Genetically Modified OrganismsAlison VesperCLO 340 – Ethics in Today’s OrganizationsOctober 17, 2012Shelley BradburySouthwestern College Professional Studies

Issue

Failure to notify the public about genetically engineered plants and animals in the main stream food supply. Violation of Consumers’ Bill of Rights, 1962: Rights to

safety, to be informed, to choose, to be heard. (Ferrell et al., 2011)

No labeling requirements for GMOs. Conflict of interest?

Allegations that FDA has based it’s GMO policies on documentation, information, and research submitted by bioengineering companies and sources who stand to profit from sales of GMO products.

My Position

I do not believe it is ethical for the U.S. Government to allow GMOs to be used in the main stream food supply without labeling requirements.

Until further testing can confirm that GMOs are indeed safe in the long term, I believe the government should require labeling on GMO product packaging and on menus in food establishments where GMOs are served.

I also believe that consumers should be informed before administration of any medications and/or vaccines that contain GMOs.

Consumer awareness = consumer choice

GMO Defined

GMO – Noun - Genetically Modified Organism: an organism or microorganism whose genetic material has been altered by means of genetic engineering. (Dictionary.com, 2012)

Organisms that have been created through the gene-splicing techniques of biotechnology (also called genetic engineering, or GE). This relatively new science allows DNA from one species to be injected into another species in a laboratory, creating combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods. (Non-GMO Project, 2012)

What the FDA says…

FDA does not consider the method of production, including genetic modification, to be meaningful information which is required to be on product labeling unless the modification results in a significant material change in the food product. (Alewynse, PH.D., 2009)

The 1992 "Statement of Policy: Foods Derived from New Plant Varieties” states that FDA has no basis for concluding that bioengineered foods differ from other foods in any meaningful or uniform way, or that, as a class, foods developed by the new techniques present any different or greater safety concern than foods developed by traditional plant breeding. (FDA, 2012)

General Labeling Guidelines Do Apply

The name of the food item must be changed if the food significantly differs from traditional counterparts or the common name does not adequately describe the food.

A statement must be made on the label to describe any issue of the food, how it is used, or possible consequences from use.

Label must reflect any significant differences in nutritional properties.  

If a new food includes an allergen that consumers would not expect to be present based on the name of the food, the presence of that allergen must be disclosed on the label. (FDA, 1992)

Examples of Suggested GMO Labeling

"Genetically engineered" or "This product contains cornmeal that was produced using biotechnology.”

"This product contains high oleic acid soybean oil from soybeans developed using biotechnology to decrease the amount of saturated fat.”

"These tomatoes were genetically engineered to improve texture.”

"Some of our growers plant tomato seeds that were developed through biotechnology to increase crop yield.” (USDA, 2012)

CA vs Big BusinessSupporters include:

Nature's Path Foods Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps Clif Bar and Co. Annie's.

California initiated Proposition 37, will be voting November 6th – Big business fears other states will follow suit. (Bowden, PhD, C.N.S., 2012)

Opponents include: Monsanto Dupont PepsiCo DOW Kraft Foods Coca-Cola Nestle General Mills Kelloggs.

Potential Problems Other countries including Europe do not trust GMOs and do

not wish to import them or have their plants and livestock affected by cross contamination.

Possibility of perceived decreased nutritional value. Increase of diseases in consumers only since the

introduction of GMOs. Environmental issues - Chemical harm to the environment. Creation of Economies of Scale – Larger farms may use the

technology to force smaller farmers out of business. Legitimate need for more research over time. (USDA, 2012)

Research???

Contrary to industry claims, GM foods are not properly tested for human safety before they are released for sale. In fact, the only published study directly testing the safety of a GM food in humans found potential problems. To date, this study has not been followed up. (Non-GMO Project, 2009)

For more information on existing research, visit the Non GMO Project website and the following PDF: http://www.nongmoproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/GM-Crops-just-the-science.pdf

ReferencesAlewynse PH.D., M. (2009, October 28). Regulation of genetically modified plants in animal feed .

Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/FDAVeterinarianNewsletter/ucm133247.htm

Bowden, PH.D., C.N.S., J. (2012, October 30). Prop 37 and gmo foods: Yea or nay? . Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-jonny-bowden/gmo-prop-37_b_2035693.html

Dictionary.com. (2012). Gmo. Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gmo

FDA. (1992, May 29). Guidance for industry: Voluntary labeling indicating whether foods have or have not been developed using bioengineering draft guidance. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocuments/FoodLabelingNutrition/ucm059098.htm

Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2011). Business ethics: Ethical decision making and cases (9th ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning

USDA. (2012). Biotechnology. Retrieved from http://www.usda.gov/documents/BIOTECHNOLOGY.pdf

Non-GMO Project. (2009). Gm crops - just the science: research documenting the limitations, risks, & alternatives. Retrieved from http://www.nongmoproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/GM-Crops-just-the-science.pdf

Non-GMO Project. (2012). Gmo facts. Retrieved from http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/

Photos: GMO – Google Images http://www.google.com

Questions