According to the Organic Consumers Association, the food industry stakeholders are using all means possible to bar legal entities from formulating laws to control the manufacture of foods that contain Genetically Modified Organisms. In their quest to continue producing GMO food, the firms are threatening to sue any first state that goes ahead to enact and implement any regulation laws that will compel the companies to scrutiny. Such threats have scared many countries as well as lawmakers. For instance, the states of Maine and Connecticut attempted to make laws in 2013 to curb GMO foods but unfortunately bowed down to threats and introduced clauses that rendered the laws useless. Such provisions required that a minimum of four neighboring states with at least twenty million inhabitants pass similar bills for the rules to be used.
The Grocery Manufacturer’s Association (GMA) continues to peddle lies and propaganda by publishing inaccurate information about GMOs. Numerous articles have circulated, trying to highlight the so-called benefits of food containing GMOs. Several claims are raised by the food manufacturers that genetic diet reduces the number of pesticides used as well as the amount of water. Scientists, on the other hand, argue that genetic engineering brings about many pesticides and new sets of ‘super weeds’ and ‘superbugs.' The other talking point raised is that genetic food is no different from that grown using traditional methods. This follows a report from the American Medical Association that alleges that conventional food growing methods are as riskier as genetic methods. But if the GMA agrees that both ways are dangerous, it shows that they are aware of the dangers of their products and are just oblivious to the plight of consumers. The obsession is on the profits that accrue from the sale of the products and not the health of the consumers.
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Across the globe, many people are of the opinion that genetic food is not safe. There is too much resistance from activists as well as the public. Many governments are trying to regulate some GMO foods that are produced or exported into their countries. The move by the stakeholders to lobby and attempt to stop lawmakers from putting measures is malicious and a point of concern. The food manufacturers are also not willing to label their products so that consumers know what they are buying. The fear is that consumers are scared of their products and will therefore not buy them. People have a right to know what they are consuming. Trying to hide the labels only creates suspicion about the safety of the GMOs. It confirms the fear that the food has issues that have not been adequately addressed. Genetically modified foods indeed have been proven to have health effects to individuals. Tests conducted on other organisms using genes obtained from genetically modified foods show adverse effects on their bodies. Experts have warned that the same results could happen to human beings if they consume food with similar genes.
Finally, genetically modified foods can solve a lot of the globe’s malnutrition challenges and assist in preserving and protecting the environment by raising the crop yield and minimizing the use of pesticides and herbicides. But there exist many problems for administrations particularly in areas such as controlling, safety testing, and food labeling and international policy. Many people are skeptical whenever the subject of genetically modified foods is raised. Different opinion makers predict that genetically modified foods are the future. As much as it may be true, proper research ought to be conducted as well as appropriate growing practice to enable the production of safe food. All stakeholders should be involved at each step to eliminate fear and skepticism.
