Controversy Over GMOs

The controversy over GMOs is as old as GMOs themselves, stemming mainly from people who are uncomfortable with the idea of their foods and medicines being altered genetically. Controversies are oftentimes renewed when GMOs are featured in the news.

GMOs stir up controversy among organic advocates.

GMOs are genetically modified organisms. This means that at some point in the creation or production of the organism, there is a modification to the genetic makeup. For example, modifying food at the genetic level in order to make it a more vibrant color or more resilient to harsh weather while growing are both common reasoning for utilizing GMO technology.

Genetically modifying organisms does not refer to simply adding artificial food coloring in the final stages of production or adding a preservative to a final product. GMOs utilize scientific technology to fundamentally change the genetic structure of the organism.

There is more than one controversy over GMOs, but some of them are more prevalent than others:

While the companies that create and distribute products resulting from GMO technology assure consumers that these products are completely safe, not all consumers are so sure. Since there is a definite lack of clear and longstanding research related to the health benefits or detriments of GMOs, it is difficult to decide whether this technology is actually safe.

There are some consumers who do not trust any published research regarding GMOs regardless of the source, and instead they use their own experiences with GMOs as a guide. Some consumers make the claim that eating food produced with GMOs has made them sick in the past, and therefore they avoid GMOs whenever possible.

Genetically altering crops may have an environmental impact. When crops are genetically modified, they may appear to grow just like any other crop but the fact is that they are fundamentally not the same.

Issues have been raised regarding versions of GMO technology that damages the potential for future crops. Companies manufacture seeds that create crops that will not produce fertile seeds for future replanting. This is considered not only an agricultural concern, but a concern regarding human rights as well since these seeds are commonly sold in regions where the farmers may not have the money to choose different seeds.

The idea of genetically modifying organisms is viewed by some as "playing God" in the sense that scientists take an already perfect organism, such as an apple, and then alter it to make it what they want to make it. This idea is very disturbing to many people who feel as though there will be eventual repercussions for trying to change something that nature has already perfected.

While some advocates would like to see GMOs banished altogether, there are some people who do not necessarily mind the existence of GMOs as long as they don't personally have to consume them. The problem with this is the fact that in the some areas of the world, particularly within the United States, food companies are not required to divulge if food contains GMO ingredients. This means that many people consume GMOs on a regular basis, but have no idea that they are doing so.

When it comes to controversy over GMOs, the requirement of labeling GMO food items is on the top of the list of things that organic advocates would like to see changed. Although these groups can take solace in the fact that items containing GMOs cannot qualify for a 100% Organic label, the goal is to someday require every food product containing GMOs to clearly state this on the packaging. This will allow consumers to decide whether or not they want to be exposed to GMOs in the foods they eat and the medicines they ingest.

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