Zo Abramson

Green Group
Critical Thinking Paper, GMOs

Congress must vote to become part of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety because

genetically modified organisms (GMOs) create a health risk, harm the environment, and affect

the gene pool in unpredictable ways. GMOs are used in food, drugs, animals, and other

biological products ("Restrictions on Genetically). A GMO is created in a laboratory process. In

this process genes and DNA of one organism are extracted and transferred into a completely

unrelated species. The new genes and DNA may come from bacteria, viruses, insects, animals, or

humans ("GMO Education). Up to as much as seventy percent of normal grocery store food

contains GMOs ("UCSC). Most people dont even know when they are consuming GMOs

unless they are specifically checking for it. Some people think all GMOs are safe, others think

that only some types are safe, and some even think that all types are dangerous.

Depending on the organism that is being modified, a different agency is used to regulate

GMOs in the U.S. GMO regulations are consistent with health, safety, and environmental

legislation of normal products. Though there are no specific regulations for GMOs though. The

U.S. regulations on GMOs is based on the assumption that regulations should focus on the nature

of the products rather than the way are were made. Food GMOs are regulated by the FDA based

on the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). In this act, the FDA can review any

food additives on a case by case basis. There are also foods that are categorized as generally

recognized as safe (GRAS). GMOs are considered a GRAS product so they are not specifically

reviewed ("Restrictions on Genetically). All GMOs need to be reviewed specifically to help

avoid any problems that certain GMOs will cause.

GMOs can create human health problems. Organizations like the Institute for

Responsible Technology (IRT) believe that GMOs can be toxic and lead to cancer and other

health problems. The IRT have performed studies using rats to show possible health risks
 Zo Abramson
Green Group
Critical Thinking Paper, GMOs

associated with GM foods. The IRT fed the rats a diet consisting of GM potatoes. They reported

that almost all of the rats organ systems were affected. They claimed that this was due to the

toxins in the food (Norris). Even though the test wasnt performed on humans it is still credible

because many years of scientific studies have shown that rats and mice react the same way as

humans to food, drugs, and chemicals (Norris). The IRT also accuses GM foods of causing more

allergy reactions. The IRT has said, Soy allergies skyrocketed by 50% in the UK, soon after GM

soy was introduced (Health Risks). Other issues with GM soy have been reported. Many

people have reported being allergic to GM soy, but not to naturally grown soy (Health Risks).

In past studies, GM foods such as corn have been linked to reproductive problems. In one study

where mice were fed GM food, there was a significant decrease in offspring over time and

significantly lower litter weight ("Genetically Modified). The same trial also found that

hundreds of genes appeared differently in the GM corn fed mice. The genes that they got

performed their jobs improperly. Many of those genes control critical parts of the mices health.

Certain GMOs, in studies using mice and rats, have been proven to cause serious health

problems. If some GMOs are proven to create health problems those types of GMOs must be

taken out of consumer products.

GMOs also have a negative effect on the environment. To keep pests away from their

crops, farmers use herbicides and pesticides. Weeds and pest can develop resistance to these

pesticides and cause farmers to develop new chemicals to keep the weeds and pests away

(Newman). Using pesticides is bad for the environment because they can become runoff and

contaminate the ocean. One scientist, Ciliberto, wasnt expecting to see that much increase in

herbicide use and said, I did not expect to see such a strong pattern, and that he was worried

about the environmental impact. GMOs also have an increased toxic level due to the increased
 Zo Abramson
Green Group
Critical Thinking Paper, GMOs

use of pesticides. Birds, bees, butterflies and other animals that pollinate are greatly affected.

Bees are becoming endangered by new farming techniques including GMOs (Glass). The pollen

that GMOs contain can contaminate wild, naturally grown crops. The IRT has found that,

virtually all heritage varieties of corn in Mexico (the origin of all corn) have been found to have

some contamination ("Dangers to the Environment). Other foods such as sugar beets, that are a

part of the chard family, can become contaminated through cross pollination. Scientists are

working on pharmaceutical GMOs that could be dangerous by contaminating naturally grown

plants ("Dangers to the Environment). GMOs are not only affecting plants, but they are

affecting animals as well. Pollinating animals are being harmed by the toxic in GMOs. Through

cross pollination GMOs are contaminating wild crops. Changes need to be made to help protect

the environment.

The gene pool is also affected by GMOs. A gene pool is a collection of all of the genes in

any population (Skwarecki). The population can be a group of anything. In the case of GMOs,

the gene pool is referring to the plant population. The gene pool is what allows there to be

genetic diversity and the variety of plants seen today. The gene pools and genetic diversity also

allows plants to adapt to new surroundings. Low genetic diversity can create many problems for

the survival of plants in new or harsh conditions. Since all of the plants would have similar genes

they would be unable to adapt to the new surroundings. During the potato famine in Ireland the

potatoes were infected with P. infestans. The Irish didnt use seeds when they planted their

potatoes; instead, they planted sections from a parent potato. The potatoes were all exact clones

of each other with no genetic diversity (Gibbons). Because of this the potatoes were unable to

adapt the P. infestans and the germ spread rapidly. If there was more genetic diversity among the

plants there is a good chance that the potatoes would be able to adapt to the P. infestans and not
 Zo Abramson
Green Group
Critical Thinking Paper, GMOs

as many people would have died. When scientists add any type of genes that they want to put in

food, many plants can have similar genes. GMOs have low genetic diversity. Cross pollination

can also spread similar genes from GMOs to wild plants. Grass that is commonly used in golf

courses is genetically modified and has spread to many other plants. The grass has DNA that

allows it to not be affected by a common herbicide. This allows the grass to be sprayed with

weed killer, but not be affected. Since grass is pollinated by wind, scientists found that the

herbicide resistance gene was found in grass nine miles away (Pollack). This herbicide resistance

can spread to plants that are eventually going to be eaten. The two types of grass mate with each

other and create a hybrid version of grass. Those who oppose GMOs are worried that, the

hybrid species would be better able to reproduce (Landry). The ability to reproduce could allow

the modified gene to be present in the population and the genetic diversity of the wild plants

would decrease. A situations such as the potato famine could happen again. The GM grass is

causing a lower diversity, so if there is a disease the GMOs would be unable to fight back. Lots

of our food could be ruined. Genetic diversity was a health issue in the past, and can cause other

unwanted effects. The genetic diversity in the gene pool needs to be maintained so that plants can

adapt.

The U.S. must vote to join the Cartagena Protocol because it is an international

agreement that comes with labeling restrictions on foods that arent tested enough to be

considered safe. The FDA also must find ways to limit the effects that GMOs create on people,

the environment, and other plants. Studies conducted by many organizations show that there are

health issues with GMOs that are not present in normal food. GMOs also hurt the environment.

GMOs create the added need for harmful pesticides. Animals that need to pollinate are also

harmed by irregular toxicity. The genetic diversity in the gene pool is decreased and plants are
 Zo Abramson
Green Group
Critical Thinking Paper, GMOs

less able to adapt to their surroundings. Just because their are some issues and risks with GMOs

doesnt mean they have to be stopped immediately. So much of the food consumed by humans

already contains GMOs, so it would be nearly impossible to completely stop the making and

consumption of GMOs. To make GMOs safe the FDA must create regulations that are specific to

GMOs and address the problems that have been identified. To address the effects on human

health GM food must be treated as a food additive as opposed to a GRAS. This would allow

each type of GMO to be tested for any health risk. The title of food additive only has the

GMOs tested for human health. The regulations also need to limit the environmental impact.

Each GM crop needs to be limited to a safe level of toxicity for animals to be able to pollinate.

For environmental and gene pool purposes GM crops need to planted on separate farms from

natural crops. This will prevent the cross pollination that causes the naturally grown crops to be

contaminated and will keep more variety in the gene pool. Genes from GMOs are typically found

in wild plants up to one mile away. If the FDA creates a new act that encompases all of these

GMOs, it will be safe for the environment and for humans. GMOs dont need to be outlawed;

they just need to be heavily regulated. The FDA must create a new act that creates laws specific

to the safety of GMOs, and Congress must also vote to join the Cartagena Protocol to humans.
 Zo Abramson
Green Group
Critical Thinking Paper, GMOs

Works Cited Page

Dangers to the Environment. Institute for Responsible Technology, Word Press,

responsibletechnology.org/gmo-education/dangers-to-the-environment/.
Accessed 2 Apr. 2017.
Gibbons, Ann. Potato Famine Pathogens DNA Sequenced, Solving Scientific
Mystery after 168 Years. Huffington Post, 23 May 2013,
www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/23/
potato-famine-pathogen-dna-sequenced-mystery_n_3320547.html. Accessed 2
Apr. 2017.
Glass, Emily. The Environmental Impact of GMOs. One Green Planet, 2 Aug. 2013,
www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/the-environmental-impact-of-gmos/.
Accessed 2 Apr. 2017.
GMO Education. Instituted for Responsible Technology, Word Press,
responsibletechnology.org/gmo-education/. Accessed 2 Apr. 2017.
Health Risks. Institute for Responsible Technology, Word Press,
responsibletechnology.org/gmo-education/health-risks/#11. Accessed 2 Apr.
2017.
Landry, Heather. Challenging Evolution: How GMOs Can Influence Genetic
Diversity. Harvard, 10 Aug. 2015, sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2015/
challenging-evolution-how-gmos-can-influence-genetic-diversity/. Accessed 2
Apr. 2017.
Newman, Caroline. Largest-Ever Study Reveals Environmental Impact of
Genetically Modified Crops. Virgina University, 14 Sept. 2016,
www.news.virginia.edu/content/
largest-ever-study-reveals-environmental-impact-genetically-modified-crops.
Accessed 2 Apr. 2017.
Norris, Megan L. Will GMOs Hurt My Body? The Publics Concerns and How
Scientists Have Addressed Them. Harvard, 10 Aug. 2015,
sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2015/will-gmos-hurt-my-body/. Accessed 2 Apr.
2017.
Pollack, Andrew. Genes From Engineered Grass Spread for Miles, Study Finds.
New York Times, 21 Sept. 2004, www.nytimes.com/2004/09/21/business/
genes-from-engineered-grass-spread-for-miles-study-finds.html?_r=0.
Accessed 2 Apr. 2017.
Restrictions on Genetically Modified Organisms: United States. Library of
Congress, 9 June 2015, www.loc.gov/law/help/restrictions-on-gmos/
usa.php. Accessed 2 Apr. 2017.
Skwarecki, Beth. What Is a Gene Pool. Study.com, 2017, study.com/academy/
lesson/what-is-a-gene-pool-definition-example-quiz.html. Accessed 2 Apr.
2017.
UCSC. Genetically Modified Foods, 2005, classes.soe.ucsc.edu/cmpe080e/Spring05/
projects/gmo/negative.htm. Accessed 2 Apr. 2017.
 Zo Abramson
Green Group
Critical Thinking Paper, GMOs

Annotated Bibliography

"Dangers to the Environment." Institute for Responsible Technology, Word Press,

responsibletechnology.org/gmo-education/dangers-to-the-environment/.
Accessed 2 Apr. 2017.
This source was very helpful to my overall understanding of the issues with GMOs. It gave very
good specific reasons and examples of when GMOs have been found to harm humans. I will use it in my
paper to show specific examples why GMOs are bad for humans.

Ferdman, Roberto A. "Why were so scared of GMOs, according to someone who has
studied them since the start." The Washington Post, 6 July 2015,
www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/07/06/
why-people-are-so-scared-of-gmos-according-to-someone-who-has-studied-the-fear-si
nce-the-start/?utm_term=.607e8326b701. Accessed 2 Apr. 2017.
This article helped to explain many different points of views on GMOs. It really helps to explain
why many ordinary people are afraid of GMOs without knowing anything about them. It helps me
understand what regulations and labeling the population would want to have.

"Genetically Modified Foods." American Academy of Environmental Medicine, AAEM,

2015, www.aaemonline.org/gmo.php. Accessed 2 Apr. 2017.
This source explained many tests that were done to show how the negative effects of GMOs. It
helped me understand how many of the scientific tests were done. I can use this in my paper to help me
explain to others how testing works.

Gibbons, Ann. "Potato Famine Pathogens DNA Sequenced, Solving Scientific

Mystery after 168 Years." Huffington Post, 23 May 2013,
www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/23/
potato-famine-pathogen-dna-sequenced-mystery_n_3320547.html. Accessed 2
Apr. 2017.
This source just gave me a very specific example of one point when the gene pool was effected
and their were negative impacts. I can use quotes from here to give the reader a real life example of when
things did happen. It can provide a reliable example. It talked about how the gene pool effected the potato
famine.

Glass, Emily. "The Environmental Impact of GMOs." One Green Planet, 2 Aug. 2013,
www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/the-environmental-impact-of-gmos/.
Accessed 2 Apr. 2017.
This source talked about how GMOs can contaminate wildly grown plants. It also talks about
how pollinating animals will be greatly affected by the toxic levels in GMOs. I can paraphrase or use
quotes to help strengthen my argument about the negative environmental impacts.

"GMO Education." Instituted for Responsible Technology, Word Press,

responsibletechnology.org/gmo-education/. Accessed 2 Apr. 2017.
This source wont be used as any quotes in my paper but I could possibly use it to paraphrase. It
just gives good background information for someone who doesnt have that much background
information on GMOs. It just told me what exactly they were and how they were created. It allowed me to
understand how there could be these impacts on people and the environment.
"Health Risks." Institute for Responsible Technology, Word Press,
 Zo Abramson
Green Group
Critical Thinking Paper, GMOs

responsibletechnology.org/gmo-education/health-risks/#11. Accessed 2 Apr.

2017.
This isnt a primary source but still gives very good details. It gives specific reports on health
issues. The site links me to other primary sources, but still simplifies the information. Many primary
sources have very complex information, but this source is much easier to understand.
"Interview with Dr Thierry Vrain, GMO whistleblower." GM watch, 3 Oct. 2013,
www.gmwatch.org/news/archive/2013/
15096-interview-with-dr-thierry-vrain-gmo-whistleblower. Accessed 2 Apr.
2017.
This interview was very helpful because it was an interview with an expert on the topic of GMOs.
It helped me understand the reasons that an expert would want to switch from being a supporter of GMOs
to being anti GMOs. I can use this for quotes. It is a primary source so it is a reliable source.
Landry, Heather. "Challenging Evolution: How GMOs Can Influence Genetic
Diversity." Harvard, 10 Aug. 2015, sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2015/
challenging-evolution-how-gmos-can-influence-genetic-diversity/. Accessed 2
Apr. 2017.
This source was one of the most helpful that I have come across. It very clearly explains many
different aspects of genetic diversity. It explains what genetic diversity is and how GMOs affect it. I can
use it for paraphrasing.
Newman, Caroline. "Largest-Ever Study Reveals Environmental Impact of
Genetically Modified Crops." Virgina University, 14 Sept. 2016,
www.news.virginia.edu/content/
largest-ever-study-reveals-environmental-impact-genetically-modified-crops.
Accessed 2 Apr. 2017.
This article outlined a study that was done assessing the environmental impact of GMOs. It also
provides quotes from many experts with their reactions on the study findings. The results found that the
GMOs caused an increased use of pesticides. The experts that were quoted seemed worried about the
possible effects on the environment.

Norris, Megan L. "Will GMOs Hurt My Body? The Publics Concerns and How
Scientists Have Addressed Them." Harvard, 10 Aug. 2015,
sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2015/will-gmos-hurt-my-body/. Accessed 2 Apr.
2017.
This source was mainly about how GMOs arent bad for human health. When is provided a
counter argument it talked about a study that was done by the IRT. I was able to use that study as a reason
why GMOs are bad for human health.

Pollack, Andrew. "Genes From Engineered Grass Spread for Miles, Study Finds."
New York Times, 21 Sept. 2004, www.nytimes.com/2004/09/21/business/
genes-from-engineered-grass-spread-for-miles-study-finds.html?_r=0.
Accessed 2 Apr. 2017.
"Restrictions on Genetically Modified Organisms: United States." Library of
Congress, 9 June 2015, www.loc.gov/law/help/restrictions-on-gmos/
usa.php. Accessed 2 Apr. 2017.
This was also one of the most helpful sources that I found. It was the only source that I could find
that would explain the current regulation regarding GMOs. I found that there are no specific regulation
regarding GMOs. This source is very reliable because it is made by the library of congress.

Skwarecki, Beth. "What Is a Gene Pool." Study.com, 2017, study.com/academy/

lesson/what-is-a-gene-pool-definition-example-quiz.html. Accessed 2 Apr.
2017.
 Zo Abramson
Green Group
Critical Thinking Paper, GMOs

This was a very asic source. It was meant for kids that were much younger. This source just gave
me the most basic definition of what a gene pool is. This just allowed me to understand my third
argument much better.
"UCSC." Genetically Modified Foods, 2005, classes.soe.ucsc.edu/cmpe080e/Spring05/
projects/gmo/negative.htm. Accessed 2 Apr. 2017.
This source gave extremely specific information regarding different types of GMOs. It explained
a few types of GMOs and what their purpose was. This gave me a better understanding of why their are
issues with GMOs. It showed that GMOs are being used in unintended situations.

Walia, Arjun. "10 Scientific Studies Proving GMOs Can Be Harmful To Human
Health." Collective Evolution, 8 Apr. 2014, www.collective-evolution.com/
2014/04/08/10-scientific-studies-proving-gmos-can-be-harmful-to-human-health/.
Accessed 2 Apr. 2017.
This source was very hard to understand because it had lots of scientific language.
Though it was difficult to understand it did give me great background and evidence showing the
truth behind effects of GMOs on the health of humans. This source is reliable because it cites
actual studies that have been done.