Genetically Engineered Foods

Food is a vital necessity in order to live; without it we would be malnourished and would most likely die from hunger. A person can survive without food for 30 - 40 days, but must stay hydrated (Janiszewski). Although it is a necessity, many people are still unable to afford the commodity because of the high cost for the healthier food choices, leading to a disproportionate impact over the lower social classes. There are many people who are unaware of the ingredients that are in our food, the process it took to make it, and the long term effects of consuming food that was genetically engineered. Genetically engineered foods have created food monopolies and have had a negative impact on consumers; these results are most intense among the lowest socio-economic classes.

Genetically Engineered Foods:

Genetic engineering is a process where “genetic material from one species is inserted into another to give it a new quality or resistant.” (Mather, Robin). For example in the mid-1990’s, Hawaiian farmers were faced with an insect borne virus - the papaya ring spot virus” (Bren). The virus affected the state’s second largest fruit crop and caused a rapid decline in papaya production. Plant breeders tried to create a pesticide that would fight off the insects, but the results were disappointing. Researchers then turned to genetic engineering in order to save the fruits. The virus gene was isolated and injected into the cells of the papaya plant, acting like an immunization for the Papaya (Bren). With this injection, the Hawaiian farmers were able to restore their crops without any further virus infecting the batch of papayas.

Hawaii was just a starting point for the use of genetically engineered foods. In 1994, the Federal Drug Administr...

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... years for humans. Not only did the experiment prove Pusztai hypothesis wrong of how genetically engineered foods are safe, but it has also brought up the controversy of genetically engineered food being sold for human consumption. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has not made strict regulations for engineered foods and since labeling is still being debated, many foods are untested by the FDA. In 1992, the FDA passed a policy allowing genetic engineering companies to voluntarily label their products. Since then, no companies have labeled their foods. Many consumer activists, lawyers, and organic food supporters were concerned about the health effects of genetically engineered foods. In Response, California released Prop 37 in 2012, requiring genetic engineering companies to label foods (California’s Proposition 37). Prop 37 was then voted no in that election.