Have you ever wondered why eating healthy foods is so much more expensive then the not-so-healthy counter choices that are available? Sure food in general is cheaper now than it has ever been, but with getting lower prices we are also giving up lots of the foods’ nutritional value. In today’s society, scientists have done amazing things through the development of synthetic vitamins and nutrients that can only be found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Nowadays these synthetic vitamins are commonly found in GMO products, specifically corn. The US government has had such a high influence in the production of corn and in extremely large quantities. Everyone has heard of high fructose corn syrup (hfcs), which is in basically every processed food. The reason for this huge increase in the production of hfcs is because of how drastic the population in America has increased. Because of this population increase and the continually decreasing number of farmers in America, those that are still farming need to be much more efficient then years past to keep up with the high demands. In order to be more efficient, farmers need to genetically modify the foods to be resistant to pesticides and herbicides to keep labor costs down (spraying fields for weeds rather than picking the weeds out). Because of the modifying to the foods genetic structure scientists take the opportunity to add in additional synthetic nutrients to make the food more abundant in nutrition. The reason to all this isn’t the farmers or the governments fault. Granted they are still the ones producing and controlling the production of these foods, it is up to the consumer whether or not they will continue to buy and demand these foods that are full of GMO’s and synthetic nutrients. Yes they are cheaper, but is it really worth it?
by David Alsept (9AM) Have you ever wondered why eating healthy foods is so much more expensive then the not-so-healthy counter choices that are available? Sure food in general is cheaper now than it has ever been, but with getting lower prices we are also giving up lots of the foods’ nutritional value. In today’s society, scientists have done amazing things through the development of synthetic vitamins and nutrients that can only be found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Nowadays these synthetic vitamins are commonly found in GMO products, specifically corn. The US government has had such a high influence in the production of corn and in extremely large quantities. Everyone has heard of high fructose corn syrup (hfcs), which is in basically every processed food. The reason for this huge increase in the production of hfcs is because of how drastic the population in America has increased. Because of this population increase and the continually decreasing number of farmers in America, those that are still farming need to be much more efficient then years past to keep up with the high demands. In order to be more efficient, farmers need to genetically modify the foods to be resistant to pesticides and herbicides to keep labor costs down (spraying fields for weeds rather than picking the weeds out). Because of the modifying to the foods genetic structure scientists take the opportunity to add in additional synthetic nutrients to make the food more abundant in nutrition. The reason to all this isn’t the farmers or the governments fault. Granted they are still the ones producing and controlling the production of these foods, it is up to the consumer whether or not they will continue to buy and demand these foods that are full of GMO’s and synthetic nutrients. Yes they are cheaper, but is it really worth it?
16 Comments
Connor Griffin
3/27/2014 03:41:43 pm
I think that people aren't fully aware of what genetically processed foods can do to their body. It's clear that they are "unhealthy", but how exactly is it going to affect me as opposed to untampered products? I would like to know benefits I will receive from having foods that aren't genetically modified. I do not think people will change their consuming habits until they are aware of the benefits. Furthermore, these habits will not change, especially if prices are lower. People will not be able to afford untampered food, so I do not see this problem getting better anytime soon.
Reply
Krista Killmer
3/29/2014 06:18:34 am
Videos like these only show how the foods are modified but they do not explain why this genrtically modified food is bad for the people who are consuming it. In order for people to stop buying these foods they need to know what it is doing to their body. If they dont know these bad effects then they will not care that it is genetically modified. Maybe this genetically modified food is worth it if this is the only way we can feed America's growing population. Genetically modified food is better then no food and a starving society.
Reply
Clay Fiscus
3/30/2014 01:20:51 pm
I think that as long as GMO's are still cheaper than organic foods there will always be a large population of people who will buy it for that sole reason. More expensive meats and other products are not always an option for many families. So yes, GMO's are not as healthy as organic foods, but until companies who produce foods organically can compete with the manufacturers of GMO's, there will always be a place for them in our society.
Reply
Sean Mallea
3/31/2014 02:20:41 pm
The adoption of GMO technology can lead to amazing scientific advancements that could save many lives. In many third world countries impoverished people have diseases related to lack of critical vitamins. A GMO corn has been developed that is loaded with micronutrients that combat diseases associated with lack of vitamin A, B, and C9. These disease are usually defeated by having a diverse diet, which includes fruits and vegetables. The poorest people in the world cannot afford this diversity and subsist on a single type of grain. Furthermore GMOs have the ability to reduce pollution by strengthening plants resistance to pests, thereby requiring the use of fewer pesticides. The creation of pesticides requires chemicals, energy, and heavy industry that produce greenhouses gases. Despite the lack of long-term knowledge of GMO’s effects on human health, it would be foolish to stop this process before its total potential is discovered.
Reply
Michael Barclay
4/1/2014 07:25:17 am
I think, just like the video said, what kind of foods we are subsidizing is a big problem. If we instead helped out farmers that we're growing fruits and veggies organically instead of so heavily subsidizing meat this would help a lot. Then a low income family would be more inclined to buy fruit and veggies instead of going somewhere like mcdonalds. Also this would make organic foods and GMO foods a lot more similar in price
Reply
Tim Caudill
4/1/2014 02:46:48 pm
As everyone else has been stating, the general public is overall unaware of many things that society tends to hide from us. Actually, most of things that are commonly not well known to the public, are in fact things that we all have access to know. It just goes to show how much today's society doesn't really care whats harmful to us. Sure, we'll watch videos or read articles about how unhealthy some consumer goods really are and our mind will be changed. However, after about a week or so, we're back into the same habit and eating the same things that we promised ourselves never to consume again just a week before.
Reply
Jimmy Boyle
4/2/2014 04:33:35 am
I am 100% okay with GMO processed foods. They are cheaper and do not have terrible health consequences which i think is better. It seems to me like youd be paying for more for no gain with the food. If the GMO's were very bad then the government would have limited the restriction of them. I would always buy the cheaper foods that are chemicalally enhanced because to me the higher priced foods are not worth the extra dough.
Reply
Maddie Reed
4/2/2014 02:21:33 pm
I am fine with GMO processed foods. With all the starving families in America, not to mention in the rest of the world, it would be nice to supply cheaper foods to those families. As far as I know, GMO studies have not proven anything saying the they are damaging to the body. And I mean, McDondals seems to have more harsh and unhealthy side effects yet the government doesn't regulate that. GMOs also have other benefits than being cheap and I think it is important to research and look deeper into these foods.
Reply
Ben Anderson
4/3/2014 05:29:22 am
I think that more research needs to be done on GMO. The possibilities of genetically engineered food are endless. We can seriously increase how much food is available to the world. However, the current people in charge of genetically modified crops are incredibly concerned with the profit and not the people. Genetic Engineering needs to be used for the greater good and not just for the benefit of a few. GM food could be such a great thing but until it is further researched, their needs to be more restrictions on it.
Reply
Hanna Stockelman
4/3/2014 07:13:28 am
I think it's a tough call when it comes to genetically modified foods. With the increasing population in the United States, we can't just keep increasing the prices of healthy foods just because there isn't a very large supply of it. Too many families are living off of unhealthy foods only because that is the only king of food they can afford. If GMO's provide a cheaper option for those families, it mightn't be such a bad thing. On the other hand, all of the added chemicals in GMOs may have an effect on our overall health, which is another issue altogether. When it come down to it, the choice is between keeping up with the demand of healthy products, and the health concerns that arise from GMOs.
Reply
Bryan Baier
4/3/2014 12:02:02 pm
I feel that this question is very difficult because of the situation that some families live in. Yes GMO's are not the best but they provide food to some families that would other wise go without food. But it would be very nice if more research went into GMO's because it could be improved and with knowledge comes trust.
Reply
Kevin May
4/3/2014 02:44:28 pm
It is arguable whether or not genetically modified foods are bad for you, and for this reason I think that your premise is flawed. There is no proof that they are bad for you, and there is no such thing as a "bad" nutrient, apart from in overdose. Nutrients such as vitamins and minerals are not synthetic? The problem with things like mcdonalds is the process, and that is almost entirely what makes the food more expensive. Mcdonalds has a VERY low quality of meat, meaning high fat percentage and low nutrient because of the process it goes through, whereas natural foods take longer to grow and more work to harvest properly. I would agree that some of the products from fast food are modified, but most modifications are to add nutrients, resist pesticide, and make them grow faster, and the only complication here is the pesticide resistance. There is no research on what is and is not bad for you because it is so new.
Reply
Todd Brady
4/5/2014 06:19:13 am
Not much is known about GMOs and their effects on the body. Until we know what effects they can cause, we should be hesitant to allow them into our food supply. In the US, there is no regulation on labeling GMOs. In other parts of the world, like the entire UN, they have either banned or heavily regulated GMOs in food. I think we have made a mistake in allowing GMOs to take over our food supply before much is known about them.
Reply
Christina Winters
4/5/2014 04:05:03 pm
I agree that the mass amounts of food being produced has led to the overall reduction in the nutritional value of the food, not significantly but enough to take notice of. The thing is though, it's not a matter of underproduction of food; it is a matter of unequal distribution with the US being the biggest culprit of the inequality. The world produces enough food each year to feed 9 billion people, with food to feed animals and such not included in this. This is more than enough to nutritionally feed every person on this planet, yet we still perceive food shortages due to underproduction. This leads to more mass produced food and a rise of GMOs. The issue is not enough food, it is distribution.
Reply
Kurt Holmes
4/7/2014 02:36:43 pm
I feel that if a farmer can make more food for a smaller cost then it is worth it to feed the world. However, I feel that when a companies turns food production into profit and they try to cut corners then it is dangerous for the people eating the food and thus it is not worth it. When it comes to food the important part is that everyone gets fed safely not the money.
Reply
Cindy smith
4/6/2017 05:23:53 pm
Its bad for you becauae GMO food serves zero percent nutritional value. The food is synthetic, like its become tk difficult to grow and plant foods, or to have farms with real cows and to sell their meat. Do you honestly believe that? No of course, we are a generation of lazy, but cmon we arent they lazy. The only reason they are doing this is because only the poor cant afford good food, and by earing shitty food the country will lose more of the poor, to famine, and illness and therefore the wealthy will prevail.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
About the AuthorsI will start posts, but you (students and anyone else who'd like to contribute) will be the main authors of this blog. Archives
March 2014
Categories
All
|