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GMO Food LabelingAshley Tyler

Ashley Tyler (AT) -

GMO CropsWhat are GMO crops?Genetically Modified Organisms are the result of genetic engineering. Genetic Engineering is a technique in which a desired trait from one plant is replicated and inserted into a new plant. These plants are altered in order to resist damage from pests, endure extreme weather conditions, yield more per acres, or display other desired characteristics.Major crops that have been GM:Corn, soybeans, cotton, rice, sweet potatoes, potatoes, apples, sugar beets

Should GMO crops be labeled?The labeling of GM products would do an injustice to companies in which are having to use the labeling. Causes consumers to be nervous to purchase products.No studies showing that GM projects are detrimental to consumers health.No long term studies

Effect on FarmersIncreased cost of seed certificationIncreased cost of GAP certificationOrganic & transitionalIncreased labor costFewer pesticidesDecreased food per acre yieldIncrease in irrigation needs

Effect on Farmers/SuppliersIncrease cost in purchasing equipmentSeparation of storage at grain companiesShort term labor increaseRelabeling and redesigning of POS softwareConfusion within stores because of over labelingDiscontinue of products

Where does the labeling stop?Excess of productsPetsHealth careMislabelingBeerPoultry, pork, beef and dairy industriesLocations of bee pollination

Positives of GM CropsVitamin A deficiency in Africa43 million children under age 5Causes blindness, disease and deathOrange-fleshed sweet potatoGolden Rice

Positives cont.Increased food production155 people per farmer, up from 19 in 1940Decrease in tillageReduced runoff, water pollution, erosionPrevents disease from destroying varietiesCitrus greening

Alternative OptionsPut an organic label on organic products only

Allow labeling similar to milk productsThere is no scientific difference between BST and non-BST milk.

Allow signage on nutrition label

Works CitedBrookes, G., & Barfoot, P. (2005). GM crops: The global economic and environmental impact - the first nine years 1996-2004. AgBioForum, 8(2&3), 187-196. gohttp://www.agbioforum.org.Cockburn, Andrew. "Assuring the Safety of Genetically Modified (GM) Foods: The Importance of an Holistic, Integrative Approach." Journal of Biotechnology 98.1 (2002): 79-106. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.Crespi, John M., Marette, Stephan. Does Contain vs. Does Not Contain: Does it Matter which GMO label is Used?. European Journal of Law and Economics: 327-344. November 2003.Fernandez-Cornejo J, Wechsler JJ, Livingston M, Mitchell L (2014) Genetically Engineered Crops in the United States. Economic Research Report ERR-162 (United Sates Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC). http://www.ers.usda.gov/media/1282246/err162.pdfGolder, Geoff et al. Potential Costs of Mandatory Labelling of Food Products Derived from Biotechnology in Canada. . 1-66. 11 April 2006. Organic Agriculture. U.S. Department of Agriculture. 23 Feb 2016. "Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes: Improving Lives in Uganda." Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes: Improving Lives in Uganda. Web. 26 Feb. 2016.Paine, Jacqueline A., Catherine A. Shipton, Sunandha Chaggar, Rhian M. Howells, Mike J. Kennedy, Gareth Vernon, Susan Y. Wright, Edward Hinchliffe, Jessica L. Adams, Aron L. Silverstone, and Rachel Drake. "Improving the Nutritional Value of Golden Rice through Increased Pro-vitamin A Content." Nat Biotechnol Nature Biotechnology 23.4 (2005): 482-87. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.