GMO’s: A Common Sense Perspective

GMO stands for genetically modified organism. To simplify this complicated biotechnological science, I will briefly discuss four conflicts associated with these food sources. GMO’s are engineered as:

• seeds with genetic coding capable of defending themselves from insects

• crops resistant to herbicides

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CONFLICT #1

One of the major claims for development was the need to create greater crop yields to “feed the world” in the future. One of the most recent studies put out by the National Academies of Sciences-Engineering-Medicine claimed, “we could find no evidence from USDA [U.S. Department of Agriculture] data that genetic engineering has increased the rate at which U.S. crop yields are increasing.”

CONFLICT #2

The National Academies of Sciences-Engineering-Medicine defines itself as, “the nation’s preeminent source of high-quality, objective advice on science, engineering, and health matters.” Conflict #2 relates to the fact that this organization receives millions of dollars of funding from Big Business including Monsanto and DuPont (two organizations with monetary interests in genetic biotechnology.) These companies have also been given board positions overseeing the studies. In addition, the authors of many of these research publications have financial ties directly with the biotechnology industry.

CONFLICT #3

The FDA’s (Food and Drug Administation) authority to mandate (on a federal level) the labeling of food ingredients is based solely on a “danger to the public” criteria. Since the studies they base their decisions on have not produced this “standard,” they do not have the authority to mandate that food manufacturers place the GMO ingredients on the labels. The states, however, do have the right through legislative authority to mandate the labeling of GMO ingredients. If for no other reason than TRANSPARENCY, why would the states legislators propose legislation mandating the REMOVAL OF THE WORDS GMO FROM ALL PRODUCTS? If these products are safe as reported by our government, regulatory agencies and “researchers” why is there such concern to create a cloak of non disclosure about GMO ingredients?

CONFLICT #4

If GMO’s added “value” to farmers and consumers of these products why have 30+ countries banned them altogether? The list includes:

Algeria (since 2000), Madagascar (since 2002), Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Bhutan, Saudi Arabia, Belize, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Malta, Cyprus, Greece, Bulgaria, Russia, Serbia, Croatia, Italy, Denmark, Hungary, Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Luxembourg, Ukraine, Norway, Switzerland

Without going into the details of the possible dangers and ethical conflict of this FOOD technology , one must ask, “does it make sense to consume a product with so much controversy?” “How many times have we been assured of the safety of products and chemicals only to learn decades later our science “unfortunately was inaccurate?”

The best way to AVOID GMO is by purchasing NON GMO and ORGANIC FOODS. Yes, this means your food budget will increase in times where budgetary constraints may already be bursting at the seams. If you value your health and wish to exclude yourself from this giant human laboratory experiment, I encourage you to consider avoiding purchasing GMO foods.

LOOK FOR THESE LABELS ON THE FOODS YOU PURCHASE

FOR EVERYONE’S INFORMATION:

The following is a list of the 8 Most Common GMO Crops:

• Alfalfa (first planting 2011)

• Canola (approx. 90% of U.S. crop)

• Corn (approx. 88% of U.S. crop in 2011)

• Cotton (approx. 90% of U.S. crop in 2011)

• Papaya (most of Hawaiian crop; approximately 988 acres)

• Soy (approx. 94% of U.S. crop in 2011)

• Sugar Beets (approx. 95% of U.S. crop in 2010)

• Zucchini and Yellow Summer Squash (approx. 5,000 acres)

The following is a list of Common Ingredients Derived from GMO Risk Crops:

Amino Acids, Aspartame, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Ascorbate, Vitamin C, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Ethanol, Flavorings (“natural” and “artificial”), High-Fructose Corn Syrup, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Lactic Acid, Maltodextrins, Molasses, Monosodium Glutamate, Sucrose, Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP), Xanthan Gum, Vitamins, Yeast Products.

Tags: agriculture, alternatives, attitude, disease, food, GMO, Monsanto, organic