NOTE FROM TED: We've flagged this talk for falling outside TEDx's curatorial guidelines because it oversimplifies the discourse surrounding GM foods and the science of genetic engineering. This talk only represents the speaker’s personal views and experiences with GMOs, diet, and human health. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/t...

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. At a time when environmental factors are contributing so significantly to the agriculture industry, many farmers and corporations are turning to the use of GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) and pesticides to sustain their crops. Fifteenyearold activist Rachel Parent believes that the use of these chemicals is negatively affecting our health, and that consumers have a right to know when they’ve been used to modify ingredients in the food we’re buying on a daily basis. In her informative TEDxToronto talk, Rachel urges Canadian officials to make it mandatory for food manufacturers to list the use of GMOs in labelling, so we can make informed decisions as consumers.

At age 12, Rachel did a school project on Genetically Modified Organisms and became alarmed by what she learned. This sparked her into activism fighting for GMO labels to become a law in Canada. By 14, she had a heated TV debate with Kevin O’Leary, which instantly went viral. Now a veteran of the media public speaking circuit, Rachel is part of the United Nations Youth Leaders Education program and founder of Kids Right to Know, an organization created to inform the public, especially the youth, about food safety.

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