GMO's

"What's for dinner, Mom?"

"Genetically modified organisms, son!"

While this conversation hasn't taken place in my home, it could, and it could also happen in every other home in this nation, and around the world.

GMOs can be defined as organisms in which the DNA has been altered in a way that does NOT occur naturally. I first learned of the process of altering the DNA in a movie titled "The Future of Food". In order to penetrate the cell, you first have to penetrate the cell wall with a virus or bacteria that allows you to implant a foreign DNA into the cell. The bacteria that is used is E-Coli....shocking! If that isn't bad enough, they then place an antibiotic resistant marker gene in the cell in order to follow the E-coli, which could possibly lead to an antibiotic resistant form of E-coli.


Because GMO seeds are classified as not significantly different than the non-GMO seed, no further testing is required by law. There are groups, however, that are studying the effects of GMO products, and the results are frightening. Laboratory animals that were fed GMO products showed increased levels of stomach lesions, significant changes to the liver, sterility, higher death rates, and higher infant mortality. Other studies have shown dramatic increases in allergies, immune system problems, and increase in cancer risks. 


Also, because of the classification of GMO products, it is NOT required that food products be labeled as such. Some estimates say that 70% of the processed foods on grocery store shelves contain GMO products. 


How do you know which foods to avoid? Here are some interesting statistics:

• 85% of corn is genetically modified
• 91% of soy beans are genetically modified
• 88% of cotton is genetically modified
• 76% of canola is genetically modified

(Think of all the ways these items are used, in any form, and consider the enormity of the problem.)


Currently, the only way to insure you are not getting GMO food is to purchase "organic" products. The organic label requires that no GMO seed was used. You should also consider the seed you use to plant your garden. It should be heirloom or certified organic. Another consideration would be pet food and livestock feed.  


I hope this post has given you a starting point for your own research into this matter. I have listed a couple of links below that I found very helpful. 


http://truefoodnow.org/
http://www.saynotogmos.org/index.htm