Genetically Modified Foods: Pros and Cons

Man vs. Nature
This week we are discussing Genetically Modified Foods and just like any product available
there are pros and cons. This will be a hands-on assignment that will require you visit a grocery
store to compare and contrast Genetically Modified and Organic produce. Be sure to select the
same type of fruit or vegetable to compare and contrast. You are not required to buy the product!
Note: You may ask a store employee for help to identify which produce is organic and which is a
Non-organic.
Student name:
What fruit or vegetable are you comparing? We are comparing organic carrots to
conventional carrots
Non-organic Organic
Price $1.50/lbs $2.42/lbs
Characteristics:
 Color
 Size
 Smell
 Weight
Orange, yellow and red
Cellos, Table size and Jumbo
size available
Sweet, flavored, fresh and crisp
60 grams
Dull orange in color
Packaging size: 5, 10 kg
Fresh and sweet
61 grams
Where was it
grown/imported from
(country, state, etc.)?
It was grown in Grimmway
Farm Citrus and was imported
from California.
It was grown in Nash’s organic
farm and was imported from
Washington.
Where were
observations made
(farmers market,
Walmart, etc.)?
The non-organic or conventional
carrots in the farmer’s market
were sold at a cheaper rate.
However, in Walmart, the
conventional carrots were
branded under non-organic
carrots for sale and were cheaper
than the organic carrots.
The organic carrots on the other
hand were expensive both in
Walmart and the farmer’s market.
The carrots appeared same but the
seller mentioned about the use of
no pesticides in the farming
procedure.
Short Answer Questions (Minimum of 150 words each)
1. What are the some of the arguments for labeling GM foods? What are some of the arguments
against it? What side do you feel is more valid, why? Provide at least one source per
argument (one for and one against) to support your claims.
GMO crops have been considered as a major breakthrough in the field of science and
technology. While a number of researchers have presented their views in favor of
introducing GMO food items. Their main argument have been based on increasing the
productivity as well as nutritional benefits of the food items. Researchers have invariably
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