"GMO; Healthy for Who?" Revised

Many consumers are unaware of the genetically modified foods they ingest, the health risks that accompany them, and ways to avoid such foods in their daily meal plans.  It is the large food corporations that manipulate state legislation to adhere to their wanted standards rather than the consumer when it comes to these GMO foods.  

The leading example of corporate manipulation is the large controversy over labeling foods that contain GMO products.  Currently there are no states that require such labeling, but that is not for lack of effort as demonstrated by the on going battle in California for the passing of Proposition 37.

It is my greatest hope; not only as a consumer, but also as a developing health professional to propose a change in the way the manufactures and distributers of our food supply control us consumers.  I firmly believe that there is a given right to free selection regarding the foods in which consumers have to choose from.  In that inherent right is the obligation of food production to be focused on the greater health of the very consumers in which it nourishes. 

Through this hope; my web text will display the harms, ethical oversights, and importance of factual food labeling to the consumer regarding GMO foods.  I will accomplish this with science based research and today's major food corporation policies that demonstrate a clear disregard for consumer health.  

The primary audience I hope to reach is as many consumers as possible.  Realistically, however, my goal for this web text is to give the consumers of Purdue Calumet University a place to voice their options and concerns allowing for a professional forum to make those voices be heard.  Perhaps even possibly make a significant change in the way local NW Indiana consumers view the foods they are eating.  

Website Source

Bryne, P.  (2010, September) .  Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods.

   www.ext.colostate.edu. Retrieved from  

   http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09371.html#top


Summary:  The primary purpose for this web article is to display current labeling requirements by the FDA regarding genetically engineered foods (GE foods) and the pros/cons of the proposed idea for required labeling of all GE foods.

Assess:  This web article gives information on what the current requirements are on GE food labeling.  The author, P,Bryne, gives solid references that allow the reader to traverse to the FDA website that explains the regulations he has displayed in his web article.  The web page itself is set up for ease of information and allows any reader to understand what the FDA mandates on consumer food labels with respect to GE content.  The author also demonstrates, with little bias, the pros and cons of labeling GE foods for both the consumer and the food manufacturer.  Furthermore, the currency of this article is shown on the bottom left of the web page and reflects that it was last updated Aug 3, 2012 which demonstrated the author has kept up with current changes since his publication date of September, 2010.  Lastly, the author clearly marks his credentials at the bottom of the website demonstrating his expertise on this particular topic.  This openness by the author creates an authoritative overview regarding the GE food labeling proposition and give a certain credibility to his article.

Reflect:  This web article, as well as the website it is attached too, will provide me expert based information that I will gladly apply to my research for GE food labeling.  It gives cut and dry information that will be easily summarized and applied to better my web text.  With it's current content and hyper links leading me to oficial government based websites I will find a plethora of information to use.


Lisa J, Bunin,  Ph.D.  (2012, July) .  What's in a Label?  www.centerforfoodsafety.org. Retrieved

   from http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/organic-fact-sheet-2.pdf


Summary:  The idea behind this web article is to demonstrate the way in which food manufacturers use words such as "all natural" or "natural" on a food label to draw the consumer in for a sale.  These words are misleading to consumers because the "all natural" ingredients that are said to be used to create the products are in fact not regulated by the USDA, or the FDA.  In short there is no way to know wether the food labeled "100% natural" is truly made with all natural ingredients.  The author of this article, Lisa J, Bunin, Ph.D, is trying to show consumers that the policies of marketing used by major food producers are aimed at money making rather honest healthy products.  This in turn makes it more difficult for the consumer to purchased wholesome organic food when they think they are purchasing wholesome "natural" food.

Assess:  The first thing to catch my attention about this article was the current date in which is was published.  Aside from that, I was a bit concerned over the ".org" portion of this web article.  Mainly because I understand that this website displays a biased motive aimed at making food corporations to look negative in the public eye.  Through out this article I did find a heavy bias tone playing against the policies used by food producers, however, because of that bias I am hesitant to take this information to heart (completely any ways).  Additionally, in this article the author seem to use her Ph.D status and affiliation with the Center for Food Safety organization to propel her argument rather cited facts and sources that I can continue researching on my own.  Its almost as if the author has created a trap for the reader in which you either believe what she says, or you believe what she says.  Branching out to the broader website the article was found in, I noticed clearly displays "take action" buttons and "hot topic" side bars that excite the reader into taking a stand again the evil corporations that are taking over the food supply.  Now, this is not to say that there was not some legitimate information given by this article (or the website for that matter),  but more that this article needs to be taken with a grain of salt and some more cross referencing to verify the "facts" that were given may be needed.

Reflect:  The information I have gathered from this web article may be one I use as a cross reference from another credible source, but I will most likely not use this article as a stand alone source for my web text.  I find the bias motive and lack of citing, or sources to be to much to over look.

Topic Definition Statement

"GMO labeling: necessary or redundant?"

Many consumers are unaware of the genetically modified foods they ingest, the health risks that accompany them, and ways to avoid such foods in their daily meal plans.  It is the large corporations that manipulate state legislation to adhere to their wanted standards rather than the consumer when it comes to these GMO foods.  The leading example of this is the large controversy over labeling foods that contain GMO products.  Currently there are no states that require such labeling, but that is not for lack of effort as demonstrated by the on going battle in California for the passing of Proposition 37.

My web text will display the harms, ethical oversights, and importance of factual food labeling to the consumer regarding GMO foods.  I will accomplish this with science based research and today's major food corporation policies that demonstrate a clear disregard for consumer health.

Key question: Should foods containing GMO products be labeled for the consumers?

Sub-question: Are the policies currently in place by food manufacturers geared towards the health of the consumer?  How can the consumer influence leading food manufacturers?

"Using A Topic To Generate Questions"

As mentioned with in my overview, my connection to my selected topic of GMO's is a personal one.  It is a personal quest to maintain my body in as healthy of a state as I am able.  On another level I want to educate everyone that I can on oh how to do the very same for themselves.  It is important to me that we begin to evolve in a healthier way so that our race can provide sustainable life rather than destroy the fragile ecosystems around us.  

Initial Topic Question: What is genetically modifying our food system doing to us?

1. Why is our food system being genetically modified?
2. How is our food system being genetically modified?
3. What known affects do GMOs have on human health?
4. Is genetic modifications to food negatively affecting the natural functions of surrounding ecosystems?
5. What common foods are being genetically modified?
6. How do you avoid GMO foods?

GMO Food: Healthy For Who?

    The topic I have decided to research this semester is on Genetically Modified Foods (GMO's).  I have decided on this topic for many reason, but specifically  because for as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a Registered Dietitian.  To promote health and educate the masses on how to live an active, long, and healthy life style is my deepest passion.  It has been through this passion that I continuously educate myself resulting in ever growing opinions on the topic in question.

   However, it was recently that I discovered the very companies (Monsanto, General Mills, Kellogs, Pepsico, Coca Cola, Soyjoy, etc) I vowed to work against are the same companies that sponsor the organization (American Dietetic Association/eatright.org) in which i must traverse through to reach the first stage of my goal; becoming a registered dietitian.  It is through this new understanding and deep animosity at such a blow to my passions that I have begun a new journey.  One in which I will find new methods to gain credibility so that I can educate consumers about the true dangers of biotechnology and our food supply.  

   As I begin this new journey, I must admit I am no expert yet.  There is a lot of information and research I must complete in my efforts to fully demonstrate the harm our food supply is causing us as consumers.  With that in mind, I would like to begin my research with three basic topics; What are GMO's?  What are the pro's and con's of utilizing and consuming these  GMO food products?  What are the alternatives to GMO products?  Additionally I would also like to touch on the effect GMO food production has on the surrounding ecosystem we reside in today.   

   The importance of this topic stretches the large span of consumers.  As humans, what we place into our bodies is directly connected to the overall health in which we experience on a day to day basis.  It is extremely important to understand, much less even know, the harmful potential under tested chemical and biologically engineered products has on the fragile homeostasis our body needs to maintain.  Simply put, consumers need to be educated on what they are eating and to be afforded a choice in what types of food they should eat.