dissatisfaction regarding the adequacy and ethical standards of the FDA; I think that is a topic I would like to get to know a lot better.
As far as this incident goes, I just cannot support it. Just when it seems like the attention and research is starting to be sent in this direction, a setback like this occurs.
I take online courses through CourseRA. In the discussion forums for a recent Public Policy course, a professor responded to my concerns of GMO foods with the fact that because it cuts costs, it can be used to help reduce world hunger. While I completely understand that, I still believe that we should go about it a different way. Not labeling the difference between the products is something I just can't get past.
There are things that lead us to believe that genetically modified organisms in our food and health products is not beneficial to us, and is in fact harmful. Lab animals given GMO foods in the research that has been done, those animals many times cannot reproduce. Thorough enough studies have not been done to determine whether it is a healthy move or not. If it isn't, is there a healthier option with similar economical benefits that we could be taking instead??
The FDA claims that the GMO salmon is as healthy to eat as regular salmon. It may be worth looking into, to see if it may be a worthy alternative, but as of now there are not enough facts to support this kind of claim. The public support is not behind it either. Millions are against it, more so in European countries than in the US. Petitions float over the internet, some stores, such as Cosco are refusing to sell the product.
This does not mean that it won't sell, however. The FDA leaves the labeling up to the companies that sell the fish. It doesn't require that the animal be labeled to state that it was genetically altered and human made. It is beyond me how stores would refuse to sell a GMO salmon when it may be a mystery to all which is which.
I would hate to boycott all salmon, because there are fishermen out there who do an honorable job and are looking to produce food that is healthy for their customers. They would feed it to their own children.
The goal seems to be to have the altered salmon fit in with the already existing market, but be faster, cheaper and easier to produce at a higher rate. The GMO salmon will grow to market size in 16-18 months, rather than the natural 3 years.
What do you think about this? Anyone more educated on the topic than I? Any information is greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Lindsey
I take online courses through CourseRA. In the discussion forums for a recent Public Policy course, a professor responded to my concerns of GMO foods with the fact that because it cuts costs, it can be used to help reduce world hunger. While I completely understand that, I still believe that we should go about it a different way. Not labeling the difference between the products is something I just can't get past.
There are things that lead us to believe that genetically modified organisms in our food and health products is not beneficial to us, and is in fact harmful. Lab animals given GMO foods in the research that has been done, those animals many times cannot reproduce. Thorough enough studies have not been done to determine whether it is a healthy move or not. If it isn't, is there a healthier option with similar economical benefits that we could be taking instead??
The FDA claims that the GMO salmon is as healthy to eat as regular salmon. It may be worth looking into, to see if it may be a worthy alternative, but as of now there are not enough facts to support this kind of claim. The public support is not behind it either. Millions are against it, more so in European countries than in the US. Petitions float over the internet, some stores, such as Cosco are refusing to sell the product.
This does not mean that it won't sell, however. The FDA leaves the labeling up to the companies that sell the fish. It doesn't require that the animal be labeled to state that it was genetically altered and human made. It is beyond me how stores would refuse to sell a GMO salmon when it may be a mystery to all which is which.
I would hate to boycott all salmon, because there are fishermen out there who do an honorable job and are looking to produce food that is healthy for their customers. They would feed it to their own children.
The goal seems to be to have the altered salmon fit in with the already existing market, but be faster, cheaper and easier to produce at a higher rate. The GMO salmon will grow to market size in 16-18 months, rather than the natural 3 years.
What do you think about this? Anyone more educated on the topic than I? Any information is greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Lindsey
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