Genetically Modified Foods: Are They OK? People should not eat foods made from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). More than 60 countries around the world have banned foods made with GMOs. So, why are we still using them in the United States? Shouldn't we follow the example of other countries around the world in order to keep the population safe?
GMOs are organisms that have been artificially modified to produce new or altered characteristics. These organisms are modified by scientists in a laboratory. The method involves altering the genetic code of plants and animals to produce desired traits. Most of the crops in the United States, including wheat and corn, have been genetically modified.
Supporters of GMOs include large corporations and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a government agency responsible for monitoring food safety. Crops made from GMOs produce large quantities of food. Supporters of GMOs cite that there needs to be more food to keep up with the growing population. However, corporations also want to sell their products and increase profits. They support GMOs because there is a lot of money to be made from selling engineered food.
GMO supporters state that genetically modified foods are safe and do not pose health risks. However, there have not been enough studies to prove these claims. The fact is that most crops are sprayed with toxic chemicals to protect them from bugs and pests. Genetically modified organisms are designed to resist pesticides, so the chemicals do not affect the plants. However, the concern is that these chemicals are causing health problems in humans. For this reason, many countries have banned the use of GMOs.
Some believe that the chemicals used on crops are causing people to develop allergies. In the United States, allergies to common GMO crops, such as corn and wheat, have increased drastically over the past few decades. Many people associate the upswing in allergies to the genetic modification of crops. Moreover, wildlife such as birds and insects are affected by the use of GMOs. Bio-diversity has been reduced and our water is increasingly being polluted with toxic chemicals.
Do promoters of GMOs actually think that having more food is better than having food that can potentially make people sick and destroy our ecosystems? We should listen to countries that .
Select all the correct answers.
Based on details from the passage, what does the author want readers to understand about GMOs?
GMOs have a negative impact on the ecosystem.
Corporations should be stopped from selling GMO crops in the United States.
GMOs are worth developing in order to produce enough food for the growing population.
More research needs to be done to determine the health risks associated with consuming GMO foods.
GMO foods are likely safe since they are supported by the Food and Drug Administration.