The Peer Education at Creighton event on Thursday at Creighton University sparked active debate between speaker Mary Lynn Kardel, a registered dietitian, and Creighton students over the health effects of GMOs, hormones and antibiotics in food.

Kardell was brought in by PEAC to share her presentation titled “GMOs, Hormones, Antibiotics, Pesticides … Is Our Food Supply Safe?” Kardell characterized her presentation as based in facts.

“My job is to give you the facts and then you make a decision as a consumer,” said Kardell.

Kardell’s presentation did not present any negative effects of consuming GMO or hybrid foods. However, Kardell did mention the increased fat in grain-fed beef.

Throughout the presentation, several  students challenged Kardell and expressed that they believed her presentation was biased.

As Kardell discussed the difference between grass-fed and grain-fed cattle, junior College of Business student David Rice voiced his frustration with the use of animals for meat.

“The beef industry is like the holocaust for millions of cows a week,” said Rice.

Members of PEAC and Kardell attempted to continue the presentation without interruptions.

“You can challenge me as much as you want but I don’t think it is productive for the group,” said Kardell.

Some students in the audience were visibly uncomfortable while watching the exchanges between the disagreeing students and Kardell. 

“I didn’t think it was very respectful of the nutritionist’s time,” said Jackie Rivas a Creighton sophomore.

Rice also expressed frustration that Kardell did not cite sources of her information came during the presentation.

“The thing that bothers me is a lot of pro-GMO information comes from the government, which is overrun by Monsanto and other companies,” said Rice.

Members of the PEAC leadership said they were happy with the presentation, though it was more controversial than their events usually are.

“As far as the information that is exactly what we were looking for,” said Evan Graumann, the PEAC president. After the presentation numerous students went up to talk with Kardell and thanked her for the presentation.