Gmo Safety Regulations

More safety regulations for genetically modified foods.
“The survey, released by researchers at Rutgers University found that more than half (53 percent) say they know very little or nothing at all about genetically modified (GM) foods, and one in four (25 percent) say they have never heard of them” (“Most Americans Pay Little”). Genetically modified food or for short GM foods are foods or products that have their DNA changer or altered with an injection of a new gene or trait so that the product which has been genetically modified may have that gene. For example if an apple A is smaller than apple B they would insert that trait, how big the apple is, into smaller apples, or in other cases they would put bacteria and other chemicals into these
foods. “Since 1996, GM plants… have genes from bacteria and viruses forced into their DNA” (“Genetically Modified Foods Could”). As of current times these genetically engineered foods are currently in our foods, unlabeled, and are unknown to people, and low regulated. These genetically engineered foods need have more safety restrictions such as labeling and more testing for their side effects.
It is best for the people of America to know if the consumption of their foods is genetically modified.
The FDA (the Food and Drug Administration who is responsible for our safety over food supply cosmetics and other products) does not require any labeling of genetically modified foods. Because of this American consumers have no way of knowing if their foods are even genetically modified. “Religious leaders… insisted that the FDA’s failure to regulate and label gene-altered foods violates the free exercise of religion by Americans who wish to avoid such foods for religious or moral reasons”(“The FDA Should Require”). By not requiring these labels these families of religious backgrounds or people who don’t agree with these foods inevitably would feeding them to their families unknowingly. The people who are educated would also end up consuming the genetically modified foods against their choices and beliefs.A large portion of the the United states even agree with the labeling of these foods. “New York Times Poll found 93 percent of respondents were in favor of a mandatory label for genetically engineered food. A 2010 Consumers Union poll found that 95 percent of U.S. consumers favor mandatory labeling” (“Genetically Modified Foods”). This shows that the people agree that it is infact a violation of their rights, or at least would like to be educated, and deserve so rightly by enforcing labels on these genetically modified
foods.
Some people believe that the genetically modified foods are safe and that they should not be required heavy regulations.
But in fact the FDA have not done enough tests to know for sure if these foods are completely safe. “The FDA contends that there is not sufficient scientific evidence demonstrating that ingesting these foods lead to chronic harm… The potential cumulative, long-term risks have not been studied” (“Genetically Modified Foods Need”) The FDA themselves are unknowing to how harmful the genetically modified foods really are. Since these foods are also unregulated they are easy to get into our food supply with no one the wiser . “in 2000, StarLink traces were found in taco shells in U.S. supermarkets. The EPA [Environmental protection Agency, they protect human health by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by congress] granted… request to cancel StarLinks’s regulation, helping to remove the GE corn from the food supply” (“Genetically Modified Foods Need”). The EPA had granted this, then after they had found the StartLink in taco shells shows how low regulated these genetically modified foods
are.
These genetically modified foods are not regulated enough and tested to see if these foods are dangerous or harmful. The institution for Responsible Technology, an institution who aims to educate policy makers and public about genetically modified foods and crops say “If [genetically modified] foods on the market cause common diseases, mild symptoms, or have long-term impacts, we may never know. There’s no monitoring” (“Genetically Modified Foods Could”). This means that there is a possible danger in the public's food and they wouldn’t be aware. “the FDA has awarded GRAS [generally recognized as safe] status to almost all (95 percent) of foods and traits in food since 1998“ (“Genetically Modified Foods Need”). This means that the FDA does not do any independent safety tests of their own. The FDA’s job is to determining the safety of the product, and shows they they have not done exactly that.
These genetically engineered foods should be marked for people of the United States to be aware of and restricted and have a more thorough evaluation. People whose religions and rights are at risk as well as the possible harm of people's bodies. People may not know for sure if they are harmful, but we should not hide the facts of these foods being engineered and ignore the possible harm.