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Many people harbor negative feelings regarding genetically modified (GM) foods. Much of this can be credited to disinformation circulating through the public consciousness, although some apprehension has its root in valid concerns of the technology. One current debate revolves around if GM foods will help or harm farmers and others in some of the poorest regions of the world. Although some immediately take a position based on their initial reaction to the thought of GM foods, it is important to look at the studies regarding GM foods and the results of their introduction into resource-poor countries to form a true, unbiased opinion.

To determine if GM foods will be beneficial to the global community and farmers, several issues need to be addressed. The first of these is safety; if the food is not safe then making the argument that it will benefit anyone is pointless. Although it may not be well known, GM foods are not simply created and released for consumer purchase. To the contrary, GM foods undergo intensive tests for the USDA, EPA and FDA before allowed into the public realm. The USDA regulates the commercial sale of GMOs, requires permits and "clearance". The EPA regulates the introduction of GMOs and along with the USDA studies affects that may occur on any non-target organism, toxicity levels and allergy reactions that may be caused by the GMO. The FDA looks for any significant differences between the GM and conventional food as well as any safety issue that may affect the public. To gain approval from the FDA, a GMO must have nutritional studies, allergen studies, toxicity results, chemical composition analyses and more. In total, the GMO must pass nine stages of review and failure at any stage results in denial of its introduction and use. Since 1996, several crops have passed these tests including soybean, corn, rice, potato, tomato, squash, papaya and cotton to name just a few. In 2006, 89% of soybeans, 83% of cotton and 61% of corn in the U.S. were GMO. According to the USDA/UF website, 25,000 field safety tests have been conducted on more than 60 GM plants and animals in 45 countries. In the U.S. alone, more than 6,500 field tests in 18,000 locations have been conducted. The Grocery Manufacturer's Association estimates that 70% of all food in U.S. groceries has a GMO component. In the 12 years since GMOs have been introduced, the horror stories of people suffering from severe reactions to the GMO component in their food has been deafeningly silent.

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