Think back to the last meal you consumed; now think about how much of the food you consumed was genetically modified (GM). About 80% of today's processed foods contain genetically modified organisms, otherwise known as GMOs. (Hemphill, Sjagnik). If you've never wondered where the food you consume every day comes from, it's time to start asking questions. A genetically modified organism is a new version of a plant or animal created by altering genes using biotechnology ("What is a GMO?"). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Today, more than 40 types of plants have been genetically modified and are on the market for purchase (Net). An astonishing 90% of canola, 88% of corn, and 94% of soybeans are GMO (“What is a GMO?”). The FDA says that GMOs are nothing to worry about and that it is perfectly healthy to consume artificially produced food. From their point of view, genetically modified plants are just as safe and tested in the same way as traditionally grown plants (“US Food and Drug Administration”). The FDA leaves the safety testing to the companies that produce GMOs, yet the tests hide the stark facts of the dangers, so they can profit from consumers. On the other hand, independent research not sponsored by these corrupt companies verifies that GMOs in foods are not as safe as certified organic foods. GMOs have been shown to cause cancer, harm the environment, and induce numerous other health problems (“The Truth About GMOs”). Banning GMOs would create a cleaner world to live in, without having to worry about what the food you eat is made of. While a ban may not be possible in the near future due to large companies profiting from GMOs, product labeling should be a requirement so that consumers can choose whether or not they want genetically modified foods. So why are GMOs so harmful? For starters, the FDA does not administer studies on the safety of genetically modified foods; they leave it to the companies that produce them. The companies that create them, however, want to earn money in the simplest way possible, so their results do not present any signs of "danger". Independent animal research not associated with these companies shows health risks from GMOs that include infertility, immune system problems, gastrointestinal problems, organ changes and very large tumors (GMO GMOs). If you are happy to eat food that can cause all these complications, then you approve of genetic modification. The dangers go far beyond health risks: GMOs also endanger the environment, food safety and the agricultural system. Spraying crops with excessive amounts of herbicides can pollute the soil, water and contaminate our food. Basically, the only people who benefit from genetically modified foods are the companies that produce them. If they don't reveal their studies to consumers who simply want to know what they're eating, then there must be something worth hiding. ("Going Against GMOs"). Labeling genetically modified foods is the first step towards banning them. Not enough people, especially in the United States, are informed about the dangers of GMOs. Laws banning the use of these types of foods are not uncommon, in fact over 64 countries around the world have banned their use (Faber). There is no plausible reason why GMOs should not be banned, or at least labeled. . Change food labels to demonstrate thatwhether or not they contain GMOs will not cause prices to rise, nor will it push companies to spend more money to produce labels. Companies like General Mills constantly change labels and the price of products remains the same (Faber). Adding labels would make consumers who are wary of eating products that contain GMOs feel much safer. Labeling products to show that they contain GMOs would make big companies lose money, so they try to push any law in favor of labeling away (Faber). Some argue that without the use of biotechnology there would not be enough food for everyone. However, producing non-GM crops in Western European countries is just as effective as growing GM crops in the United States. Other studies conducted in parts of Africa conclude that using traditional techniques improved labor production by 30% more than the genetically modified crop method (Cassidy). Today we produce enough food to feed 14 billion people, for a population of 7 billion (GMO). OH MY GOD). There are numerous examples of the dangers that the introduction of GMOs into food can cause, but the industries that produce genetically modified seeds prevent any change. The largest seed company in the world that produces and sells genetically modified seeds is Monsanto. This company produces seeds that resist herbicides and herbicides, using biotechnology. After the seeds are planted and grown, the food is then genetically modified. Most of the 27% of genetically modified crops produced in the world come from farmers using their seeds (Kimbrell). There are many unusual factors in the way Monsanto runs its company. To begin with, they ask each farmer to sign a detailed contract stipulating that they must buy back new seeds after one year. It is clear that Monsanto only wants to make money by making farmers buy seeds even if they no longer need them (GMO GMO). Citizens who try to take action against GMOs by developing laws to label them are blocked by lobbyists that Monsanto pays. The company spends an average of six billion dollars on lobbying every year. (Sarich). If GMOs are as safe as Monsanto and other companies like them claim, then why are they afraid to label food products? After the earthquake that hit Haiti in 2010, Monsanto donated 475 tons of seeds to Haitian farmers as a way to “help” them during this devastating time (Greenhalgh). Naturally produced seeds are important to the people of Haiti; and for this reason they protested and committed to burning the entire donation. Coming from the people of the poorest country in the world, this protest should say something about the ethics of GMOs (GMO, GMO). If the people of Haiti do not accept the plethora of genetically modified seeds given to them in the most desperate times, then why do Americans consume food derived from these seeds at almost every meal? In the words of Chavannes Jean-Baptiste; The leader of the Papay Peasant Movement: “Monsanto's goal is to make money, not the quality of the food people eat. Their goal is not to protect life or protect the environment. When people like me say that these types of seeds are poisonous and destroy the life of the earth and the life of people, that's when I attack Monsanto's interests. They say they have a gift for you, it's a gift to kill you; because for us the seed is something sacred." (GMO OMG) The Papay Peasant Movement should be a source of inspiration to people all over the world. The Haitians had some barley left after an earthquake wiped out all of theirs, 3, 293-312.