GMOs Impact, Perception, and Implementations

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So much of what America produces contains GMOs that Dr. Fred Magdoff (2008) contends that, if the American public decided tomorrow that they no longer wanted to eat genetically modified foods, there would be no way to feed the population. Put simply, there is not a large enough supply of non-genetically modified food available in the United States to feed the United States. Genetically Modified Organisms were introduced to the consumer market in America in 1996, promising this was the new way to reduce the over fishing of our oceans and provided a more sustainable crop (2008). A crop that could resist drought, be protected against certain types of bacteria like root rot, and increased production (Okigbo, Iwube ,Putheti, 2011). Such claims are widely debated on both sides of the argument. A few examples stand out as proving genetically modified’s research and production is on the right path to fulfill these claims, like the AquAdvantage Salmon and Bt corn. The AquAdvantage salmon retains "...the fundamental traits and characteristics of an Atlantic salmon are now blended with an eel-like species called the ocean pout and a salmon native to the Pacific Ocean, the chinook." (Clausen and Longo, 2012) This new type of salmon grows at twice the rate of a normal salmon, reducing the time to market significantly. Adulthood can be reached in eighteen months instead of three years like their wide born cousins (2012). The AquAdvantage salmon also consumes less fish feeds than traditional salmon, which required three kg of wild fish, to produce one kg of salmon meat (2012). “Salmon farming currently consumes 40 percent of [the] world’s fish oil production, resulting in a net loss of global protein.” (2012) Especially since the world’s demand... ... middle of paper ... ...modified (GM) foods for sustainable development in Africa. E-Journal of Science & Technology, 6(3), 25-44. Packham, C., Wardell, J. (2014, February 6). Neighboring farmers fight landmark Australian GMO court case. Retrieved from http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSL3N0L52XH20140206?irpc=932 Puduri, V., Govindasamy, R., & Nettimi, N. (2010). Consumers' perceptions toward usefulness of genetically modified foods a study of select consumers in USA. IUP Journal of Agricultural Economics, 7(3), 7-17. Scanlan, S. (2013). Feeding the Planet or Feeding Us a Line? Agribusiness, 'Grainwashing' and Hunger in the World Food System. International Journal of Sociology of Agriculture & Food, 20(3), 357-382. Zerbe, N. (2004). Feeding the famine? American food aid and the GMO debate in Southern Africa. Food Policy, 29(6), 593-608. doi:10.1016/j.foodpol.2004.09.0

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