NOW FOR AN ORIGINAL PAPER ASSIGNMENT:Assignment: GM Foods Discussion

Week 6 discussion GM Foods There is a growing trend in the United States for food companies to have their foods be verified to contain no GM (genetically modified) products or ingredients due to consumer demand. Research the use of GM foods and plants within our food supply, including their pros and cons, primary use and any possible health issues related to them. Are there advantages to the use of GM foods? Is there justifiable fear to consuming GM foods/ingredients within our diets or are consumers overreacting? Why or why not? Are organic foods more nutritious and safer compared to GM foods? Why or why not? After your research, will you change your dietary and food purchasing choices?

Genetically modified foods (GM foods), also known as genetically engineered foods (GE foods), or bioengineered foods are foods produced from organisms that have had changes introduced into their DNA using the methods of genetic engineering. Genetic engineering techniques allow for the introduction of new traits as well as greater control over traits when compared to previous methods, such as selective breeding and mutation breeding.^[1]

Commercial sale of genetically modified foods began in 1994, when Calgene first marketed its unsuccessful Flavr Savr delayed-ripening tomato.^[2][3] Most food modifications have primarily focused on cash crops in high demand by farmers such as soybean, corn, canola, and cotton. Genetically modified crops have been engineered for resistance to pathogens and herbicides and for better nutrient profiles. GM livestock have been developed, although, as of November 2013, none were on the market.^[4]

There is a scientific consensus^[5][6][7][8] that currently available food derived from GM crops poses no greater risk to human health than conventional food,^{[9][10][11][12][13]} but that each GM food needs to be tested on a case-by-case basis before introduction.^[14][15][16]Nonetheless, members of the public are much less likely than scientists to perceive GM foods as safe.^{[17][18][19][20]} The legal and regulatory status of GM foods varies by country, with some nations banning or restricting them, and others permitting them with widely differing degrees of regulation.^{[21][22][23][24]}

However, there are ongoing public concerns related to food safety, regulation, labelling, environmental impact, research methods, and the fact that some GM seeds, along with all new plant varieties, are subject to plant breeders’ rights owned by corporations.