Law About Genetically Modified Food, Speech Example

In this case, it is important to first of all know the meaning of genetic modification. Consequently, the genetic modification refers to the alteration of an organism’s trait by use of DNA recombinant technology where genes are transferred from one organism to the other in the presence of biological species. Having no laws concerning the genetically engineered foods in US is a catastrophe to the citizens of US and the globe at large because these foods are unnatural and somehow unsafe for consumption. Nevertheless, U.S environmental and future sustainability could be in danger if proven that, GE has got detrimental effects on environment. Having no policy about this transgenic foods have totally denied US citizens the right to choose weather to consume GE foods or otherwise.

Mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods in European Union, New Zealand and Japan has been effected but US fear such policies on grounds of economic reasons because some consumers will avoid certain ingredients labeled as GE. US, Canada and Argentina produce over 70% of genetically modified foods in the world. On contrary, commercialization of US unlabelled products in other countries like India is prohibited whereas licensing of the same in UK have also raised concern. Therefore, even if most countries have enacted legislation on the control of GE foods, US products can easily find there way to the markets and be consumed (Dave 183).

The biggest problem and impediment to the legislative regulations and policies on Genetic Engineered food is the scarce research on potential health risks and effects of GMOs. U.S Food and Drug Administration have neither instituted any single study on the safety of Genetically Engineered food nor mandate GMO labeling. This has allowed Companies to introduce their GE products to the markets without the necessary notification of the agency. Also United states government argues that, introducing legislation, which will make labeling of genetically engineered food mandatory will be an act of warning about potential health effects yet there was no conclusive research on the effects of GMOs (Bevan 130).

Another problem as to why US have no legislation on the control of GMO foods is the fear of economic stumble. This problem has been caused by Monsanto. This is a biotechnology U.S publically traded multinational. Therefore instituting any legislation in US about GMO would be the shutting up of Monsanto (Sand 185).

The United States government is not at all ready to enact the legislation on genetically engineered foods despite the citizens’ outcry. Numerous legislations and policies have been passed but white house is yet to sign into the law but rather counter protective legislations introduced. Mandatory labeling would require alteration of other complex and technical issues in which could cost both consumer and the company that seeks to label its products in terms of tracing the GM ingredients (Bevan 62).

The other cause of this problem is the lack of clarity from the scientists as to what really happen during the process of genetic engineering of the food crops. Since most arguments for and against the laws are still based on speculations on whether they are safe or not, it is clear that the failure of scientists to clarify on this matter is one of the causes of the lack of legislation on the same (Sand 185).

A thorough neurological examination into the long term effects of Genetically Engineered Foods and products should be carried out and U.S Government compelled to accept the results, implement the necessary legislation. Finally, World organization bodies like FAO and WHO should be allowed to give the final legislation and say as far GE foods are concerned so that equal policies applies to all major markets globally (Akihiro 127).

The other solution is for the biotechnologists to further prove whether the genetically engineered foods are really safe or unsafe. Apart from the need for the neurologists to do their examination, the real engineers of these kinds of foods, the biotechnologists have to shed more light on what really happens during the genetic engineering. If they are using chemicals that may cause genetic mutation, they bring this out clearly. By so doing, it will be easy to set laws since there will be full evidence regarding the safety of these foods (Acquaah 34).

Therefore, in conclusion, it is bad that US is yet to sign the law guiding the genetically modified foods because of the fact that its economy depends largely on these foods. It is bad because the economic dependence on these foods is only enriching and rewarding the United States, while causing problems to the recipients or the importers of these foods due to the fact that they are unnatural.

Works Cited:

Acquaah, George. Principles of Plant Genetics and Breeding. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub, 2007. Internet resource.

Akihiro Hino. Safety Assessment and Public Concerns for Genetically Modi. Ed Food Products: The Japanese Experience. Toxicologic Pathology, vol 30, no 1, pp 126–128, 2002

Bevan E. B. Moseley. Safety Assessment and Public Concern for Genetically Modi. Ed Food Products: The European View Toxicologic Pathology, vol 30, no 1, pp 129–131, 2002

Bevan E. B. MoseleyHow to make foods safer – genetically modified foods Allergy 56: Suppl. 67: 61–63, 2001.Genetically

Dave Toke. A Comparative Study of the Politics of GM Food and Crops. Political Studies Association, 2004.

Sand H. Peter. Labelling Genetically Modified Food: The Right to Know. RECIEL 15 (2) 2006.