A genetically engineered salmon behind a non-transgenic Atlantic salmon sibling of the same age Courtesy of AquaBounty Technologies
According to a recent survey, Americans aren’t convinced that genetically modified fish is a safe bet.
A national survey of over 3,000 people conducted for NPR by Thomson Reuters in October about consumers attitudes towards GMO foods showed that only 25 % of Americans understand what GM foods are and only 21 % feel that these foods are safe. A whopping 64 % are uncertain.
If that doesn’t show that the issue is murky at best, try this. The government says we don’t need special labels to help identify genetically modified foods from traditionally raised types. So unless we do some solid homework (and even then), we won’t know which we’re eating.
The FDA says there’s no real difference between GM foods and “regular”. Environmentalists loudly decry that there’s insufficient study to know what the real impact on humans will be. Consumers are left somewhere in the middle to fend for themselves.
So what are consumers to do?
The best choice is to get knowledgable on the issue. Did you know for instance that approximately 70 % of foods found in grocery stores contain at least some genetically modified ingredients? And we’re none the wiser.
Don’t be afraid to speak up. The power of one voice has, over the course of our history, achieved amazing results. European countries have banned GM foods and Australia is close to adopting labeling for GM foods. If consumers take on the issue, perhaps we can as well.
Filed under: Food Safety Tagged: | environmentalists, FDA, genetically modified, NPR, Thomson Reuters
