Gaby Salazar Period 3 Presentation Date: 5/22/12

Genetically modified foods are not healthy and shouldn’t be legal. Genetically modified foods are healthy and should continue to stay legal.

The long term health effects and health risks of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are not yet know. 1. GMOs can have unknown allergens. 2. GMOs may transfer antibiotic resistance markers. 3. Chemicals used for GMFs have unknown effects.

Stores are not sure whether they should label their products with signs that say “GMOs”. 1. If products are not labeled, customers don’t feel safe buying certain foods. 2. Labeling foods can give businesses a bad name. 3. People will not want to buy food with a GMOs label.

The process of achieving GMOs often includes unjust treatment to animals. 1. People will not buy GMOs if they are aware of the treatment of animal by the companies selling the food. 2. Cloning, a form of GMOs, isn’t considered ethical to all customers. 3. Customers may feel eating an animal that has been genetically modified isn’t healthy.

GMOs show improvement in our biotechnology. 1. Farmers are now able to grow plants/crops that are more resilient to adverse conditions. 2. They are able to grow more food faster than without advancements in biotechnology. 3. This proves advancements will continue.

The Green Revolution changed agriculture and farming methods forever.

Genetically modified foods offer the same health benefits as organic foods. 1. GMOs taste nearly the same as organic food. 2. Some GMOs are specifically grown to provide healthy nutrients when consumed. 3. GMOs are sold for the same price, maybe even cheaper than organic food.

GMOs can meet global food needs. 1. Rice and corn are able to be grown incredibly fast, which provide the essentials for lesser developed countries. 2. We as a country are able to share our biotechnology with other countries to help stop starvation. 3. Less starvation will lead to economic growth and stability in lesser developed countries.

GMO foods are genetically modified organisms that have had new genes from other organisms added to their existing genes. Although GMO foods may have several benefits to your health and the general well-being of the farming industry, it may also present several potential drawbacks.

Although health effects of GMOs are not yet know, I personally believe they should continue to be legal and sold in supermarkets. GMOs are currently feeding millions of people around the globe at low costs compared to solely organic foods. Organic foods may be healthier now, but as biotechnology continues to improve, so will the quality of genetically modified organisms.

Schmidt, Charles W. "Genetically Modified Foods: Breeding Uncertainty." Environmental Health Perspectives. Aug. 2005: A526-A533. SIRS Government Reporter. Web.. 21 May Eng, Monica. "Altered Food Labeling Sought." Chicago Tribune. 25 May 2011: 4. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 21 May Sechen, Suzanne. “Developments in New Animal Technologies Show Rapid Advancement.” FDA Veterinarian Vol. 22. No : 7-9 Trainer, Mark. "Statistics Show Large Gains for Biotech Agriculture in 2010." America.gov Press Release. 25 Feb 2011: n.p. SIRS Government Reporter. Web. 21 May 2012 Cheng, Maria. "British Scientists Breed New 'Super Broccoli'." Newsday. 26 Oct 2011: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 21 May Rives, Karin. "Modified Crops Can Meet Global Food Needs, Experts Say." America.gov Press Release. 22 Nov 2010: n.p. SIRS Government Reporter. Web. 21 May 2012.