More Information on GMOs |
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The issues surrounding the use of
genetically modified organisms are so numerous and so complex that environmentalists,
policy makers, corporations and other scientists in the field have struggled to determine what issues exist
and which of these are most important.
One positive side effect of these heated debates has been a significant increase in the amount of valuable information about genetically modified organisms. The following tables provide links to valuable information about the science, ethics, environmental impact, economics, and regulation of GMOs. Finally, the heated debate has brought forth a number of organizations interested in public education about GMOs. From "profit driven" promotion to anti-GMO eco-terrorism, some of these organizations have a significant bias either for or against GMO's. Others have a less-biased, informative motive. Nevertheless, because the issues behind GMO's are so complex perhaps the only way to develop an informed opinion about GMOs is to survey the full spectrum of information about them. Thus, links to a variety of organizations interested in GMOs are provided at the bottom of the page. |
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Ethics/EconomicsMany have questioned whether it is ethical to "play God" by moving genes from one species to the next.Furthermore, the fact that profit interests have appeared to dominate the development of GMO technologies, many wonder whether the humanitarian applications that GMO companies have espoused for use in developing countries will ever actually be developed, accepted, and used. To find out more about these and other ethical and economic issues see the links below. |
Environmental/Health IssuesAfter the recent scare about the allergenicity of the unintentionally released "starlink" corn, a number of concerns have been raised about the potential health concerns of eating GMOs.Additionally, there are a number of concerns about environmental effects of GMO usage. In part due to the well-publicized finding that Bt corn may harm monarch butterfly populations, concerns have surfaced about harm to unintended species and reduction in biodiversity. Others worry about the potential development of "superweeds," or pesticide resistant insects. To learn more about these and other environmental and health issues see the links below. |
Policy/RegulationIn the United States, GMOs fall under regulatory jurisdiction of the FDA, the USDA, and the EPA. Many complain that policies and regulations are insufficient or, at least, poorly organized. Furthermore, some are worried that corporate influence over policy has led to a dangerous level of "self-regulation" by biotech companies. One particaulrly hot topic is the issue of mandatory labeling of GMOs.To find out more about regulation and policy see the links below. |
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