Why Regulate Genetically Modified Foods?
Genetically modified plants, animals, and microorganisms pose clear risks to the environment and human health. For example, a gene from a genetically engineered plant that escapes (by way of its pollen) could imperil our future food production. The gene might make plants resistant to an herbicide, or cause the extinction of a plant that contains useful genes for future plant-breeding needs. What s more, eating genetically engineered organisms may be bad for your health. Scientists worry that products of the novel genes incorporated into food crops will cause allergic reactions in some people ranging in severity from a case of hives to death. For this reason, among others, consumer groups have been calling for mandatory labeling of GE foods. Genetically engineered foods are already all around us, and in us. Last year more than one-third of the U.S. soy crop was genetically engineered and all the varieties planted are owned by Monsanto. Lots of common food products are made from this GE
