By Holly La Luz
Proponents of genetically modified crops argue that the technology benefits society by providing higher yields of more nutritious foods while requiring less water and pesticides. Because evidence has not yet shown a definite link between genetically altered foods and harm to public health, they reason, we should consider these foods safe.
Corn, soy and canola are just some of the ingredients that are often genetically altered. Consumers in the U.S. have no way of knowing. On most grocery shelves in this country, conventional foods are indistinguishable from genetically engineered foods. The European Union, Japan, China, Australia and New Zealand have already adopted regulations requiring labeling of gm foods. OH Congressman Dennis Kucinich has advocated for Americans' right to know whether or not the foods they consume are gm. He has proposed legislation to address some of the uncertainties posed by these new biotechnologies. The Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act would require manufacturers and farms to label all food products made with or containing gm ingredients. Violators would be subject to civil monetary penalties. And consumers would be able to decide for themselves whether to put this type of technology into their bodies. Aside from the fears consumers express with the potential health risks of ingesting gm foods, scientists are also concerned that gm crops will lead to genetic contamination of the environment. Genetically modified crops are not grown only for food. Some crops are genetically manipulated to produce inside them certain chemical compounds of pharmaceutical or industrial interest. The Genetically Engineered Safety Act would prohibit the use of common human food or animal feed as the host plant for genetically engineered industrial or pharmecuetical compounds. It would also prohibit the open air cultivation of such industrial gm host plants. Supporters of this Act explain the need for such regulations: "Humans, animals, and the environment at large could be at risk from contamination, a major concern of which is that bioactive nonfood substances, which have not been tested, will contaminate or otherwise adversely affect the food supply.”
Information about the presence of gm ingredients not only provides consumers with a choice about what to put into their bodies, but it also empowers them to choose whether or not to support the gm industry. The Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act and the Genetically Engineered Safety Act have not yet been reintroduced into the current session of Congress. There is however a piece of legislation currently proposed that would require labeling of genetically engineered fish.
