Food Labelling Constitutes Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Food Labelling Constitutes - Term Paper Example The potential impact of GM foods on human health is a source of serious ethical concerns.   In two independent reports, Eubanks (2002) and Cherry (2007) contend that the very nature of their production positions GM foods as a potential risk to the health and well-being of consumers.   GM foods are foods which contain herbicides, transgress the species barriers and involve such genetic modifications as which alter taste, texture and nutrient composition.   The implication here is, as both Eubanks (2002) and Cherry (2007) emphasize, is that genetic alterations imply that these foods contain composites which may produce severe allergic reactions among some consumers but, to the extent that they are largely untested, or novel, their effect is unknown.   Added to that, the long-term consequences of consuming GM foods is unknown and, indeed, scientists have not been able to conclude absolute long-term safety, beyond the shadow of a doubt (Eubanks, 2002; Cherry, 2007).   The impli cation here is that consumers are being offered biotechnical foods whose long-term health effects have not been fully studied. While conceding to the fact that GM foods are genetically altered, its proponents/producers maintain that alterations are, not only benign but, ultimately beneficial for consumers.   As West and Larue (2005) report, producers contend that these benefits include the means and technologies by which to improve production efficiency and maximize output, even while lowering costs and hence, price to consumers.   They further include the altering of the nutritional balance of foods in order to skew the said balance in favor of health-beneficial nutrients (West and Larue, 2005).   In other words, from the perspective of GM food producers, there should be no ethical controversies surrounding GM foods as they are produced with the welfare of the consumer in mind. Even while conceding to the fact that GM foods may very well be safe, the fact remains that legal and ethical principles dictate that such foods must be labeled, thereby allowing consumers to exercise their right to choose.