Genetically modified foods (GM foods) are those that have been
produced from genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. These changes in
the food come from specific changes in the foods DNA done through
genetic engineering. These techniques are done to produce extra
nutrients, faster growth and resistance to viruses or bacteria. Should
we be wary of such foods? We probably should, simply because we don't
know enough about GMOs. There has been little scientific testing on
humans, and at least in some cases the results on animals has not been
good.
We are not talking about hybridization here, as sometimes that is confused with GMOs. Hybridization crosses dissimilar individual organisms to produce the best of each organism. For instance, combining a type of plant that has disease resistant qualities with one with great production capacity, the end product is a plant that is disease resistant with greater yields. This crossbreeding of different species of plants has been done for centuries, and has done wonders to increase food production over this time.
GMOs, on the other hand, are organisms that are altered at the gene level, and it is an entirely different ballgame. Genes from a plant, animal, or virus can be inserted into another organism, usually a plant, thereby irreversibly altering its genetic code. The health risks of genetic altered food have not been clearly identified, and few studies have been done evaluating the impact on our health. If you are wondering why we humans are basically being used as human guinea pigs, there is big money involved, both with producers who are overnight dramatically increasing their yields along with the biotech industry.
Laws in the United States do not force foods that have genetically modified ingredients to be labeled, and it is estimated that as much as two-thirds of the food in grocery stores contain some genetically engineered ingredients. That is where organic foods come in. Unless you purchase only organic food, more than likely you will something that is genetically modified, particularly if they have ingredients containing corn or soybeans.
So why is organic food your safest options? If you don't want to tempt fate by having genetically modified foods in your diet, genetically engineered materials or seeds are not allowed in food production or organic farming. This is really the only way you can be sure to avoid GM food. And don't be drawn in to the label that says its "natural", as it has no meaning. "Natural" does not mean organic and genetically altered foods can still carry the "natural" label.
Finally, support any legislation that supports labeling of GM foods. Until now the biotech industry has lobbied to keep any labels off those foods, but consumers should at least know how there food has been produced.
We are not talking about hybridization here, as sometimes that is confused with GMOs. Hybridization crosses dissimilar individual organisms to produce the best of each organism. For instance, combining a type of plant that has disease resistant qualities with one with great production capacity, the end product is a plant that is disease resistant with greater yields. This crossbreeding of different species of plants has been done for centuries, and has done wonders to increase food production over this time.
GMOs, on the other hand, are organisms that are altered at the gene level, and it is an entirely different ballgame. Genes from a plant, animal, or virus can be inserted into another organism, usually a plant, thereby irreversibly altering its genetic code. The health risks of genetic altered food have not been clearly identified, and few studies have been done evaluating the impact on our health. If you are wondering why we humans are basically being used as human guinea pigs, there is big money involved, both with producers who are overnight dramatically increasing their yields along with the biotech industry.
Laws in the United States do not force foods that have genetically modified ingredients to be labeled, and it is estimated that as much as two-thirds of the food in grocery stores contain some genetically engineered ingredients. That is where organic foods come in. Unless you purchase only organic food, more than likely you will something that is genetically modified, particularly if they have ingredients containing corn or soybeans.
So why is organic food your safest options? If you don't want to tempt fate by having genetically modified foods in your diet, genetically engineered materials or seeds are not allowed in food production or organic farming. This is really the only way you can be sure to avoid GM food. And don't be drawn in to the label that says its "natural", as it has no meaning. "Natural" does not mean organic and genetically altered foods can still carry the "natural" label.
Finally, support any legislation that supports labeling of GM foods. Until now the biotech industry has lobbied to keep any labels off those foods, but consumers should at least know how there food has been produced.
GMOs are now an important aspect of deciding what should be part of our healtheybalanceddiet. We still don't know if they are truly healthy, but we do know that organic food is. Read more on our website. Rich Carroll is a writer and avid health advocate now living in Chicago.
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