The Choice is yours...

Cons

By genetically modifying organisms to create “better” foods, we are jeopardizing our safety. Since manufacturers are not required to label how foods were genetically modified, consumers are unaware of what hazardous by-products they are consuming. This puts the majority of consumers at risk, since most foods contain some sort of modified product to increase growth, flavor, etc.

The Western Journal of Medicine states in addition, the IGF-I in the milk of rBGH-treated cows is potentially more bioactive than the naturally occurring form, and this bioactivity may be increased further by pasteurization. Since the absorption of this product was tested only in adults, children may be more vulnerable to harmful side effects because their digestive tracts are not fully developed, they are continually growing, and they typically consume more milk than adults(Mercola).

Human genes have already been used in Britain to produce “designer meats”. Salmon with extra mouse and human genes grow up to four times faster than normal. Human gene modification on cows, rabbits, pigs, and lamb is already being done to produce finer cuts of meat. If we genetically modify foods using human genes, will this turn us into a nation of cannibals?

Aside from using human genes to genetically modify foods, scientists are using other genes to modify plants. Scorpion poison genes have been given to cabbages so that if caterpillars eat the cabbage they will die. Can foods such as this be considered safe for human consumption? This is particularly alarming because, again, manufacturers are not required to label products telling consumers that their cabbage may contain scorpion poison (Coghlan).

If genetically modified animals should blend with the normal population of animals, there could be irreversible consequences. Should these animals reproduce, it could create mutant like animals that could taint our whole food supply.

Genetically modified foods need to be labeled appropriately so consumers know what they are eating, and parents know exactly what they are feeding their children. The long-term effects of growth hormones and other products given to cows to produce better milk and beef have not yet been fully determined and the side-effects of consuming these products should not be experimented with.