The Consumer Advocate's Perspective

1.) We the consumers should be aware of what we are putting in our bodies. GMF, or Genetically Modified Foods, can have harmful effects on people.


2.) The two most beneficial things about GMF are that they make healthful foods even more nutritious and they reduce the need for toxic chemicals, such as pesticides, to keep insects off crops. Tomatoes are being made to produce more lycopene, an antioxidant that may reduce cancer risk. Soybeans are being produced with higher levels of isoflavones, substances that can help lower the risk of heart disease. Without the use of pesticides on crops, the enviroment benefit aswell.


3.) Some problems with genetically modified foods is that they are often recalled, and can be unsafe for human health. A type of genetically modified corn that wasn't approved for human consumption was found in taco bell taco shells. The Starlink incident happened on September 18, 2000. The conrtovery on the event was the fact that the Starlink corn was not approved for human consumption, but rather for cattle feed.


4.) No, the risks are still prominent. Genetically modified foods can cause harmful allergic reaction. This would happen because in the genetic modifying process, the manufacturers could add a protein to the food that can cause an allergic reaction that would not be caused by the non-genetically modified version.


5.) Yes, all GM foods should be labled. It is the consumer's choice to eat the GM foods, and they have the right to know what they are putting in their bodies. They also should be aware of any harmful effects it might have on them. Congress has been proposed a bill that would require all GM foods to be labled accordingly. Unfortunately, it has never been passed as a law.