The GMO/GE Debate

The scientific community and the public sphere are having different debates about the application of genetic engineering to improve our food supply. Many that are deeply steeped in the science view genetically engineered food as a more precise way to accomplish what we have been doing for centuries, which is genetically modifying our food supply. Some members of the public view genetically engineered food with skepticism especially as it relates to health, safety and the environment. A disconnect between the scientific consensus and public perception is not a new phenomenon. This Article attempts to bridge this gap by explaining what genetically modified food is (including both conventional and genetic engineering methods), suggesting reasons for the widening gap between scientists and the public, and offering a preliminary discussion of benefits and consequences of using biotechnology to alter our food supply