Some years ago I picked up some protein powder at Valley Natural Foods and as usual, read the label. I was looking for things like saturated fat, sugar, etc. What I saw was "no GMOs." No GMOs? When you see something like that on a food label you have to wonder what it means. Clearly if the label says it doesn't have it then it must be a bad thing, right? Well, I was content just knowing there were no GMOs in my protein powder, whatever that meant.
Fast forward a few years and I’m eating a papaya while vacationing in Hawaii. The best darn papaya I've ever eaten. I don't like the Mexican variety because, in my opinion, it smells like feet, but Hawaiian papaya smells like a sweet flower and tastes wonderful. It wasn't long before I became addicted, eating about a dozen in one week. A couple years later I returned to Hawaii only to discover you couldn't find a single papaya anywhere. I inquired at a grocery store as to the whereabouts of this succulent fruit and the grocery clerk tells me they were removed because there was a protest over them being genetically modified. What the heck did that mean?
I don't remember how I acquired my knowledge on GMOs at that point but I was way off base as to what I believed they were. I initially believed that GMOs were hybrids, hybrids being crossbred/cross pollinated. You take the best characteristics from one parent plant and insert it into another parent plant to create a desirable quality. Why would people have a problem with that, especially since cross pollination happens in nature all the time? Well, I finally get it.
In the past year I've been learning quite a bit about Genetically Modified Organisms. GMOs and Hybrids are not one in the same. To create a hybrid plant, non invasive methods of cross pollination are used. To create a genetically modified organism, scientists alter the DNA of a particular plant, animal or microorganism. The purpose of GMOs is to create a hardier species; as for plants, GMOs create one resistant to disease and pests. So, what’s the problem?
GMOs have been marketed to the public as:
- Safe.
- Lowering the cost of maintaining crops for farmers, which lowers cost for consumers.
- Creating more productive farms.
- Creating healthier food.
- The answer to the world’s food shortage.
When in fact, the five points above couldn’t be further from the truth.
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Why should you be concerned about GMOs or GEOs (Genetically Engineered Organisms)? As of right now over 75% of all processed food here in the U.S. contains a genetically modified ingredient. The most common genetically engineered foods are corn, soy, dairy, sugar, cottonseed, beef and canola. As of today there have been no long-term human safety studies done on GMOs. In fact, all previous research that was done points to GMOs not being safe for consumption.
In 1998 Dr. Arpad Pusztai, a world expert on plant lectins, was petitioned to study GMOs. During his research, after feeding GMO potatoes to rats, he found that the potatoes had a negative effect on the rat’s stomach lining and immune system. When he released his findings he was suspended and lost his contract. Although Monsanto, the multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation responsible for the creation of these GMO plants, has conducted their own studies and maintain their research proves genetically engineered plants are safe, they refuse to release their findings to the public for peer review.
Now I won't go into detail about how government is in bed with Monsanto or how half of the former Monsanto employees now work for the FDA; if you want to learn all about that insanity I suggest you read the book "Seeds of Destruction." Warning: You will lose sleep.
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What you should know is simple.
1. The FDA isn't regulating Monsanto.
2. GMOs have not been thoroughly tested for safety.
3. There are many countries around the world that have banned GMOs.
4. You are eating GMOs every day unless you eat 100% organic.
5. These genetically modified crops will put our organic farms at risk.
6. Monsanto has hurt numerous small farmers with their patents and lawsuits.
7. There is concern by several scientists that bacteria and viruses used to alter the DNA in plants have the potential to multiply in our gut causing serious health problems that are yet undetermined.
What can you do to protect your health? Stay informed! As of right now, Monsanto and their GMOs aren’t going anywhere but neither are the people concerned about these genetically modified crops. There is a growing movement across the nation called Millions Against Monsanto and they are demanding the FDA regulate Monsanto and their GMOs by requiring our food be labeled accordingly. The Organic Consumers Association has put together a “The Truth In Labeling Petition” for President Obama, which states we as consumers have a right to know whether or not our foods contain genetically engineered ingredients. If you want to know more about Monsanto, GMOs or the fight to have our food labeled you can find additional information at the following sites:
