According to an article by Kristen Philipkoski featured on the popular "Gadget Guide" blog, Gizmodo, there's a good chance the corn you just bought at the grocery store has been genetically modified. The most disturbing thing about this whole issue is the US government doesn't deem it necessary to label genetically modified foods, so there's no way to know for sure what we're eating.
What's a genetically modified organism, or GMO, you ask? According to the Non-GMO Project website:
GMOs (or “genetically modified organisms”) are organisms that have been created through the gene-splicing techniques of biotechnology (also called genetic engineering, or GE). This relatively new science allows DNA from one species to be injected into another species in a laboratory, creating combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.
Monsanto, the company producing the GMO corn, has been suing farmers and messing with the genetic makeup of seeds for decades. According to the Gizmodo article:
Monsanto's corn will look like any regular corn on the shelf, but it will be genetically altered to carry Bt toxin, which messes with insect's digestive systems and kills them, allowing farmers to forego pesticides.
I don't know about you, but I want to know what's in everything I eat, including produce. This non-disclosure GMO development makes growing a garden more appealing than ever. I've never relied on the FDA to keep me healthy, and this is just further proof that you have to be your own advocate and do your own research.
To be sure your fruits and vegetables are not GMO, look for 100% Organic labeling. The US government doesn't allow any food with this labeling to be genetically modified.
-------------------- UPDATE --------------------
It's been brought to my attention that it would be helpful if I shared some info about where to get organic seeds. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law are organic farmers, and I know they buy a lot of their seeds from Johnny's Selected Seeds. They've also recommended Seeds of Change brand seeds. Links to all these can be found below:
Seed Resources:
Johnny's Selected Seeds
Seeds of Change
General Info on Organic Seeds, Methods, and Current Issues:
Organic Seed Alliance
Organic.org
Finding Local Food:
Buy Fresh Buy Local - PA (for all you fellow PA residents)
The above link is specific to PA residents, but you can Google "Buy Fresh Buy Local" + Your State and find out if there's a local chapter.
-------------------- UPDATE #2--------------------
I just found an extremely informative article titled "How to Avoid Genetically Modified Foods" on WikiHow.com. Check it out!
2 comments:
Are the seeds treated as well?
Yes, the seeds are where it all starts. Genetically modified seeds produce genetically modified corn, as well as other foods like soybeans, alfalfa, canola and more.
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