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Does Genetically Modified Food Matter?

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Is Genetically Modified Food Better?

Genetically modified food is not a new topic but more and more people are expressing concerns about it. Did you know that you are probably eating GMO food whether you want to or not? Here in America, it can be mixed into the food supply without any notice. I thought it was time I took a closer look at it and that you might be interested as well.

Pro's of Genetically Modified Food

Genetically Modified Crops are better for the farmer and the grocer. If you modify cotton and soy, you can spray it with round-up and all the leaves will fall off so that you can harvest it easier. You can make it so that pests avoid it and it even appears to be more nutritious. I heard they are working on producing purple tomatoes that should be good for those with heart disease. At least that is the theory.

Modified food can be made to withstand frost and to have better color, sweetness, be bigger and have a longer shelf-life. It's more visually appealing and some think it tastes better too. Obviously it has wonderful economic benefits.

What's not to like about all that?

Cons of GM Food

When you start modifying the gene structure of food you are not just changing it like you would by selective breeding. Some of what happens in the lab introduces foreign molecules (like plastics) that man was never meant to consume.

What happens when a person is allergic to peanuts and a peanut gene is introduced into say corn. Suddenly he can be allergic to something that has always been safe to eat. Not only that, when genetic changes are made, it can take generations for the effects to be known. Are we selling our health for pest resistant food? If it's so wonderful, why won't they label it as such?

Some of the controversies surrounding genetically engineered foods include environmental safety, labeling and consumer choice and its potential to pollute the food chain through cross-pollination. Many people think that we are sitting on a time bomb that has the potential to destroy the Earth's ecology.

The latest thing I have read on genetically modified food was an article by Dr. Mercola. He said that corn, soybeans and cotton are big GM plants. They have changed them so that they can spray the crops with roundup which causes the leaves to fall off the plants to make harvesting easier. The problem is that a trace of roundup remains in the crops and in lab tests, even tiny amounts of roundup kills human cells. So, are these crops really safe?

It's Your Turn

They say 70 to 80% of what is in our supermarkets is genetically modified and we don't even know it. That makes me angry because it means that someone has decided that it's ok to feed me something that I don't necessarily want to eat. Some of the produce is labeled but as far as I know, the only way to truly avoid it is to buy organic which is generally more expensive. If it is so safe and wonderful, why do they have to sneak it into the food supply?

How do you feel about GM food? Is it safe? Do you mind eating it without knowing it?

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Yes, I think it is safe and not worth arguing over.

DiamondRN says:

Glenna, as a pharmacist with a strong biochemistry background, I have no problem with eating GM foods that have been properly tested. Good article. Bob Diamond R.Ph

Posted May 02, 2009

ArtByLinda says:

Honestly I didn't even know they were doing this. I'm sure they must test it, right?

Posted December 19, 2008

No, I consider it Frankenfood and try to avoid it.

grafixforacause says:

Your wallet is the most powerful weapon against GMO. By buying organic, you not only are taking away the power from the likes of Monsanto, but you are effectively lowering the cost of organic production by making it the more viable choice.
Locally we are seeing the effect of this at our local store, as more choose organic, the price difference has shrunk to the point where it is virtually the same.

Posted April 23, 2011

ratetea says:

I do not like the idea of GM food. I would support a FULL BAN on all GM food. At a bare minimum, I would support labelling so that I and others can choose to not buy it. I think it is so wrong that currently, we can't even tell what food is GM or has GM ingredients so we can't choose to avoid it even if we want to.

Posted March 11, 2011

Flynn_the_Cat says:

As a biologist, no I don't think it's safe. At least as it currently is. I have no ethical objections but time and again GMO have been proved to
1. Have negative and unexpected effects
2. contaminate other organisms' genomes!
3. be poorly controlled - expecially with wind-spread seed (for example, in the UK, a number of organic farms lost their certification due to contamination)
4. be done by companies out to make money, who don't actually know what they're doing.

Worse, most of the GMO crops existing are patented, often designed to be sterile or resistant to (as mentioned) Round Up - and therefore NEED it - and bankrupting a lot of farmers in 3rd world countries because they have to continue buying the seeds and the chemicals from the companies to survive, or their crops won't grow.

Posted September 11, 2010

kitty_ says:

"better color, sweetness, be bigger and have a longer shelf-life. It's more visually appealing and some think it tastes better too" better colour sweetness oh so now we think colour additives and artificial flavours are good for us? Yes of course they have a longer shelf life.. (just like junk food right?) how about we see those not complaining handle it after they find out it gives your fat cells a longer "shelf" life too... infact those chemicals will probably outlive your fat sorry ass.

Posted June 11, 2009

nightbear says:

Frankenfood might be strong, but I prefer to eat as natual as possible.

Posted December 20, 2008

 
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Our Food Depends On Future Farming Practices

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Genetically Modified Food In The Diet

Update

Dr. Mercola recently published an article saying that in Great Britain, fruit and vegetable allergies are on the rise and are actually overtaking peanut allergies. That is bad news because they are the basic building blocks of a good diet. He has a lot to say about possible causes and it's worth taking time to read it.
Fruit and Vegetable Allergies Are Soaring
GM Food a culprit?
Germany Bans Genetically Modified Corn
Do you think they would risk a Monsanto lawsuit if they weren't seriously concerned?

Franken Food?

Even if you think GMO food is ok. It only makes sense to test it before releasing it into the country's food supply. How many class action suits have been spawned because drugs weren't tested enough before being released into the mainstream population. Do we really want to play games with the genetic make-up of our food supply?

More Informative Sites on Genetically Modified Food

You owe it to yourself to find out the truth.

Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?
Comprehensive article outlining the issue
Dr. Mercola on Genetically Modified Food
Dr. Mercola has a lot on his site regarding genetically modified food.
Is Morgellon's Disease caused by GM Food?
Something is definitely wrong when you start growing plastic out of your skin.
Genetically Modified Cotton kills Soil Organisms
Whatever else might be true about GMO seed, if it destroys the soil, it is unsafe.
Monsanto Crop Failure in S. Africa
Monsanto stepped up to reimburse the farmers this time but what if they were really doing a trial test. What if they don't subsidize in the future? Would you want to take that chance with your friends and family? This is a major crop in S. Africa. With no exageration, if it fails there will be widespread famine.
Institute For Responsible Technology
An excellent site about genetically modified food and how to avoid it in the marketplace.
The Big GMO Cover-Up by Urban Garden Magazine
Excellent synopsis of GM Food and what it is doing to our health.
12/7/09 article in the Supermarket News
It's sad but whether or not GMO food is accepted by the mainstream shopper probably comes down to marketing.

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