Maryland farmer at forefront of GMO debate

Americas Now

Genetically Modified Organisms are foods that have been changed from their original state to produce a greater yield. While organizations such as the American Medical Association and the Food and Drug Administration have said that GMOs are safe for human consumption, many remain skeptical.

Maryland farmer at forefront of GMO debate

Genetically Modified Organisms are foods that have been changed from their original state to produce a greater yield. While organizations such as the American Medical Association and the Food and Drug Administration have said that GMOs are safe for human consumption, many remain skeptical.

This skepticism comes, in part, due to American Academy of Environmental Medicine claims that GMO foods have led to infertility, immune problems, and changes to major organs in animal studies.

Correspondent Jessica Stone interviewed Jenny Schmidt, a farmer who is planting crops from genetically modified seeds in Maryland’s Eastern Shore. In addition to farming, Schmidt is also a registered dietician who writes a blog defending the practice of growing GMO foods.

“If it’s substantially equivalent to what we already consume in the food-supply system, then it’s safe, and the research has supported that,” she said.

Others, however, are less convinced.

“There’s no conclusive evidence of harm and there’s no conclusive evidence of safety,” says Trudy Bialic, an anti-GMO advocate and natural foods marketer. “In fact, the FDA has never said these foods are safe.”

Many countries have begun mandating that GMOs be specifically labeled as such in supermarkets. Supporters say it would add transparency to what consumers are buying, while opponents say labeling would drive prices up.