s, genetic engineering has become one of the most disturbing discoveries of humanity in the twenty-first century, considering the many controversial health challenges that linked to GMO plant and animal products that people consume. The technology has taken center stage of the kitchen pantries, groceries, and farmlands, extensively replacing the otherwise natural and stable diets once accustomed to (Dona and Arvanitoyannis 164). Because of the challenges associated with GMO products, controversy and heated debates have since become a common experience, detailing as to whether it is essential to label genetically engineered products or not. Labeling is advantageous because it gives consumers information they need to know, gives people the peace of mind to coexist with the new technology and leave them better informed about their health. However, the disadvantage is that many individuals are compelled to think that GMO products are unhealthy, but this anxiety and awareness is only essential to create a platform for scientific research to unveil more about GMOs.

Background

On a critical analysis, genetically modified food products have been around for a while since 1996. However, the anxiety in the society peaked in only recently following the speculations that GMOs had serious health challenges that consumers are left predisposed to. Therefore, the advocacies, policies, and campaigns to raise attention about the need for the consumers to know and understand the constituents, as well as their respective effects on health in the GMOs, has come in the global arena more seriously just recently (Dona and Arvanitoyannis 168). Consequently, the responsible stakeholders and the scrutinizing bodies for quality of food products from across the world have been pushing the manufacturing and processing companies to label and make known exactly the ingredients of the genetically modified food products, whether of crop or animal based, so as to create awareness in the consumer market., which remains to be a core entity subject to health vulnerabilities. Such a step is as imperative as it is indispensable as it allows the consumers to know what is safe for them, and what should be consumed in their diet with already evaluated health outcomes (Bailey 9). Nevertheless, even though the labeling campaign has been successful in most of the Europeans countries, thus remains to be a very controversial and intriguing issues in the US, which is ironically the large producer of GMO products on average globally. Therefore, by keenly analyzing the discussions put forth by researchers as is founded on evidence-based scholarly research about the pros and cons, the stakeholders have a legitimate platform for making informed decisions on whether labeling should be initiated and enforced or otherwise.

Pros

Firstly, labeling genetically engineered products is important because it allows the consumers the right to know what is needed and categorized as essential. Awareness is vital when it comes to dieting. If people are informed, they are capable of making informed and substantial decisions in whatever they buy, how they prepare it for consumption and the frequency of consumption (Bawa and Anilakumar 1363). Furthermore, if an estimated degree of risk is sacrificially proven, then the precautionary measures can be taken in time to counter the adverse effects that could be out of control once a certain irreversible stage is reached. Moreover, creating awareness is essential in eliminating rumors which could be irrationally founded, so that humanity can benefit from what is safe and valid, rather than avoid everything that has a GMO decent when it could be nutritious and healthy, with many more benefits (Teisl et al. 49). Therefore, when people are given the right to know what the ingredients of the GMOs food products by labeling, awareness is created, problematic outcomes are avoided, as well as alleviating environmental and health challenges.

Secondly, labeling is advantageous because it gives those who consume the GMO products peace of mind. One of the fundamental concerns of humanity is the need to recognizing and appreciating diversity. The differences in culture and religion, for instance, has been a core principle especially among the orthodox religions whereby certain foods are prohibited and not worth to be consumed by those who embrace such faith (Teisl et al. 51). Therefore, labeling allows them the freedom to know and be at peace with what they should and should not consume. On the contrary, other people are allergic to certain GMO food products. Therefore, labeling these commodities allows the consumers an opportunity to know what their allergens are and what is safe for their consumption. Finally, people will be at peace with related technological inventions that make human livelihood better as opposed to uncertainties of adverse outcomes (Hladky 13).

Thirdly and finally, labeling the GMO products is imperative because it informs the consumers and keeps them updated about their health as is influenced by what makes up a major percentage of their dieting. Therefore, is beneficial for the people to realize the ingredients of the food types they consume, and perhaps learn better on how to balance their diets (Castle 346). By so doing, the incidence and prevalence of common diet-related maladies in the community the world over are contained to a credible degree.

Con

Labeling GMO products is disadvantageous because it makes consumers built a belief and hence form a culture that recognizes the genetically engineered products as harmful to their health. The notion would be founded on a fallacy of generalization, which is wrong because science based evidence has shown some of the products that are GMO linked yet very nutritious and healthy (Teisl et al. 44). Whenever a label is sported on the food products in stores and retail shops, the consumers could expressly identify such labels as warning alerts. Therefore, labeling could make people not to purchase food products they regularly eat without attracting any health challenges, hence compromising their health by missing out on these essential nutrients, which negates the essence of labeling after all.

Rebuttal

Labeling is not disadvantageous as aforementioned herein, after considering that rather than impair and discourage the research-based exploration of GMOs and their risk factors to both the environment and human health, labeling creates a platform for scholarly evidence-based discoveries to create awareness among the consumers. A good example is that if the adverse effects of GMO products are to be traced on the health of the people, then labeling is essential to eliminate the confounding effects while carrying out experiments to demystify the outcomes. Thus labeling remains to be a primary option (Bawa and Anilakumar 1356).

Conclusion

Genetically modified organisms entail both the animal and plant products that have been influenced in one way or another by the insertion of deletion of genetic material to achieve specific traits or characteristics as an outcome. Labeling is essential for ease identification of GMOs. The pros of this process entail an argument that awareness is created among the consumers, peace of mind is achieved, and informed decision making in dieting is encouraged. However, the disadvantage of labeling is that most consumers would perceive the marks as warning against consumption. However, labeling remains to be an indispensable step toward scientific research and hence the unfolding of the specifically related factors to particular GMO food products.

Works Cited

Bailey, Pamela. “Should Genetically Modified Foods Be Labeled?” U.S. News Digital Weekly 5.44 (2013): 14. Print.

Bawa, a S, and K R Anilakumar. “Genetically Modified Foods: Safety, Risks and Public Concerns-a Review.” Journal of food science and technology 50.6 (2013): 1035–46. Web.

Castle, D. “Labelling of Genetically Modified Foods.” Encyclopedia of Environmental Health. N.p., 2011. 345–352. Web.

Dona, Artemis, and Ioannis S. Arvanitoyannis. “Health Risks of Genetically Modified Foods.” Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 49.2 (2009): 164–175. Web.

Hladky, Gregory B. “The Surprisingly Complex Debate over Whether Genetically Modified Foods Should Be Labeled.” CheckBiotech March 30, (2011): n. pag. Print.

Teisl, Mario F. et al. “Labeling Genetically Modified Foods: How Do US Consumers Want to See It Done?” AgBioForum 2003: 48–54. Print.