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BIO 220 RS Manvs Nature Online TRAD
Environmental Science (BIO-220)
Grand Canyon University
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Man vs. Nature
This week we are discussing Genetically Modified Foods and just like any product available there are pros and cons. This will be a hands-on assignment that will require you visit a grocery store to compare and contrast Genetically Modified and Organic produce. Be sure to select the same type of fruit or vegetable to compare and contrast. You are not required to buy the product!
Note: You may ask a store employee for help to identify which produce is organic and which is a GM (conventional).
Student name: Amber Young (This was done on an online store as I have 2 very small children and do not like to take them into stores with the pandemic.)
What fruit or vegetable are you comparing? Strawberries
Genetically Modified Organic Price $2 $4. Availability (quantity) not stated online not stated online Characteristics: Color Size Smell Weight
1lb (The website uses the same photo for both organic & GM)
1lb (The website uses the same photo for both organic & GM)
Where was it grown/imported from (country, state, etc.)?
Not stated on website Not stated on website
Where were observations made (farmers market, Walmart, etc.)?
Walmart app Walmart app
Short Answer Questions (Minimum of 250 words each)
- What are the some of the arguments for labeling GM foods? What are some of the arguments against it? What side do you feel is more valid, why? Provide at least one source per argument (one for and one against) to support your claims. There is plenty of talk of if GMO products being labeled as such should be mandatory or not. People who believe in the labeling mandate argue about products causing misconceptions. Some people may believe they are eating more natural food than they truly are which can be misleading to some consumers. Mandatory labeling can create less confusing and more fully
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informed consumers (Lamb, 2020). The opposite side of the argument believes that labeling GMOs can intensify the fear of the foods we eat on a regular basis. People who wish to not label GMO products fear that we will lose the largely beneficial science and technology they have used to ensure that plants and animals have been nearly genetically perfect (Editors, 2013). There needs to be more education regarding GMOs. If they truly are not as harmful to consume as these two sources are saying, it should not cause such a fear among people knowing that there could be foods or food products that have been genetically modified that they are eating. I believe that all foods should be labeled as what they are but I also think that genetically modified foods should be more commonly spoken about. From my understanding from what I have been reading is that GMOs can actually be helpful, choosing the best traits from certain foods and taking away the bad traits. I think people hear genetically modified and it causes concern that maybe it means chemicals or something of the sort, when they just mean maybe they added some extra nutrients or something in that range of modifications. So yes, GMOs should be labeled just like organic foods are labeled with better education about what they actually do. Resources Lamb S., (2020), Why We Need Mandatory Labeling of GMO Products, Retrieved from statnews/2020/02/19/why-we-need-mandatory-labeling-of-gmo-products/ on January 18, 2022. The Editors, (2013), Labels for GMO Foods are a Bad Idea, Retrieved from scientificamerican/article/labels-for-gmo-foods-are-a-bad-idea/ on January 18, 2022.
- What are some ethical concerns or benefits of using GMOs based on the Christian Worldview? (Refer to “Here’s What Religious Experts Have to Say About Faith and GMOs” for help answering this question.) Some religions believe that creating genetically modified foods is going against what God has created. Others believe that if it is done with good intentions, such as to help lower the hunger rates, it is okay and not against God's will (Smith, 2015). Roman Catholics, Islamic, Judaism, and even Hinduism all seem to have a majority response of “if they are being made for helpful purposes, genetically modified foods are okay to be eaten”. In Hinduism they say it is okay for their people to eat foods that are genetically modified but it is not typical practice to use GMOs in their offerings. Though each individual religion is not a direct yes or no on most subjects, as with most people. Almost no one thinks the exact same. It seems that most religions stated that it appeared that most of their people were just being cautious and waiting to see what sort of effects come from genetically modified foods before indulging themselves. Through the christian worldview, it seems that most Christians do not mind genetically modified foods as long as there is reasonable purpose to change the way God has created things. There are some who think it is wrong to change the genetics of the things that God has created. I personally see both sides of the views and think both pose a great stand point. I think that when done with purpose, such as adding nutrients to help lower the amount of people who go hungry, that genetically modifying foods can be helpful.
© 2016. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
BIO 220 RS Manvs Nature Online TRAD
Course: Environmental Science (BIO-220)
University: Grand Canyon University
