GMOs Do Not Belong in Children's Food
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Sponsor: The Hunger Site
Tell the FDA to investigate into the harmful effects of genetically modified ingredients in our children's food.
The term "genetically modified organism" (GMO) may not be one that exists in most people's everyday lexicons — but it is one that needs exposure, because GMOs are found in many products we buy today.
GMOs are foods whose chemical structures have been modified1, and can introduce new allergens into food as well as contribute to antibiotic resistance2.
Moreover, GMOs can be found in many of the foods and products we give to our children3. Infant formula, baby bottles, baby foods — these are all products that are made for children, who by definition also happen to have highly susceptible immune systems4.
In 1986, the first intergovernmental document to address issues surrounding the use of GMOs was released5. This document recommended that risk assessments be performed on a case-by-case basis. Since then, the case-by-case approach to risk assessment for genetically modified products has been widely accepted; however, the U.S. has generally taken a product-based approach to assessment1.
Until GMOs are proven safe, they shouldn't be used in ANY of our products, especially those widely used by young children. Tell the FDA to stop allowing the use of these products until it has proven them safe for human consumption.
- World Health Organization (2021), "Food, Genetically modified."
- Scitable, Nature Education (2014), "Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Transgenic Crops and Recombinant DNA Technology."
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration (28 September 2020), "GMO Crops, Animal Food, and Beyond."
- FoodSafety.gov, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (21 October 2021), "People at Risk: Children Under Five."
- Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (1986) "Recombinant DNA Safety Considerations."
The Petition:
Dear FDA commissioner,
Children consume many products that may be genetically engineered. Because the FDA hasn't required any regulatory testing on GMOs, companies use them in their products without acknowledgement to the harm they actually may cause.
The problem with GMOs is that they are products whose chemical structures have been altered, and there has been no evidence proving that these modified substances are safe for human consumption. Because the chemical make-up is genetically engineered, products can cause unforeseen allergies and resistance to certain antibiotics.
Children are much more sensitive to toxins than are adults, which is why it's completely counter-intuitive to provide them with products that haven't been approved by the FDA.
For the health of our children, please don't continue to ignore this important issue.
