The Truth Behind Genetically Modified Organisms

The growing controversy over genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have left many Americans and people all around the world with various questions and concerns as to what they are really putting into their bodies. The issue at hand is one that, although is very dominant in the world today, many are still uneducated on the problem and have not been informed with the facts. GMOs have been placed in the world without much question or second thought and it is time that America hear what should have been told many years ago. Although over ninety percent of the food eaten everyday has been genetically modified in the United States, many today believe the food they eat everyday is perfectly healthy, safe, and beneficiary for them. On the contrary, however, others will argue that the food has become poisoned, unsanitary, and detrimental to the health of themselves and others due to the ongoing issue of genetically engineered foods. As food production grows, and more suspicions rise to the surface, many people are left with the begging question, “Are GMOs really bad for us?” Everyone one is entitled to his or her own opinion and there are many out there who would like to believe one side or another. Regardless of who believes what, after the research is conducted, in hopes of accumulating a better understanding of the issue, it will be known what genetically modified organisms really are, where genetically mutated crops originate from and whether genetically modifying crops are harming or benefiting the world.
Genetically modified organisms are defined as, “An organism whose genetic characteristics have been altered by the insertion of a modified gene from another organism using the techniques of genetic engineering” (“AAAS”, 2012). Typi...

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...research and decide for themselves whether genetically modifying crops was wrong, the issue would be a much smaller ratio of pros versus against. Referring back to the statement above from “The Good, Bad and Ugly about GMOs”, it would be fairly hard to have something on the shelves of every grocery store if it were not safe or beneficiary to the health of the people. “Corn, rice, canola oil, and soy beans were all among the first to become FDA-approved GMOs during the mid 1990s.” (Hennessey, 2012). Hennessey (2012) then goes on to say, “Today the FDA has approved over 40 seeds and plants for genetic modification.” Whether “The Good, Bad and Ugly about GMO” or the article written by Rachel Hennessey is true, it is evident that not all genetically modified foods are evaluated, researched, or tested properly due to how much controversy there is over one single issue.