Grow

Gathering Recognition of
Organic Wellness
Authors: Eliza Bunn, Brandon Laitinen,
Meghan Schuette, Chad Rohrbach

Table of Contents
Position3
History.3
Causes..4
Consequences...4
Future5
Proposal..6
Opposition..6
Conclusion.7

Position
Our purpose is to safeguard our nations local farms and encourage the continued
protection of and consumption of organic agriculture.
History
Genetically modified organisms began its foundation in DNA. In 1956, Watson
and Crick published their discovery of the double helix DNA structure. This opened
doors for scientists to take genes from one kind of organism and use them to modify the
genes of another organism. In 1973, a graduate student from Stanford developed an idea
about DNA that was made by man. His professors at the time believed this was
something that could be possible.
At the Asilomar Conference in 1975, guidelines were made to encourage safe use
of genetically engineered DNA. It was not until 1980 that the first GMO patent was

created. It occurred in a court case on genetically modified bacterium that would assist in

the cleaning of oil spills.

The United States Food and Drug Administration approved the first GMO in
1982, this GMO was Humulin, a type of insulin.
Belgium had the first field test of GMOs by creating a plant that genetically
engineered tobacco plants in 1986. The United States participated in the development in
1987 by creating a plant that had genetically modified crops.
The FDA declared that GMOs were not dangerous.
MISSING OTHER PARTIES HAVE DONE TO SOLVE PROBLEM
The main regulation and law on genetically modified organisms is the WTO Law
and Genetically Modified Products. The World Trade Organization (WTO) is often used

as a fundamental organization to restrict developed and developing countries from

banning genetically modified food.
Causes of the Problem
The causes of continued use of genetically modified organisms is very simple; it
simply comes down to money. In any country, money is required to be successful. Due to
this requirement many farmers have resorted to growing genetically modified crops
because it increases the income of the farmer. This also means that they do not want to
take the time to grow organically because of the amount of time it takes and it is more
laborious than growing GMOs.
For many consumers, GMOs are the only way for them to get vegetables on their
table because they are cheaper than organically grown agriculture. However, organically
grown food is worth the price, but we hope to decrease the price of organically grown
agriculture without jeopardizing the increased income of farmers.

Lastly, the oversight on the growth of GMOs is extremely relaxed. They do not
have as many restrictions and regulations on growing crops.

Consequences
In retrospect, genetically modified organisms are said to not have consequences,
because it is still a vegetable with the same nutritional value. However, this may not be
the case. Farmers reported that many of their livestock (cows and pigs) became sterile
after consuming genetically modified corn.
Children are most at risk to the consequences of GMOs. It has been recorded that
food allergies sky rocketed as GMOs became more popular with families who wanted to
buy vegetables at a cheaper price. Reproductive problems are a major concern from the
use of GMOs. Autism has increased in children as GMO production has increased, as
well as digestive problems.

The environmental consequences of GMOs are highly impactful on the future of

the planet. One major issue is that GMOs can contaminate forever, outlasting the effects
of global warming and nuclear waste. There is also major economic loss for farmers who
strive to keep their farms organic or non-gmo, because not only does it cost more there is
also more chance of families purchasing a product that is cheaper rather than better for
them, especially if they are struggling as a family. GMOs can increase herbicide use,
which leaves higher residues of toxic herbicides, allergens, carcinogens, and nutritional
deficiencies. Lastly, GMOs can have suicide genes, meaning that they can spread to
organic crops and causing the seeds to be infertile.
Viral DNA can be found in GMOs also. This DNA can cause viral gene
fragmentation, which causes the protein produced by the affected genes to act as a toxin
causing serious damage to plant life.
Future
There are many consequences that have to do with GMOs in the future. With
increased use of antibiotic genes, this will lead to resistance to antibiotics and increased
loss of plant and animal life to decrease.
The use of agricultural chemicals on crops kills off a large amount of the bee
population as collateral damage. If bees were to go extinct, which is possible, humanity
would soon follow after due to lack of oxygen and subsequent loss of oxygen.
In order to maintain crop fields nationwide, a popular herbicide Roundup is being
used. This particular herbicide contains glyphosate. It has been shown that glyphosate
may enhance the damaging effects of other food-bourn chemical residues and toxins in
the environment to disrupt normal body function.

Proposed Solutions
GROW wants everyone to recognize that organic wellness, and purchasing
organic produce is beneficial to not only those who farm but to families who purchase.
We hope to one day make organically grown foods as affordable as GMOs are now. We
also hope to one day make farmers have a larger reward for growing organically grown
foods. We are also making sure children are educated, because we believe every member
of the family should be educated on what theyre eating.
Opposition
Many believe GMOs are good for their abundance in growing. They are more
resistant to weeds, pests, and other diseases because they are modified to fight against
these. They have a larger shelf life, meaning they can last longer. Many also believe that
having GMO foods are the way to end hunger and feed the world nutritional food
because they do not become bad as soon as organically grown food.

Conclusion
To conclude, there are points on both sides of GMO versus Organic, but at the end
of the day the more natural the product the better it is for your body. We are GROW and
we are Gathering Recognition of Organic Wellness, and you should too.