Background

There are several issues involved in the debate over whether or not Genetically Engineered (GE) foods should be allowed, and especially allowed for human consumption. * First is the issue of environmental safety. There is the fear that the genetically modified crops with genes added to them from other plants or animals could get into the environment and cause some unforeseen damage as a result. * Second is the issue of consumer protection and rights. Should all GE foods be labeled as such is an important question because it effects whether or not the production of these crops will be financially viable. It is possible that some people may have an allergic reaction to certain foods if the genes spliced into them produce allergens. * Third is the issue of intellectual property rights; should a company be allowed to copyright a scientifically made hybrid species?

Debate

• The main debate is whether or not foods that have the potential to be a risk in that they may harm the environment and may have unforeseen consequences as a result of adding genes not necessarily found in a particular habitat. There is always the issue of whether or not the public is actually safe when they consume GE foods, and although studies have shown that there is little risk of anyone having a bad reaction to such products, skeptics remain about the degree of testing that has occurred.
• All of these issues must be weighed against the fact that GE foods offer the potential to increase food production worldwide; that is, in a world with ever-increasing numbers of mouths to feed.

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