Continuing our work in the role playing of Biology class, my group and I have been asked to create our own statements on Two questions. The Questions are as follows: "Should there be government regulations requiring genetically engineered foods to be labeled?"and "Should there be government regulations to protect the environment from genetically engineered crops?"
Based on my groups views and the data presented by the groups environmentalist, legislature, and consumer advocate. My statement is this:
Genetically engineered foods have many advantages in today's primarily urbane society. These foods may be the solution to many issues which plague our would today, such as would hunger, and a growing lack of farmers. However they also pose several threats to our environment, economy, and health.
In recognizing that there are pros and cons to Genetically engineered food, we believe that the governments of this earth should put into an effective place, certain regulations as to the production and distribution of The engineered crop. while this may prove to be irksome to the farming industry, these regulations will prevent situations from arising. Examples of what we wish to prevent are Super Bugs which are immune to pesticides, diseases wiping out entire crops of plants, human diseases, human allergies and the spread of the mutant gene into other previously un-engineered organisms. Our recommended and desired regulations from the U.N. and in particular the U.S. government are: Separation of crops which have been mutated from other crops ( this we believe will prevent the spread of the genes), Burning of remaining plant peaces at end of season rather than simply rotating soil especially during crop rotations ( This will help replenish soils nutrients as well as prevent the spread of the mutation), and required licensing on farmers whom may wish to grow genetically engineered crops ( this will ensure that the farmers understand and agree to adhere to the other regulations).
In the issue of distribution of genetically engineered foods there are presently several problems . These problems have lead to the debate of whether or not Genetically Engineered food should be labeled. Issues with the mutated foods distribution include; should the food be separated from other foods (once again this is to prevent spread of genes to other organisms), and labeling of food (This will allow people to choose whether or not if they would wish to eat said food types. The government should require we believe labeling on all mutated food, as knowledge of what people are eating is a "certain unalienable right" after all it is there body that has to pay the price for what they eat. The labels addressed above should include what company or laboratory that produced the mutation, proof of licensing, Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval , and a brief explanation of as to how the food was mutated and why. These labels will help deal with the control of the mutation, the safety of the consumers, and should appease the rights of the consumers.
While there is good and bad to every advancement, we firmly believe that Genetically engineered foods pros greatly outweigh the cons if and only if certain regulations are put into place. These should include labeling and how the crops are produced.
