1. Molly Edde
April 20, 2015
Communications 450
Tribute Speech
A famous man once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what’s for
lunch?” Food. Food has always had an enormous impact on society. This impact can either be
positive or negative. It can bring people together, or tear people apart. Either way, it has and will
always be a part of our lives. But have you ever stopped and actually asked yourself what really
is in your food? Take a look past the veggies in your sandwich, the toppings on your pizza, or the
sugar in your bowl of cereal. And ask where does all of this come from? Or how does it get here?
The answer to most of these questions are GMOs. What are GMOs? GMO stands for genetically
modified organisms. Now what does that mean? According to dictionary.com GMOs are,
“foods produced from organisms that have had specific changes introduced into their DNA using
the methods of genetic engineering.” Now, you may be wondering why I am asking so many
questions. Well, this is because there are so many questions out there about GMOs with little
answers. GMOs are in the food we eat every day. Many of us are unaware that we are eating
these contaminated foods. So, you may ask why are we unware that we are eating these modified
foods? This is a great question. We should be aware about these things we are putting into our
bodies. The labeling of GMOs is an idea that must be put into action in order to build a healthy
way of life in America. My tribute to the idea of labeling of GMOs will cover three things; why,
who, and when. Why must there be labeling of GMOs, who is advocating for the labeling, and
when should this occur.
Genetically modified organisms are used in the seeds that are planted in the soil in which
grow the food we eat. There are two main types of GMOs; herbicide resistant and pesticide

2. resistant. This allows for the seed to be resistant to either weeds or pests that intrude. About 94%
of soy crops, 96% of cotton, and 93% of corn crops all contain GMOs as of 2014. Whereas if we
look about to 1997; 17% of soy beans, 10% cotton, and 12% of corn all contained GMOs. This is
a very obvious statistic of how impactful GMOs have grown over the last decade or so. There is
a small amount of studies out there examining the impact of GMOs. The reason why there is not
enough studies out there is because of the large corporations that are involved. There are three
major companies (Monsanto, DuPont, and Sygenta) that control the majority of GMO seeds.
Monsanto has a patent on their RoundUp ready seed. This patent allows for Monsanto to take
control. To take advantage of their patent when their seeds blow over to organic farms. The
organic farmers are being victimized by Monsanto. Monsanto as employers that go out to these
farms and see if their RoundUp ready seeds are being used by the organic farmers. Which the
organic farmers unknowingly are. Monsanto then bullies these farmers and brings them to court.
The organic farmers have no other choice but to use the GMO seeds since they do not have
enough money to fight the large corporation. Not only famers are suffering, but human health,
domesticated animals, wildlife, and the environment are all suffering from GMOs. Now, this
tribute is not calling for an all-out band of GMOs. But shouldn’t we as consumers have the right
to know what is in our food? To know the harmful effects of these genetically modified
organisms and have the choice whether or not to eat these foods. A simply label is all that is
needed to create a healthy country.
Now that we know why we need this label, who is all involved in this mess? Who is
helping advocate for this? There are many players in the GMO world. The government, large
corporations, consumers, farmers, scientist, the list can go on and on. However, in order to make
a change it comes down to an individualistic approach. There are three things that we as

3. consumers can do about this issue; education, vote with the dollar signs, and sign petitions.
Education is key. Educate yourself about GMOs through reading, documentaries, or researching
on your own. The documentary that made a lasting impression on me was GMO OMG. GMO
OMG is a documentary that explains the basics of GMOS through the lens of a concern father.
Vote with your dollar signs is also a powerful tool for the movement of labeling of GMOs.
Economics is simply supply and demand, with a few very, very complicated details. However, if
American consumers were to buy organic foods with no GMOs, then there would be less of a
demand for GMOs which results in a lesser need for the supply of GMOs. Signing petitions
allows for your voice to be heard. Food Democracy is a great grassroots movement dedicated to
building a sustainable food systems that protects our natural environment, sustainable farming,
and help nourish families. These three tools gives you, the consumer, the power to help the
labeling of GMOs move forward.
Lastly, when will this take place? How long will it take? Over sixty countries around the
world have banned or required the labeling of GMOs, in 2013. The United States is considered a
very transparent country. So, why are we as consumers being kept in the dark about GMOs for
so long? Now is the time for us to take action and step into the light about GMOs. As of today,
only two states have required the labeling for GMOs of food. Maine and Connecticut have both
signed laws requiring the labeling of GMOs in June 2013. This battle of the labeling of GMOs is
quite similar to the tobacco health risks. People have been using tobacco products of hundreds of
years. It took an extensive amount of research and time in order to build the evidence and proof
that tobacco has negative health consequences. Let’s not make the labeling of GMOs as
extensive of a battle and take action now.

4. As consumers, we have the right to know what is in our food. Once people know why
there needs to be a label of GMOs and have the knowledge of who is involved, then there can be
a start to the movement. It is time for us as consumers to come out of the dark about GMOs and
step into the light. And remember, ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what’s in
your food?