Are the tomatoes you eat in Food Court as natural as they look, or have they been genetically modified through a controversial alteration?
Even though the idea of genetically modified food is currently being widely debated, Dartmouth Dining Services has no official policy on whether it buys the souped-up vegetables and meat or their more traditional cousins.
The College does not check first before purchasing items to see whether they were genetically modified -- or infused with a gene from another organism.
DDS Purchasing Manager Beth Jones told The Dartmouth it is very difficult to tell what has been modified and what has not because food companies do not place labels on products that identify which ingredients are modified.
For example, a salad dressing company will not label its products for genetically enhanced soybeans or other natural ingredients.
This lack of labeling has been a particular subject of debate among legislators nationally, with some calling for mandates requiring producers and manufacturers to identify modified foods.
Although there is little scientific information currently available about the effects of genetically modified food on humans, members of the College community already have a wide variety of opinions.
Jones says she would not have a problem eating genetically modified food, while Collis Assistant Manager Steve Edes said he would steer away from such food if he had a choice. Courtyard Cafe Manager Joseph Rosenberger said he takes pride in not serving modified food, which, in his opinion, would be a step backward.
According to Devon Bonady '00, a full-time intern at Dartmouth's Organic Farm, "Most organic farmers are opposed to genetically modified foods," however she admitted that some would support it if it could make organic farming easier and more widespread.
Philosophy Department Chair Bernard Gert notes that people are quick to leap to conclusions either condemning or accepting all genetically modified foods on the basis of one product or plant. He suggests each item should be examined individually and judged on its own merits.
Gert said while genetic foods might be questionable, if they are used to combat immediate serious problems like starvation, they can ultimately do more good than harm.
