The Trouble with Genetically Modified Foods

 

-Saskia A.

Hey Guys! Thanks for staying tuned for the next post! My co-blogger Arielle brought up a good question that I felt the need to touch on… Should GMOs be taken lightly??

What's really the big deal about them anyway?

Wide consensus in the scientific community is that GMOs do not have measurable impacts on human health. This stance was taken by the National Academy of Sciences, World Health Organization, the American Association for the Advancement of Science…well, you get the point! There was however, one study which showed the development of tumors in rats fed with GM maize but- that study was discredited (Casassus, 2013).

So if you’re wondering why there is still so much public skepticism about GMOs, you’ve stumbled upon the question of the moment. The public opinion on GMO foods is based on ethical, rational and even religious views.  Misconceptions about science would also affect people’s view on the subject. There are however, many unanswered questions pertaining to genetic modification. For instance, its effect on the environment. Or even more importantly, the long term effects on humans. Not having answers to either of those questions would leave anyone concerned for the very least.

So should we let a little ignorance or misunderstanding on what may be a controversial subject get in the way of what appears to be a promising future?

 Let’s first delve a little deeper and examine both sides of the spectrum and let you decide!

                                                                                  

References

Casassus, Barbara. "Study linking GM maize to rat tumours is retracted." Nature, 2013. doi:10.1038/nature.2013.14268.

Hirsch, Jesse. "Okay, Um, So, Uh, What Exactly Is All This Fuss Over GMOs?" Bon Appetit. August 04, 2015. Accessed October 02, 2017. https://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining-style/trends-news/article/gmo.

Image:

http://naturalsociety.com/3-gmo-foods, downloaded 2 October, 2017