THE GMO DEBATE

Dear Mr. Edwards,

My interest in the uses and effects of genetically modified organisms has led to me finding your article “GMO Facts and Arguments” in the Organic Lifestyle Magazine about some of the arguments made against the uses of GMOs. From your article, I understand that you feel that GMOs are unsafe and that there are many apparent issues with the uses of GMOs. I have read many articles about this topic and acknowledge the arguments of both sides. I feel that we should put in more of an effort to find a way to minimize the negative impacts from the use of GMOs.

In your article, you addressed multiple problems with the uses of GMOs. Many of your concerns seem to tie in to the topic of safety. You feel that glyphosate is one of the major causes of deteriorating health in America. You also referenced a study conducted by Dr. Oraby, which noted that in just three months there were a surprising number of dead and unhealthy rats from the consumption of GMOs. However, you do acknowledge the fact that these rats were strictly eating GMOs, which is something humans do not do. Since we don’t, these effects may not occur. You also reference many other issues related to the use of GMOs. Some of which are that they produce inferior yields, have poor disease resistance, and that they kill many beneficial insects such as bees, lacewings, swallowtails, and monarch butterflies from increasing uses of pesticides. You also believe that the use of GMOs violates our human rights to know and control what we put in our bodies.

I agree with you that there are plenty of problems related to the uses of GMOs that need to be solved. Some of which are the effects on humans as well as our environment. I understand that there are negative repercussions on our health in addition to the health of animals. Our health should be among our highest priorities when it comes to the use of GMOs. I also agree that everyone has the right to know and control what he or she is consuming.

However, there are some parts of your argument that I do not agree with. One point that I do not agree with you about is the use of pesticides. I believe that the use of pesticides has actually helped to reduce the amount of pesticides that are being used on our environment. I also believe that the use of genetically modified organism has helped to improve crop yields, which can be proved with statistical evidence from various countries. In addition, GMOs have helped to make some advances in medicine. Genetically modified “golden rice” has the ability to help treat people that are blind. Golden Rice is a genetically modified version of rice that contains high amounts of Vitamin A. GMOs also have the potential to treat and prevent allergies.

Overall, I feel that there are both positives and negatives from the uses of genetically modified organisms. I understand where you come from when you say that there are many health concerns and other issued from the use of GMOs. Nevertheless, there are still many beneficial effects that we get from the uses of GMOs. In the end, many of the things that are used in our society can be seen as unsafe but are still used and GMOs will continue to be one of them.