GMO 101

Why avoid GMO?

Genetically modified organisms are foods that have had foreign genes inserted into their DNA to give them traits that are not native to the species. For example, some genetically modified plants contain DNA that has been modified to cause the plant to repel pests. More likely, it has been modified to withstand heavy spraying of herbicides or pesticides - chemicals made by the same company that sells GMO seeds - such as Monsanto

DNA codes for proteins. Modified DNA has the potential to code for unnatural proteins that can cause health problems in those that can consume them, including life-threatening allergies and possibly cancer. GMO can grow into foods with altered nutritional value, or toxic properties.

The pollen containing DNA from genetically modified crops is blown by the wind to other fields, contaminating normal crops and altering the natural environment.

Genetically modified fish (seafood tampered with in order to grow bigger faster) will eventually breed with natural fish, creating strange mutations that are irreversible, causing natural fish to become extinct. The salmon frankenfish has been approval by the FDA but so far its distribution is being held up by the US Congress pending further study.

Some GMO seeds, particularly the soybean seeds sold by Monsanto, are programmed to self-destruct, forcing farmers to buy new seeds every year from this biotech giant.

GMO do not have to be labeled in the United States.  Monsanto is spending a lot of money to fight pending labeling legislation.

Many European nations have banned genetically modified crops, or have at least imposed labeling laws on the few approved GMO

Corn and soy are two crops that are most likely to be genetically modified (90%). That means that anything made with these crops most likely contain GMO – such as high fructose corn syrup, bakery items, condiments, frozen dinners, fast food, soymilk, cereal, canned vegetables, and more.

The only way to avoid GMO with any certainty is to buy organic foods, which are prohibited by law to be genetically modifed. The only way to prevent these organisms from eventually contaminating even organically grown food is to refuse to buy them and decrease demand.