Environment Decision Making Report on Genetically Modified Foods Paper -Write a 3-4 page paper (double-spaced) that explains your initial opinion and how t

Environment Decision Making Report on Genetically Modified Foods Paper -Write a 3-4 page paper (double-spaced) that explains your initial opinion and how the content of the course has influenced your position. Explain how what you have learned in this class has influenced your opinion on the subject. Be sure to include references (at least 3)and cite them appropriately using APA style within the paper and provide a list of your references at the end of the paper.

Initial Opinion to elaborate paper-

Genetically modified food (GM) are scientifically engineered products that are benefiting both companies and consumers. In today’s supermarket, brands proudly label their products in highlighted colors or letters stating FREE from GMO or Genetically Modified Organism usually associated with something health related so that the consumers (us) don’t feel guilty for buying tainted chips or meats. These are grass feed meats along with all-natural potato chips so no need to fear. I typically never care about those qualities in my meal, I look at this problem more in an optimism standpoint. Everything at a grocery store has its bad qualities whether you cook healthy or annotate nutritional values all day. Chances are your consuming some form of genetically modified foods and have no idea. Have you ever enjoyed crackers and cheese? Well that would be a GM product as stated by Keith Schneider “Hard cheeses provide another example of the use of genetically modified organisms in food production” (2002) And have you ever wondered why vegetables are still firm after days of shipping and processing until it reaches your home? Well you can thank GM for that “The genetic modifications allow these tomatoes to remain firm even after extended shipping and storage times” (2002). Today’s meal was a club sandwich that consisted of tomatoes and cheese as a prime example of genetically modified products so I can safely say I eat GM foods most days of the week.

Genetically modified foods should be grown and consumed both in the U.S and around the world. Here in America we are privileged enough for the excess in life, such as cars, clothes and food. Agriculture is quite possibly one of the most important industry in the United States, with excess comes waste. Waste is something we do daily, you can’t finish that bagel it’s okay just throw it away, an economic research study conducted by U.S Department of Agriculture “concluded that food waste is estimated at between 30-40 percent of the food supply” (2010). Not to worry, GM has started to tackle this dilemma “New potatoes that are genetically engineered to resist bruising during shipping and handling are coming onto the market, and new apples that resist browning when sliced will reduce food waste in the market and kitchen!”(U.S Farmers &Ranchers Alliance). With waste of food in the U.S market being handled; farmers have now looked towards improving the global community. “Foods with enhanced nutritional profiles, both in the US and abroad. Today we have GMO soybean seeds that produce healthier soybean oils, eliminating trans fats and containing increased levels of Omega 3. Tomorrow we hope to have bananas in Uganda” (U.S Farmers& Ranchers Alliance). Although GM is still relatively new development and long-term health effects are still limited but for now it’s a short-term fix for ending global hunger and improving our economic hunger for excess.

Reference

Schneider, Keith & Schneider, Renee (2002) “Genetically Modified Food”; University of Florida Food Science and Human Nutrition Department; Publication: January 2002. Revised: November 2006. Reviewed November 2009

U.S Department of Agriculture; “How much food waste is there in the United States?” Food Waste FAQ retrieved from https://www.usda.gov/foodwaste/faqs

“What Are the benefits of GMOs, Both Today and in the Future?”; U.S Farmers and Ranchers Alliance retrieved from http://www.fooddialogues.com/article/benefits-gmos…