Genetically Modified Organisms are NOT produced by cross-pollinating two wheat varieties in order to create a type of wheat that is hardier, nor by breeding two kinds of horses in order to encourage offspring with certain desired traits such as speed or hauling ability. Cross-breeding or hybridization also happens naturally without human help, as the wind and insects carry pollen, and well, animals will be animals. But dogs and cats cannot interbreed, corn cannot hybridize with rice, and fish can't produce offspring with sunflowers.

Genetically modified, genetically engineered or transgenic organisms are creations made in the lab, where genetic material from one plant or animal is inserted into a totally different species in order to "improve" the species in some way, and more importantly, to give the company the ability to patent and control the new life-form. Patenting genes is a huge business which threatens biodiversity, and gives power to the food companies to control the production and distribution of the food supply. The benefits of the genetic modifications are questionable. For example, GE soybeans were altered with the genes of Brazil nuts in order to improve the taste of the soybeans. The idea sounded good until those with nut allergies reacted to them. (Nut allergies can be fatal). In Europe, all GE foods must be so labeled. In North America, there is no labeling requirement for GE foods, so consumers have no way of knowing whether or not the food they are eating has been altered, and if so, in what way. The only way to be certain that you are avoiding GMO food is to choose organic.

GMO crops are frequently designed either to be resistant to particular pests,
or to be able to tolerate herbicides such as "Round Up". Many farmers initially believed that they would benefit from higher crop yields by switching to GMO crops, but found that any marginal benefit they may have gained was wiped out by the fact that instead of being allowed to save seed from the previous crop, they are required by the seed manufacturer to re-buy GMO seed each year.

Unfortunately, research seems to be showing that some of these crops like peas and potatoes are linked to allergies and cancer in mice and rats. It is important to understand that when these pesticides and herbicides are incorporated into the DNA of the crop, with each mouthful we are consuming those same pesticides and herbicides that are designed to kill. There is some speculation that it is genetically modified crops that are responsible for the decline in honey bees, as it was noticed by German researchers that the bacteria in the gut of baby bees was the same as that found in the pollen of the GMO canola crops.

Monsanto, the major player in GE foods, also created a "terminator gene" in 1998, which would stop a crop from producing viable seed. If this technology gets to market it would absolutely force the farmers to re-buy each year. As you have probably observed, crops tend to be grown outside, with access to wind and insects. I find it frightening to think that this "terminator gene" may naturally hybridize with non-GMO crops. We don't really know what might happen, but it seems at least possible that we may accidentally destroy our food supply if this gene were to get out of control. That said, any contamination of regular crops by GMO crops could be a big problem.

Food on grocery store shelves that is pretty much guaranteed to be genetically modified include soy, corn, canola, cotton, and now more and more rice. That means any non-organic derivatives of these products are also GMO, including corn starch, pop corn, high fructose corn syrup, soy protein and any other product made of soy, and all products made from canola oil. Over 70% of the food products in the grocery store contain GMO ingredients, and currently the only way to avoid GMO is to buy organic. When looking at the produce sticker on fruit and veggies, if the number has five digits beginning with the number 8, it is GMO.

Genetically Engineered food is a huge experiment in which we are the unknowing guinea pigs. Of course those involved will say it is safe - they have a vested interest. But the bottom line is we simply don't know how safe it is for us or the planet. GMO food is a complex topic encompassing many important ethical issues. For more information, see the movie The Future of Food, and to look up GMO issues in your part of the world, go to www.gmcontamination.org to research by country, crop and year known GMO incidents caused by contamination, illegal release, or negative agricultural side-effect.

Related Posts:

The soy controversy

Bee-population collapse, electric fields, and the implications for our health

Deceptive Food Labels


Chek, Paul;How to Eat, Move and Be Healthy! Chek Institute, San Diego, CA, 2004.

Garcia, Deborah Koons; The Future of Food DVD, Cinema Libre
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Smith, Jeffery, Spilling the beans - seeds of deception Institute for Responsible Technology June 2007.

Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology Crop Biotech Update Special Edition Jan. 2006.

Nordlee JA et al. Identification of a Brazil-nut allergen in transgenic soybeans N Engl J Med 1996 Mar. 14; 334(11): 688-92.

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Young, Emma, GM Pea causes allergic damage in mice New Science.Com Nov. 2005 11:18: 21

Greenpeace International

www.actionbioscience.org

www.DOEgenomes.org

www.wellnesstips.ca