Genetically modified foods have dramatically evolved since the first creation of "Flavr Savr Tomatoes. " Since then, crops such as soybeans, corn, and bananas have been genetically altered to withstand pesticide spraying, have a higher resistance to insects, and ripen at a slower pace. Nowadays 80% of soybeans and 40% of all corn grown in the US are genetically modified and 75% of all processed food in the US contains genetically modified ingredients (McLean). .
Because of the rapidly increasing amount of genetically modified foods sold in the US, the threat to the health and wellbeing of all Americans is substantial. As Loyola of Los Angeles International and Comparative Law Review author Bryan Endres points out, one of the most prominent health risks associated with genetically modified foods is the possible transfer of antibiotic resistant genes. When genes are switched around through genetic modifications, the genetic configuration of different foods becomes more complex. Ultimately this could result in genes with an antibiotic resistance, making it nearly impossible to develop new medicines capable of treating specific illnesses. This is because of the complexity of the newly generated gene configurations within genetically modified crops. "Citing fears of potential allergic reactions and antibiotic resistance, the British Medical Association called for a ban on the release of GMOs into the environment " (Endres 457).
Allergic responses are very prevalent with genetically modified foods. Director of bioethics at Santa Clara University and author of "The Future of Food: An Introduction to the Ethical Issues in Genetically Modified Foods " Margaret McLean, acknowledges, "There is the potential that allergy-producing genes will be inserted into unrelated foodstuffs. Since GM foods are not labeled, a person could suffer a potentially fatal allergic reaction. " For example, genetically modified tomatoes are more likely to cause an allergic response than naturally grown tomatoes because they are engineered with external genes.
