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Genetically
Modified Organisms (GMO)
Unfortunately, because of money, many of our crops have been or are being
genetically modified. Genetically engineered (GE) means that the
genes and DNA have been altered in that food item. Altering the
genetic make-up of foods is creating, well, Frankenstein foods.
The effects of these changes have not been fully tested on our
environment nor on our health and what little information exists is
dismal. Animals
fed GMO corn, for example, developed problems of their blood (leukemia),
blood pressure, kidney, liver (including significant changes kidney
weight as well as lesions on the kidney and liver), allergies to
infection, increased blood sugar levels, diseases, and yes, even cancer.
These are not minor problems, but major changes in the body. These
are a toxic reactions to a poison. (Even if the same effect
doesn't occur in humans, think of the repercussions of us eating the
meat of animals that ate the GMO corn and therefore unhealthy animals!)
Corn
and Soy are the top two genetically modified crops and are two of the
largest crops. You can find corn and soy in practically every
processed food. Chickens and cows eat corn and soy on feedlots
(another reason to choose only grassfed
meats and organic chicken)
so the problem is multiplied in every way. Then there is nature's
way of creating crops naturally with cross-pollination and it becomes
clear that our entire food line is in jeopardy. The real fear is
that at some point, it will be difficult to find any corn and soy
that is not genetically modified. When we think of how many
products use corn as a base and then the animals that are regularly fed
this, we can easily see how this is a huge experiment with our lives and
the health of humans everywhere. Genetic
Modification is a scientific process that changes the very nature of a
plant. Genes from humans, bacteria, viruses, plants and animals
are inserted into the plants. This is the first time that science
has been able to cross the species barrier. This allows the
companies to control the foods, the farmers, and the food chain itself.
Inserting these foreign organisms into corn changes how our body will
use it nutritionally (many crops now offer less protein, for example)
and creates new allergies and toxins that must be fought off with
additional chemicals and drugs. And
to further add insult to this injury, because these Frankensteins can
now reproduce, "super weeds" are cropping up that need super
strong pesticides! That's even MORE chemicals in our environment
and in our food. A vicious cycle, or is it a planned action for
profit? The companies who are sponsoring this research and use
include pharmaceutical companies like the drug company that owns
Monsanto which creates weed killer (and Nutrasweet),
and corporations like Phillip Morris which owns Kraft Foods. Kraft
uses GMO. We
are guinea pigs in this huge experiment. Though the goal of GMO
crops is to make them less susceptible to pests, more resistant to
drought and stronger overall, the actual result is that stronger
pesticides will be needed for the stronger weeds and disease, just as
overuse of antibiotics has created stronger strains of disease in
humans. "Seralini points out that Bt crops create new pesticides. Mon 863,
for example, is unique; it differs from the natural version of Bt
pesticide in seven ways and should, according to Seralini, require at
least the same level of evaluation as chemical pesticides. The same
holds true for herbicide tolerant crops, which are engineered to survive
large applications of weed killers such as Monsanto's Roundup. Seralini
points out that these GM plants have far more herbicide residues in
the edible portions and extensive toxicity tests must be performed.
But the biotech industry claims that they could not afford to introduce
GM crops if they had to pay for the tests normally required for
pesticides in Europe. For GM crop approvals in the US, they spend even
less. US authorities require only 30-day studies for the Bt plants and
no safety tests whatsoever are required for herbicide tolerant
varieties."* European
countries have restricted GM foods and require clear labeling, but the
U.S. falls far behind in this and are actively growing GMO foods. By
definition, Organic
foods are not genetically altered, but the issue is even bigger because
of the potential of cross pollination of crops. GMO crops affect
our environment, our animals, our body, and our future health, and our
very survival since they have repercussions upon the very essence of our
existence - food. Genetic modifications of our foods introduce new
food allergens, potential antibiotic-resistant bacteria, changes in
nutritional value, changes in the cattle and animals that eat them that
we will then consume, changes in animals and life that consume them that
we appreciate for beauty and life, and potential changes in our body
when we eat them. We need to get rid of genetically modified foods.
Supporting organic farmers and not buying foods that are GMO is the best
way - since this is profit driven, speaking with the wallet is louder
than any letter. When we learn which foods are more likely GMO, we
can let the scientists and big companies know that it's not okay with us
by not purchasing their products. We
get many questions about seedless grapes and fruits like that.
This is not genetic engineering. This is selective plant breeding
for a certain characteristic. This process has been going on since
the dawn of agriculture. GE or GMO only describes those foods that
have been spliced with other genes and DNA nucleus. Genetically
engineered foods are very different from selective plant breeding which
is done for characteristics like orange for carrots, red for tomatoes,
and seedless in grapes. The vast majority of our crops today have
been bred for a special characteristic that we have found most
appealing. These crops can still be grown organically.
Understand GE crops are primarily in soy and corn (at present) and steer
clear of these as well as things that contain these in their ingredients
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| Fresh | Cooking Staples | Processed Foods |
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Farm Raised Fish - including Salmon |
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Including many:
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Use this List
of GMO and non-GMO brands or this European
List which is even more extensive to
make your shopping easier.
Resources:
General Resources for information:
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