An odd situation occurred last summer while I was working at a grocery store part time. It is a paradox when it comes to “healthy” food choices, as brands that have the healthy name are not exactly healthy. Today’s social world is all about whole foods and organic foods. Having worked at a grocery store during my first two years of college, last summer I witnessed people purchase the “organic” grapes that were five to six dollars more versus the regular grapes that were half the price, and were no different than the organic grapes. I said to them that they were the exact same thing but they insisted the “organic” grapes were better. I still scratch my head at that today. Today’s norm(s) when it comes to food, I feel, rely heavily on labels than what the actual healthiness of the food can deliver.

Some prominent societal issues today encompasses the anti-GMO movement. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are actually, contrary to popular belief, a way to preserve the food surplus. And, as long as the surplus remains greater than that of the human population, then the use of GMOs will continue until another source is found to sustain food. Think about it: A decade ago, you would not be purchasing exotic fruits year round, but only when they are in season. Grapes, as mentioned in my first paragraph, some of them that come to the stores are evidently huge compared to what they used to be. The quantity of fruit has increased exponentially, and the quality has become safe despite the use of pesticides and GMO. Without the use of GMO on crops, the human population would suffer detrimental consequences, perhaps to the point of widespread famine. I think we as a society take GMO engineering for granted because the norm(s) tell us think about it otherwise.

The use of GMO in commercial food products to sustain the human population of the world. Notice there is a consistent circulation between Human Consumption, to Nutritional Value, to Sustainability. That is a crucial part of the GMO cycle.