This house believes that GM crops are safe and GMOs should not be labeled

Background Introduction Since the beginning of agriculture, humans have exploited and altered the genetic information in plants and animals to create new biological variations through artificial selection and crossbreeding. The main difference between genetic engineering and traditional breeding methods is that genetic engineering allows for us to isolate, copy, turn on, and introduce genes into other organisms. This is done by identifying the gene of interests, isolating that trait, inserting that trait into the desired organism, and then propagating that organism. (Powell, 2015) The Safety of GMOs There Exists a Scientific Consensus Although a scientific consensus does not in of itself prove the safety of GMOs, understanding the scientific consensus helps us to understand where the scientific evidence actually leads. The science is clear not because of the consensus, but rather a consensus exists because the evidence is clear. The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) made the following statement: “There are several current efforts to require labeling of foods containing products derived from genetically modified crop plants, commonly known as GM crops or GMOs. These efforts are not driven by evidence that GM foods are actually dangerous. Indeed, the science is quite clear: crop improvement by the modern molecular techniques of biotechnology is safe. Rather, these initiatives are driven by a variety of factors, ranging from the persistent perception that such foods are somehow “unnatural” and potentially dangerous to the desire to gain competitive advantage by legislating attachment of a label meant to alarm. Another misconception used as a rationale for labeling is that GM crops are untested. ” The EU, for example, has invested more than €300 million in research on the biosafety of GMOs. Its recent report states: “The main conclusion to be drawn from the efforts of more than 130 research projects, covering a period of more than 25 years of research and involving more than 500 independent research groups, is that biotechnology, and in particular GMOs, are not per se more risky than e. g. conventional plant breeding technologies. ” The World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, the U. S. National Academy of Sciences, the British Royal Society, and every other respected organization that has examined the evidence has come to the same conclusion: consuming foods containing ingredients derived from GM crops is no riskier than consuming the same foods containing ingredients from crop plants modified by conventional plant improvement techniques. ” (AAAS, 2012) GMO Impacts on Our Health In spite of the scientific consensus, many consumers still are concerned about the impacts of GMOs and our health. Among these concerns are GMOs link to cancer, long-term impacts of consuming GMO foods, and the impact on pregnancy and offspring. Can GMOs Cause Cancer? In 2012, Gilles-Eric Séralini published a study in the Food and Chemical Toxicology journal studying the impacts on feeding GMOs to rats. Séralini's team had found that rats fed for two years with a glyphosate-resistant type of maize (corn) made by Monsanto developed many more tumours and died earlier than did control animals. It also found that the rats developed tumours when Roundup was added to their drinking water. (Séralini, 2014) This study reignited fears of GMO foods and debate on labeling. However, the study was retracted in 2013 because the study was highly flawed. Séralini used rats that were highly prone to developing tumors and cancer. Christopehr Preston notes: “The sample sizes are too small, and there are too many treatments and not enough controls. The wrong breed of rat is used. As it is prone to high numbers of tumours, there is going to be a lot of noise and not enough statistical power. There is no dose response, i. e. they were just measuring noise. There are ethical issues with the treatment of the rats. ” To date, there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that GMOs cause cancer. Megan L. Norris notes that: "After more than 20 years of monitoring by countries and researchers around the world, many of the suspicions surrounding the effects of GMOs on organ health, our offspring, and our DNA have been addressed and tested (Figure 1). In the data discussed above, alongside many more studies not mentioned here, GMOs have been found to exhibit no toxicity, in one generation or across many. Though each new product will require careful analysis and assessment of safety, it appears that GMOs as a class are no more likely to be harmful than traditionally bred and grown food sources. " (Norris, 2015) Labeling GMOs Why oppose GMO labeling if the science is so clear? For one, genetic modification is a process, not an ingredient. Here is how a GMO is made (Powell, 2015) Furthermore, genetic modification is complex and are not homogenous. Take, for example, the following table adapted from the FDA's biotechnology varieties. (FDA, n. d. ) As we can see from the table, simply labeling something as GMO or not-GMO simply does not convey enough information. Conclusion Every respected scientific body consents to the safety of GMOs. GE crops and foods are rigorously tested for safety. GE crops have been in the country for more than 30 years with no evidence of adverse effects. Genetic modification is a process, not an ingredient. Our policies should be based on facts, not fear. There is no reason to label GMOs. The resolution is affirmed. Bibliography American Association for the Advancement of Science. (2012, October 20). Statement by the AAAS Board of Directors On Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods. Retrieved May 30, 2016, from American Association for the Advancement of Science: . http://www.aaas.org... “Biotechnology Consultations on Food from GE Plant Varieties. ” Biotechnology Consultations on Food from GE Plant Varieties. FDA, 30 June 2015. . http://www.accessdata.fda.gov... Genetic Literacy Project. (2014, June 14). Scientists react to republished Séralini GMO maize rat study . Retrieved from Genetic Literacy Project: . https://www.geneticliteracyproject.org... Norris, L. (2015, August 10). Will GMOs Hurt My Body? The Public’s Concerns and How Scientists Have Addressed Them. Retrieved May 2016, 30, from Harvard University: The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences: . http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu... Powell, C. (2015, August 09). How to Make a GMO. Retrieved May 2016, 30, from Harvard University: The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences: . http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu... Séralini, G. -E. (2014, June 22). Republished study: long-term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerantgenetically modified maize. Environmental Sciences Europe.