"Genetically modified foods are derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) with deliberately altered genes and genetic sequences. As of 2011, the vast majority of genetically modified foods are plants, and the majority of political struggles over GMOs relate to the planting and use of GMO crops. However, experts predict an increasing level of debate over the use of genetically modified animals."
Food in Context
Ed. Brenda Wilmoth Lerner and K. Lee Lerner. Vol. 1. In Context Series Detroit: Gale, 2011. p416-421. COPYRIGHT 2011 Gale, Cengage Learning Philip McIntosh
"The extraordinary size of the food enterprise and the vast sums at stake readily explain the ferocity of debates about dietary advice to the public, health claims on food package labels, regulations for meat safety, nutritional requirements for school meals, and labeling of genetically modified foods, to cite just a few examples. Debates over such issues derive from the disparate interests of the principal stakeholders in the food system, including the food industry and the consuming public of course but also government regulators, public health officials, and nutrition researchers and educators. Because all stakeholders should benefit from a food supply that is adequate, healthful, safe, environmentally sound, culturally appropriate, affordable, and delicious, the interests of these groups might appear to be congruent. The food industry, however, has an additional and compelling interest—to sell products. The conflict between the commercial interests of food companies and the widely varying concerns of other stakeholders is a principal reason why food issues are so controversial."
Encyclopedia of Food and Culture
Ed. Solomon H. Katz. Vol. 1. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2003. p689-691. COPYRIGHT 2003 Charles Scribner's Sons, COPYRIGHT 2006 Gale Marion Nestle
"Experts disagree about whether food is safer today than it was in the past, but they agree that ensuring safe food has become more complex than at any other point in history. Although we have solved many of the food safety challenges of the past, new problems have developed. We farm, live, and eat differently than we did in the past, and this creates new niches for food-borne illnesses to occupy. In addition, there are other potential threats such as food additives, pesticides, hormones in milk and cattle, overuse of antibiotics in farm animals, genetically engineered plants, and risks associated with bioterrorism."
Encyclopedia of Contemporary American Social Issues
Ed. Michael Shally-Jensen. Vol. 4: Environment, Science, and Technology. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2011. p1413-1431. COPYRIGHT 2011 ABC-CLIO, LLC Nina Redman
