Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food; Our Right to Know

by Neil Scheibelhut

It is no secret that genetically engineered food is being produced in the United States,

and, for that matter, has been for some time. Any man or woman who was sent off as a teenager

by their parents for a summer to detassle corn can tell you that. However, there is a debate

raging over whether genetically engineered food should be labeled to tell the consumer of that

fact. Although there are many pros and cons to such labeling, the fact remains that consumers

have the right to know what they are consuming.

To completely understand the need for labeling on genetically engineered food, we must

first understand what the term “genetically engineered” actually means. The fact is, the term

“genetically engineered” isn’t used very often. The more common nomenclature is to refer to

these foods as genetically modified foods, or GM foods, or as GMOs, which stands for

genetically modified organisms. GM foods refer to foods made for human or animal

consumption that have been genetically altered to enhance desired traits. These traits can be

anything from the color of the food, to its chemical resistance to pesticides. Scientists used to

enhance desired traits by breeding plants that displayed desired traits together so they will be

more prevalent in future generations. This takes many years, of course, so to expedite the

process, scientists started altering the plants on a molecular level. For instance, a gene that

controls the color of the food could be isolated in a plant with the desired color, and subsequently

transferred to other plants to ensure the color of the new plant will be the desired one.

Most people would agree that GM foods have revolutionized the agriculture industry and

they are the future of agriculture. Producing crops that are more resistant to pests and chemicals,
less dependent on water and fertilizer, and that grow bigger than their un-modified counterparts

are great for farmers’ bottom lines. Furthermore, who wouldn’t want to bite into a bigger, juicier

form of their favorite food? But, at what cost? What are the disadvantages to genetically

modifying foods? The number one problem facing GM foods is that there is little to no

knowledge on the effects of these foods on human health. Evidence exists that GM foods could

be harmful. In 2000, there was an article in Nature magazine that indicated that genetically

modified corn pollen could kill the larvae of monarch butterflies. Monarch butterflies are

famous for their bright colors and extreme migration patterns, travelling about 3000 miles. Their

migration takes them through the heart of the Midwest, America’s “corn belt.” It was speculated

that if the pollen from GM corn was in fact harmful to monarch larvae, approximately 50% of

the monarch population could be in danger. After a USDA workshop in which multiple

scientists did multiple studies, it was found that only one variety of the corn was harmful to the

monarch: Event 176. Fortunately, Event 176 was not a good seller and was not widely planted.

It was a lucky break for the monarch butterfly. If Event 176 was a hot seller, the results may

have been different. This example may not prove risk to humans, but it does prove that the

government agencies tasked with protecting the environment did not do their job, and cannot be

counted on to protect the safety of a butterfly, let alone a human.

In another study, Hungarian born researcher Dr. Arpad Pusztai, a world authority on

lectins, a plant protein, called into question the safety of genetically modified potatoes. In his

research, Dr. Pusztai fed a constant diet of GM potatoes to laboratory rats. He was particularly

interested in a lectin called GNA, which acts as a natural pesticide. The rats were fed raw,

baked, or boiled potatoes over a ten day period, then over a 100 day period. To supplement the

poor nutrition an exclusively potato diet provides, Dr. Pusztai occasionally provided the rats with
a protein supplement. What he found in a particular 10 day test was rats fed with GM potatoes

had a significantly lower body weight than those rats who were given un-altered potatoes. This

suggests that the nutritional absorption rate of the GM potatoes was retarded in comparison with

their pure counterparts. The study also showed the immune systems of the rats being fed GM

potatoes were suppressed. If GM potatoes altered nutritional absorption and immune systems in

rats, could it be possible in humans as well?

Scientists can argue the pros and cons of GM foods all they want. The evidence remains,

however, that these foods can possibly do harm. If the possibility is there, shouldn’t people be

aware that their food is genetically altered. Surveys show the majority of Americans want to

have mandatory labeling for genetically modified food. Furthermore, consumers have a right to

know what’s in their food, especially if health and environmental concerns have been raised.

Mandatory labeling will allow consumers to recognize and stay away from foods they think

could be potentially harmful, or just plain don’t want; possibly for religious or ethical reasons.

The bottom line is, we simply have a right to know.

 Sources Sited

Byrne, P. 2010. Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods. Colorado State University

Extention, fact sheet no. 9.371, www.ext.colostate.edu/.

Carter, C.A., and G.P. Gruere. 2003. Mandatory labeling of genetically modified foods: Does it
really provide consumer choice? AgBio Forum, vol. 6, no. 18, www.agbioforum.org/.

Whitman, D. 2000. Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful? CSA Discovery Guides,
www.csa.com/.

Mellon, M., and Rissler, J. 2003. Environmental Effects of Genetically Modified Food Crops –
Recent Experiences. Union of Concerned Scientists, www.ucsusa.org/.

Connor, S. 1999. Arpad Pusztai: the verdict GM food: safe or unsafe? Mindfully.org,
www.mindfully.org/.