3 visual graphic aids - Assignment Example

Problems of Genetically Modified Organism: Effects of Genetically Modified Organism vary depending on the scientific research behind the production as well as the particular type of organism being modified. (Carter, Colin Andre, 8) Though it looks like there is no substantial evidence that reveals the threat GMO products have on human health, several studies have provided a clearer picture on what could be the actual effects. The United States Government has approved several GMO products that are believed to be fit for the human consumption.

These products usually do not get to be regulated. However, there are some health hazards that these products present to the people. Most of the effects range from the production of allergens, toxicity, lowered nutrition, and resistance to anti-biotic. (Bernstein et al., 23). Research reveals that there are direct effects that consumption of GMO has on the increase of psychological diseases. Figure 1.0 presents a study finding that illustrate effects of GMO on autism. Source: USDA:NASS National Agricultural Statistics Service The figure above is a representation of the study that was conducted to examine the effect the GMO had on the children with autism.

It was noted that there was a significant correlation coefficient of 0.985. This finding revealed that GMO food had direct negative effect on the mental condition of children. There are several more other studies that have tried to associate GMO with emerging diseases including cancer. It is based on these findings that there has been increased demand by those who oppose GMO to have such products labeled to give consumers a choice of what they want. Paradigm: There has been increase in demand for the GMO products to be labeled.

This advocacy has grown for a long period of time. By 1990s some food products particularly in Europe were already labeling their products. Several countries including Japan had insisted on mandatory labeling of the GMO products. (Ghosh, Kakoli, and Paul C. Jepson, 67) However, it has grown ironical that some individuals are opposed to such moves, even with the fact that such move only provide the consumer with a clear choice. Focus has lately been directed to United States, which abandoned the law of mandatory labeling of the GMO products.

Critics of the labeling view the policies as impediment to trade and unnecessary spending on research and advertisement. It is also noted that the producers of the GM products are not willing to lose their establishment since most consumers would not want to by the products label with the GM marks. They therefore are forced to change the ingredients of their products in order to avoid such labeling. Figure 1.2: GMO Commodity Index: The Great Paradigm Shift Source: USDA Agricultural Economic Report No. (AER-810) 67 pp, May 2010 Figure 1.

2 above is a systematic finding all the way from 1900 to 2010, which presented a representation of how the GMO commodity index has changed over time. This was viewed in relation to the economic depression. The findings revealed that every year of depression, the need for GMO increased. However, with the reduced regulation of labeling, the paradigm shift would not express clearly what the index was. The graph has been able to clearly demonstrate the changes that are eminent in the consumption of GMO particularly with the increase awareness of people on the composition of the product.

Action Plan According to the requirement, there is a need for General Mills to make a move toward ensuring that they promote the labeling. This includes obtaining resources that would help them realize such goal. The figure 1.3 below is an illustration of how funding towards the promotion of labeling has been in US. Figure 1.3: Funding on GMO Labeling Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (2012). Digest of Education Statistics, 2011 (NCES 2012-001), Chapter 2.

The diagram above is a finding that revealed that, in as much as there is increased opposition of the labeling; those who fund the labeling are more than those who opposed. General Mills should therefore explore even more ways of getting fund on promotion of labeling. A better way to do that would be to popularize the idea among the potential donors. Work Cited Carter, Colin Andre. Genetically Modified Food and Global Welfare. Bingley: Emerald Group Pub., 2011. Print. Ghosh, Kakoli, and Paul C. Jepson. Genetically Modified Organisms in Crop Production and their effects on the environment: methodologies for monitoring and the way ahead : expert consultation, 2005 : report and selected papers.

Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2006. Print.