“Labeling of Genetically Modified Food Products” Essay

Genetically Modified Organisms or GMOs were first introduced into Americas’ food supply in 1996, and there were 7 million acres of crops worldwide that were using GMO seeds. As of 2004, the crop size worldwide that uses GMO seeds had grown to 222 million acres with approximately 63% of those in the United States alone (253). As of 2008, more than 90 percent of soy crops and 75 percent of corn in the United States were raised from genetically modified seeds. As of now, in the United States, there are still no regulations to mandate the labeling of food products that contain GMOs. The United States only requires labeling of genetically modified foods if the food has a significantly different nutritional property, or unexpected allergens, or if the food contains toxins that are higher than acceptable levels. Most developed countries throughout the world have adopted differing regulations pertaining to labeling food products containing GMOs, although with some controversy. While the mandatory labeling requirements were enacted to allow consumer choice of whether or not to purchase foods that contain GMOs, mandatory labeling in the European Union and Japan for example, has resulted in retailers not stocking genetically modified foods on their shelves due to the perceived consumer aversion to genetically modified foods. Advocates of genetically modified foods argue that consumers already have a choice in what they can purchase, whether it is processed foods with traditionally grown ingredients, genetically modified processed foods or organic foods. The consumers of these nations voiced their opinions loudly, that they had the right to know if GMOs were in the food products they were buying, and their governments listened. In the United States, the FDA has stringent testing protocols that biotech firms must follow when developing a drug to bring to market. This protocol consists of different phases of drug trials with the first being a study of the possible side effects of said proposed drug on healthy subjects (meaning that if said drug is for treating colon cancer, the test subjects will be free from the disease) to determine if the subjects develop any side effects. If the phase 1 tests prove to meet FDA satisfaction, they are allowed to proceed to phase 2 of clinical trials which involve subjects that currently have the disease they are trying to treat with the new drug and the tests are done to see if the proposed drug actually treats the disease that they are aiming at. Some ask, that with such stringent testing done with drug chemicals that will be ingested by consumers, why aren’t those same stringent testing regulations implemented into the genetically modified food industry. There is much controversy on this matter in the United States, as Delborne and Kinchy write in the article â€Å"Genetically Modified Organisms†; Promoters of GMOs tend to favor science-based risk assessments (â€Å"sound science†), whereas critics tend to advocate the precautionary principle. Calls for science-based risk assessments often come from stakeholders who oppose increased regulation and want to see GM technologies developed and marketed. Specifically, they argue that before a technology should be regulated for possible risks, those risks must be demonstrated as scientifically real and quantifiable. Although the definition of â€Å"sound science† is itself controversial, proponents state that regulatory agencies such as the EPA and FDA have been too quick to regulate technologies without good evidence—arguing that such government interference not only creates financial disincentives for technological innovation but actually causes social harm by delaying or preventing important technologies from becoming available. Such a perspective views government regulation as a risk in itself. By contrast, advocates of the precautionary principle stress the existence of scientific uncertainties associated with many modern environmental and health issues. They have proposed a framework for decision making that errs on the side of precaution (â€Å"better safe than sorry†). Major components include the following: (1) anticipate harm and prevent it; (2) place the burden of proof on polluters to provide evidence of safety, not on society to prove harm; (3) always examine alternative solutions; and (4) include affected parties in democratic governance of technologies. Critics argue that the precautionary principle is little more than a scientific disguise for anti-technology politics (187). Testing of GMOs in our food products should be done in a similar way as drugs are tested. The way that it stands now, all consumers are being treated as guinea pigs with this technology, and some are not convinced that it’s not having an impact on the health of consumers. The CDC has reported an 18 percent increase in food allergies among children under the age of 18 from 1997 to 2007. Even though there have been no long term scientific studies conducted to measure the health impacts of ingesting GMOs, some proponents use the absence of evidence as proof that GMOs are safe, but critics counter that absence of evidence cannot serve as GMOs safety, and accuse biotechnology corporations and governments of conducting an uncontrolled experiment by allowing GMOs into the human diet (192). As of 2010 no scientific studies have shown conclusively that currently licensed GMO foods harm human health. However, in many cases there is continued concern that the data and studies supporting GMO use are insufficient to declare GMO use safe, especially with regard to use in the open environment and over successive generations (419). In the United States, as mentioned early, manufacturers are only required to label genetically modified foods if the food has a significantly different nutritional property, or unexpected allergens, or if the food contains toxins that are higher than acceptable levels, whereas organically grown foods to which they would be labeled is considered a voluntary or optional label by the FDA and USDA, and have a more stringent set of labeling requirements that producers of these products must adhere to. â€Å"The presence of genetically modified substances above certain very low thresholds disqualifies the organic label. Organic farmers therefore sustained economic losses because of transgenic contamination of their crops† (186). Food label regulations in the United States are meant to tell consumers the ingredients, and nutritional composition of packaged food for sale. The purpose of food labels, are to allow consumers to make an informed decision on whether or not to purchase a particular product. There are polls in the United States that show roughly 85 percent of Americans want food labeling for products containing GMOs, yet government officials are resistant to mandating GMO labeling of food products stemming from pressure by the proponents of GMO production. The health and safety of this nation is at risk of being one huge nationwide experiment with genetically engineered foods, and if the biotech corporations and scientists are wrong about the safety of these products, it may have unrecoverable consequences not only in the United States, but across the entire world. It would be prudent for the government entities that were created to protect consumers, to err on the side of caution rather than on the side corporations. Americans have the right to know what is in the food products that we are purchasing, and the confidence in government agencies that are overseeing the development and manufacturing of these products, that they are 100 percent safe for us to eat just as those same agencies regulate the biotech corporations that develop and introduce new drugs to the market. Works Cited Collin, Robert William. â€Å"Genetically Modified Food. † Environment. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2008. 253-257. Battleground. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 31 July 2011. Davidson, Tish. â€Å"Food Labeling. † The Gale Encyclopedia of Diets: A Guide to Health and Nutrition. Ed. Jacqueline L. Longe. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 2008. 407-412. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 31 July 2011. McIntosh, Philip. â€Å"Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). † Food: In Context. Ed. Brenda Wilmoth Lerner and K. Lee Lerner. Vol. 1: Advertising Food to International Fund for Agricultural Development. Detroit: Gale, 2011. 416-421. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 9 Aug. 2011. Restivo, Sal and Peter H. Denton. â€Å"Genetically Modified Organisms. † Science and Technology. Ed. Vol. 1. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2008. 182-195. Battleground. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 31 July 2011.

Boundary-Less Career Concept and Implications for the Career Essay

Boundary-Less Career Concept and Implications for the Career Development - Essay Example As a business student, researcher feels that the world of business offers me exciting opportunities. What he really means by the boundary-less career regimes lies in the fact that business is on the upward move. It is always growing and expanding and not being stagnant at any point in time. For the author to look up to the future and visualize himself standing with the top management gurus, he feels pride in stating that he can relate to what they do, work and feel like. The author can relate to their respective concepts of career development and the manner in which they have taken an upward growth path. He believes that he can always contribute in a better manner towards the society if he works in a business organization because this is something that comes from within – it is naturally inclined to the researcher to act, think and feel business-mindedly. The implications that stand in the way of the author’s career development include his understanding related with the niche segments of the business and comprehension which he can attain in the wake of finding out more and more as to what exactly is happening in the local terrains and on the global front. The boundaryless career concept of business offers the researcher a range of options to start with. He could look at the retailing side of the business where channel members could mean significance for his trade. The author could look at the middle management regimes and thus present himself in line with the changing market dynamics. The researcher can offer his services in the client relationship side which offers him to interact with all sorts of customers and clients and thus open his sense of understanding with different people almost on a daily basis. The author could opt for the sales management areas and thus expand my sales vision as well as the manner under which he could get to know what is happening at the wholesalers’ ends and as to how the different chain levels interact with each other whilst setting their own standards along the line.

Millennial Generation Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Millennial Generation - Assignment Example As such, the changes associated with this group cannot be easily understood at times. The imprints of the generation are moved in the lifecycle of the people, with the most significant impression being seen among the youth. The millennials are considered to be vulnerable to interference. This is claimed to be as a result of multitasking. Despite science claiming that multitasking is a myth, it is quite evident that this generation shows extraordinary multi-tasking abilities. This is seen in places of work and at home. Millennials have grown exposed to a variety of technological advancements and this has motivated them to carry out several duties and activities at the same time. They are always putting their brains with the extensive multitasking training. Evidence has shown that long time engagement in the simultaneous playing of video games, doing assignments and watching television has reduced the ability of the brain to perform thus, making them more vulnerable. It is, however, worth noting that the multi-tasking has allowed them to increase their brain processing speed making the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new environments. There is a popular belief that millennials are more caring and more community oriented. This is shown by their ability to show concern to their colleagues at home and in their places of work. According to Chip, Ukleja, and Rusch, the caring aspect of this generation comes from the environment that such people grow up in. Their childhood is affected by family and social influences that ensure that they develop to become people interested in extrinsic life goals (102). Several products like reality Television, iWorld, and NCLB exposes the generation to the external world and motivates them to engage others socially and culturally. In the long run, it makes them engaged in external life aspects and promotes a caring attitude or trait among them. The millennials are also more open-minded as compared to other generations.  

Health Systems and Healthcare Systems Coursework - 5

Health Systems and Healthcare Systems - Coursework Example Key among the roles of the government is to provide every Nigerian access to basic healthcare facilities without discrimination. In Nigeria, primary health care services are available in both the rural and urban areas. The agencies provide basic care to citizens regardless of their class or status. There are various aspects supporting the evaluation of the primary health care services in Nigeria. Primary health care services also include training on prevailing health problem and techniques of controlling and preventing the problems. It ensures proper nutrition among citizens and promotion of food supply and childcare, family planning immunization and prevention against major infectious diseases. There is significant evidence in the health promotion interventions making active enhancement of human health care. Primary healthcare also concerns the satisfaction of health- related Millennium Development Goals among the marginalized group and poor members of the population. World health organization (WHO) applies health promotion techniques to health and related social system and various risk factors including disease and health issues. Organizations are concerned with improving the quality of life by performing health promotion services. Health promotion has crucial roles to play in fostering public health policies and health -supportive environments promoting positive social conditions and skills promoting healthy lifestyles (Boman & Isiaka 2015, p.1). World health organization supports the country in improving infrastructure for organizing planning and initiating multispectral health policies and programs in Nigeria. Health system concentrates towards health promotion promotions initiatives including and their capabilities geared towards promoting health. There are advocacy and social mobilization for policy in support of health

Relationship marketing - case of Tesco Dissertation

Relationship marketing - case of Tesco - Dissertation Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that the relationship marketing is the form of marketing where the firms emphasize more on customer satisfaction and customer retention rather than pushing the product. The companies are rather taking a pull strategy for developing new product and acquire the customers. When a company has good relation with its customers then the customers will become loyal to the company and that will help the company also acquire new customers. In the era of globalization the competition between the firms are intense, and for retaining the market share the companies need to develop some innovative strategy of marketing so that the customers become more attracted to their products. When a company is trying to push the products then the customer might loss attraction for their products because the products of the concerned company may not be meet the customer requirements. The customers may shift their attention to any other brand where they can get the produ cts as per their requirements. As a result the revenue of the former company gets affected as well as their profit. So for retaining the market share the companies should stop using the push marketing strategy, instead they need to use the pull marketing strategy. The companies should consider the customer requirements with the most importance, and for become the market leader the companies should develop a good relationship with the customers. ... They have to face the political challenges of different countries and competition from the local competitors. The opportunities of the local competitors are that they can develop the relationship with the local customers easily where it is tough for the multinational competitors. The local companies can understand what the customers want as they are operating in the same country. But the companies which are operating globally they need to understand the local customers need for generating revenue and profit from the country. The requirements of the customers differ from one country to another. The companies need to understand the customer requirements of different countries for generating profit from that country. For knowing the customer requirements the multinational companies need to conduct the market research in that particular country. Through the marketing research processes the companies can come to know about the customer needs, the customer also feel that the company is try ing to utilizing their responses. Through these processes the companies can come close to the customers, the relation between the customer and the company get improved. For achieving the sustainable market share and gaining profit the companies need to make some long term strategies. The customers are the main stakeholders of the company. The customers naturally obtain for the company where they can get maximum value in a relatively lower price. The customers expect that the product will obviously meet their basic requirements and as well as they can get some more benefits from that product. The customers will go for the brand where they can get maximum benefits after meeting the basic requirements. In this report

The role of religious thought and influence on the development of Term Paper

The role of religious thought and influence on the development of Western art and culture - Term Paper Example Other artists (or even the same artist at a different time) may even try to conceal their religious identity in their artwork, but at times it may still be evident and thus influential. As such, there are many examples of religious thought within the realm of Western art and culture, and these may come from less than obvious sources. The most populous religion in the Western world is Christianity, and it is true that this religion has had a large influence on Western art of all types. However, it would be wrong to assume that this is the only religion or religious movement that has exerted its effects on culture, as Islam and Eastern religions have travelled to the West and left their mark. Additionally, new religious movements can also be felt within some more contemporary examples of artistry, and these will be explored throughout this paper. The thesis is that art will prove to have been heavily influenced by several religious traditions throughout the ages and Christianity will p rove to be more influential than most within the context of Western art and culture. ... hristianity has had on Western culture (rather the opposite), rebelling against the religion is still an important effect and as such these works will be discussed also. One of the most famous artists of the Renaissance period was Leonardo da Vinci, and he produced a number of paintings that reflect Christian ideology. Some of the most famous of these are The Last Supper, Virgin of the Rocks and Baptism of Christ, all of which were painted at the latter end of the 15th century (Janson & Janson, 2004) These works continue to have an astounding presence within the culture of today, and Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most mysterious and intriguing artists of this time, not least because some of his Christian based works seem to mask areligious messages. Many artists have cited da Vinci as an inspiration, meaning that these works continue to have a message today. Another figure within the Renaissance art world was Machiavelli, who was a political philosopher who created numerous works o f poetry and literature. Interestingly, Machiavelli was a humanist and did not officially follow Christianity. However, given the religious climate at the time, Christianity indubitably affected the writing of Machiavelli, despite much of it being reactionary, and as such this can be classified as a lasting effect that Christianity has had on literature (Virolli, 1998). Although this was a time in which many pieces of art were for the Church or felt the need to appease the Church, there are other times in which Christianity has had an effect on art and culture in the West. For example, within modern times, a lot of work has been of an atheist nature, but many artists do still produce images in a religious vein. For example, Henri Matisse, a prolific French painter, produced a stained-glass

Participative Management - A Study of John Lewis Partnership Case

Participative Management - A of John Lewis Partnership - Case Study Example Competitors find it difficult to replicate the competitive edge acquired by such a firm over a period of time. The objective of this report is to analyze HRM principles and theoretical observations applicable to John Lewis Partnership. The report will also examine whether and where the HRM policies adopted by the company fulfill or fall short in strengthening its efforts to achieve organizational goals and attempts at suggesting remedial measures. Human Resource Management-Participative Management: The central theme of human resource management is to enhance employee performance through employee commitment (Armstrong, 1987, Storey 1995 cited in McGunnigle 2000). The right human resource management system attracts and retains the right talent, develops workforce skills, resolves or avoids conflicts and motivates workforce into a culture of commitment to achieve organizational goals (Storey 1995 cited in McGunnigle 2000). Watson et al. suggest that a culture of commitment may be induced by the application of specific practices within HRM areas such as recruitment and selection, training and development, reward systems, employee participation, involvement and empowerment (Watson et al. 1996 cited in McGunnigle 2000). Kinnie et al. ... Involvement in decision making Performance appraisal with tight links to contingent pay (Holbeche 2001 p.13) Kinnie et al. sound a word of caution when they argue that the application of specific HR policies may not have a uniformly desirable effect on all employees working in an organization. They argue that the extant debate on the links between HR policy and organizational performance has been based on the distinction between the 'best practice' and 'best fit' perspectives, both of which assume that HR policies have the same effect on all employees working in an organization. The best practice view put forth by Pfeffer (1994, 1998 cited in Kinnie et al. 2005) identifies a set of policies associated with performance improvement applicable to all industries and by implication to all employees. On the other hand the best-fit strategy proposed by Schuler and Jackson (1987 cited in Kinnie et al. 2005) and Miles and Snow (1984 cited in Kinnie et al. 2005) suggests that HR policies consistent with business strategy maximize performance. (Kinnie et al. 2005). There have been a number of references to 'participative management' within the literature on human resource management, which however must not be confused with permissiveness. According to Frohman, it is a "practical approach to solving problems and achieving performance targets by utilizing people as resources." As against the human resource approach which "aims to generate compliance and employee morale" participative management is a "quest for improved performance and quality." (Frohman 1988) John Lewis Partnership (JLP): JLP is an employees' co-operative, wholly owned by its 64,000 employee-partners. This unique democratic management model imbues the company with a corporate