What are GMOs?

The Future of GMOs

GMOs, or Genetically Modified Organisms, are
organisms that have had their genetic code changed in
some way. This permanently changes the being’s
DNA, allowing the organism to take on specialized
functions they wouldn’t be able to do before the extra
DNA. There are many different organisms that can be
modified in this way, but plants are some of the most
common.
It is estimated that…
88% of corn in the US is Genetically
Modified
94% of cotton in the US is Genetically
Modified
GMO Labeling
The fight over labeling products made with genetically
modified organisms is not over. Technology will A look inside the controversy based on the labeling of
continue to grow and new products will continue to be Genetically Modified Organisms in the United States.
created. The curiosity around these products and what
is in the products we eat will continue to be on the
minds of US citizens. The US government and citizens
should work together to create the best laws regarding
labeling these products. Also looking to another
country, such as the countries of the European Union,
could help to accelerate the process of creating these
laws.
Before deciding whether or not one believes GMOs
should be labeled, they should do some research!
Learning more about what GMOs are and how they
are produced can help expand one’s knowledge and
craft a viewpoint. Once they have a view, they should
make their voice heard! Work to find a solution and
find the controversy around labeling genetically
modified organisms.

The Controversy
In the United States, most plants are being genetically
modified to make them more economically feasible
for farmers to plant and grow. Many of these GMO
crops are then used in other products that humans
consume.

People in the US are more conscious than ever on

what they are eating themselves and feeding their
children. They want to know what is in their food and
if GMOs were used to make these products. Labels on
food currently don’t say if GMOs were used to
produce the product, but many people believe this
should change.

Read this brochure to learn more about GMOs

and the idea behind their labeling. Brochure made for English 1201 Alternative Genre
Assignment. Created by Kaylee Clark.
History of GMOs Many citizens believe GMOs should be labeled. They
believe they have a right to know what is in their food and
The Green Revolution in the 1960s focused more what they are consuming. Others believe that GMOs are
research on agriculture, which lead to the creation of fundamentally no different than other non-GMO crops.
genetic engineering. After gaining trust with the world Because of this, they see no reason for these products to
population, genetically modified crops and food products be labeled.
began appearing. Tomatoes modified to extend their
shelf life are one of the first genetically modified Take a look at the list of some of the positives and negatives
products to be put on the market. As more time went on, of labeling GMOs and decide for yourself!
the technology around genetic engineering began to
grow. New varieties of GMO crops began to emerge and Positives of Labeling Negatives of Labeling
gain popularity. By 2000, genetically modified
• Increases consumer • Costly
organisms were being grown on 109.2 million acres,
awareness
more than half of which were and continue to be grown
in the United States.
Current Regulations • Increases
• Increases consumer misunderstandings
The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard choice related to GMOs
was the most recent law regarding the labeling of GMOs.
This law doesn’t specifically state which products should • Create new markets • Increases GMO
be labeled or how they should be labeled, but instead stigmatism
• Satisfies consumer
gives the USDA the power establish a national standard
curiosity and right-to- • Changes the recipes and
explaining the procedures for labeling products. A new
know ingredients of existing
law hasn’t yet been established as the US government it
products
still struggling to answer all of the questions that come • Easy identification for
with creating this new legislation. those with allergies or • Confusing or
dietary restrictions misrepresented
information on labels
Looking to the World
The European Union was one of the first countries to
introduce the labeling of genetically modified organisms.
They currently have a three-part system to regulate the
GMOs in their marketplaces. Looking to the European
Union and adapting some of their successful policies
could help the USA advance quicker towards establishing
successful and recognizable labeling standards.
 Works Cited

“Are Organic and Non-GMO Farming More Sustainable than Farming Using GMOs?” GMO FAQ, Genetic
Literacy Project, gmo.geneticliteracyproject.org/FAQ/organic-non-gmo-farming-sustainable-farming-
using-gmos/. Accessed 26 Apr. 2019.

Coit, Marne, and Kim Bousquet. “Gmo Labeling: An Emerging Food Labeling Issue”. Drake Journal of
Agricultural Law, vol. 23, no. 1, Spring 2018, pp. 21-28. EBSCOhost,
https://eds.b.ebscohost.com/eds/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=1bb1bc1b-e05b-4ffa-b23d-
a12f1cd9675a%40sessionmgr101&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d#AN=131339905&db=a9
h. Accessed 15 Mar. 2019.

Edmisten, Keith. “What Is the Difference Between Genetically Modified Organisms and Genetically Engineered
Organisms?” NC State Extension News, 2016, agbiotech.ces.ncsu.edu/q1-what-is-the-difference-
between-genetically-modified-organisms-and-genetically-engineered-organisms-we-seem-to-use-
the-terms-interchangeably/. Accessed 26 Apr. 2019.

“Healthy Cereal For Kids (& Adults!): Turn Your Sugar Nightmare Throughout Healthy Cereal Nutrition Label”.
World of Label, www.anasfim.com/blog018/03/healthy-cereal-nutrition-label/healthy-cereal-for-kids-
adults-turn-your-sugar-nightmare-throughout-healthy-cereal-nutrition-label. Accessed 3 Apr. 2019.

McDivitt, Paul. “Golden Rice: The GMO Crop Greenpeace Hates and Humanitarians Love”. Genetic Literacy
Project, 13 Feb. 2018, geneticliteracyproject.org/2018/02/13/golden-rice-gmo-crop-greenpeace-
hates-and-humanitarians-love/. Accessed 3 Apr. 2019.

McLure, Jason. "Genetically Modified Food." CQ Researcher, 31 Aug. 2012, pp. 717-40,
library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2012083100. Accessed 3 Apr. 2019.

“What Is a GMO?” Facts, The Public Engagement Team at the Wellcome Genome Campus, 17 Feb. 2017,
www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-is-a-gmo. Accessed 26 Apr. 2019.