MC MOLLY SWITALSKI
GENETIC ENGINEERING OF FOOD
SITUATION: Many people are olivious of the food content that they are consuming. There have been several alterations to many of the everyday common goods. Even though genetic engineering(GE) poses for the ability to produce foods faster and in a higher abundance, the negative aspects need to be taken into deep consideration before it is too late to undo the damage. In recent studies, it has become evident that foreign genes enter the host's DNA haphhazordly thorugh GE. In turn, this may alter cellular function. The transplanted genes of foreign substances also drains energy from the organism's vital funtions such as metabolic metabolism. Many of the biproducts are unpredictable and difficult to detect. Long term diseases like cancer my derive from usage of large portions of certain tampered foods. Europe and parts of Asia have caught wind of this and remain wary of the U.S.'s crops. This therefore directly has affected the amount of exports. If we further continue to tamper with nature, we could ininvertantly alter species forever. It does not only affect humans, but animals as well. Many farmers have switched over to altered grain which is much cheaper. These are the animals that we consume so there in itself, the cyle continues. Several midwesterners are complainging that their conventional crops are also being tampered with. The wind is blowing the pollen from the alltered crops and spreading to others. It has now gone as far that the large share of the population has little or no choice but to consume these products!
SOLUTION: In this plan, I propose a demand for tightening of regulations of Food and Drug Administration(FDA)polices. For years, they have bypassed lawsuits claiming altered genes and byproducts are exempt from testing because they are "generally recognized as safe."(GRAS)Still, it doesn't require tests of GE foods and doesn't perform means of substantial scientific reviews. With the proper examination and certain health criterias that must be passed before going out to consumers, the risks of the worst cases like Mad Cow disease will be almost eliminated. The emphasis of more studies regarding GE foods will allow for further education of exactly what content in the foods may cause problems. Therefore, the harmful contents will be labeled on packaging just like cigarettes. Putting this conflict into light will aslo make others aware and will allow them to make choices that will affect their health. To allow for those who don't want the alternitive, there should be a mandatory percent of crops that are made conventionally. Likewise, there must be a limit to a certain amount of produced GE produces in order to keep a balance.(Even if it means that it may be more expensive)The feed given to stock should be given accordingly. For example, altered foods to altered animals and conventional food to the "clean" animals. In terms of the crop pollunization, there must also be regulations that must be adhered to. This includes some sort of inside production system that will be blocked from the outside. With these careful steps, this will save so much chaos in the future!
IMPACT: Overall, people will actually become aware of this issue and give them the option. Specific countries will be more willing to trade with us once again. There will be a balance between GE goods and conventional.
There will be less concern of completley altering species as well.
ECONOMY: This plan completely contradics with the living economy. In that, it's saying we should do just the opposite, which is making GE products that will help feed third war countries. While I fully support finding ways to feed the hungry, we must do it the conventional way. The problems that would arise from Mau's plan would not just affect the poor, but everyone as a whole. On the surface, it sounds like a great idea, but when taken into deep consideration, there are so many negative aspects that are mentioned above. There has to be regulations and guidelines or biodiversity and sickness issues will beome out of control.
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