All mammals eat, including humans but most of us do not know the true source of the food or how it is grown. If you’ve eaten today, chances are you’ve had a food that’s been grown by a farmer, touched by science and Mother Nature. And do you agree that, because we all eat food we ought to know where our food comes from and how it is manufactured, instead of eating without knowing the source like blind folded guinea pigs. 80% of most processed foods in the U.S like soy, corn used to make flour and canola oil, cotton, Alfalfa, sugar beets, zucchini, squash, papaya has been genetically modified---- GM or GMO. (What you don’t know could potentially be harmful to you and others). So with this said allow me to introduce to you a food source called GMO, which stands for Genetically Modified Organism. It is also called Genetic Engineering (GE) or Genetic Modification (GM), which are one and the same. Genetic engineering involves the combination of two entirely unrelated species that could never cross or coexist in nature and thus require complex techniques to forcefully combine the genes. GMO is a food processing method introduced by Monsanto, where by a gene is taken from one specie and forced into entirely unrelated specie. And many times GMO food manufacturers will introduce foreign DNA into the primary plant species using one of three methods: E.coli bacteria combined with a soil bacteria to cause a tumor which allows the foreign bacteria to breach the host plant’s cells. Other times electricity is been used to rupture the plants cell walls, thus allowing the host or foreign DNA to enter the targeted crop. Also, “gene gun” blasts is used to engineer DNA directly into the plant’s cells, breaching the naturally-occurring barriers between species. And because the injected genes can come from bacteria, viruses, insects, animals or even humans, there could be both known and unknown/unintended consequences to consumers.
Presently, the majority of the food
consumed in the United States of America is genetically engineered or GMO
contaminated. Natural crops are being infected through cross-pollination; some
are developing a form of auto-immune dysfunction that is causing plants to die
before harvest. Fish, wildlife and insects are being born with defects,
infertility, or dying prematurely, either from direct exposure or by consuming
exposed prey. Monarch butterfly and bees that help in honey making and cross
pollination are also disappearing. In the United States, allergies and cancer
rate has also skyrocketed at a high rate as more people consume toxic GMO food
and carcinogenic food ingredients. Sadly, the Consumer of the food is us. Also
the number one company developing GMO plants and controlling the largest market
share of GMO crops in the world is the same company selling the Monsanto long
line of toxic products including Agent Orange, PCBs, DDT, Dioxin, Aspartame,
Saccharain, rBGH / rBST. The use of pesticide and herbicide by GMO kills
insects, weed and other pest but also is creating an adverse effect in the
natural soil and aquatic resource. Super weed and resistant pest are evolving
out of control.
On the other hand, "Companies that
are conducting genetic modification would have you believe that GMOs will feed
the world’s ever growing, hungry population—with greater crop yields, more
drought resistance, increased nutrition, and other benefits for humanity.
Instead nearly 100% of genetic modification is devoted to the increased use of
herbicides and pesticide, which these “ag-bio” corporations also develop and
sell. The majority of their research and development has been focused on
genetically altering plants to do one of two things: To produce their own
internal pesticide to kill or deter insects; and To remain alive after repeated
spraying of the food with weed-killers that are manufactured by these same
corporations)”.------Non GMO project.org
Genetically modified seeds have been
patented as intellectual property---owned, legally controlled and sold by the
GMO Corporation. This patent has enabled them to acquire ultimate ownership of
the most staple food product of agriculture which is corn, soy, cotton and
more. Also, since these two products
are used in almost 90% of processed food for humans, and in 100% of the grain
fed to (non-organic) animals raised for meat, they also control the safety of
food farm animals are feed daily and what the consumer eats, especially for
those who can’t afford the cost of organic food. So the question to ask is what
is the real motive of the GMO food companies? Is it to create healthy sustainable food
source or is it for profit, economic control and sole ownership. It could be
both but "the most common argument in favor of GMO as a healthy food
source is saying that “humans have been genetically engineering species for
hundreds of years,” resulting in larger corn plants, dog breeds that serve
unique purposes, seedless grapes, and the like. But this too is another
misleading statement. What humans have been “doing for centuries” is called hybridization.
Hybridization is NOT genetic engineering".
Currently, there have been no studies in
the U.S to determine if the genes, herbicides and pesticides that are used in
the genetic engineering food process are healthy and safe sustainable source of
food once it reaches our dinner plate and finds its way into our body. No long-term testing has been performed to
assess the impacts of any of these toxic substances — neither on human health
nor on the environment. To date, no American scientist has investigated the
levels of toxic residues in GMO foods. Because scientists who study genetically
engineered crops are ostracized if their research refutes to promote GMOs in a
positive light.
Despite the lack of
human studies, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the
Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
have all determined that genetically modified food is “the same as, or
substantially equivalent to, substances commonly found in food.” Which means
GMO foods are not required to undergo specific safety tests prior to entering
the market? If the makers of the GM foods claim that they are safe, the FDA has
no further questions. These three groups play a role in bringing GM products to
grocery store shelves. The EPA rates GM plants for their effects on the environment
and the USDA decides whether the plant is safe to grow -- it won't harm other
plants or animals. The FDA decides whether the plant will make anyone who eats
it sick. The FDA says “companies can label foods on their own to say they are
or aren’t GM, provided they keep it truthful”. And that is the nature of
quality of control FDA is exercising to protect the consumer, no further
investigation, questioning or testing. Hence,
food companies like Non-GMO project includes their seal “non-GMO verified” on
the product to help consumer shop healthy. Nature’s Path and Gerber baby food
chose to use non-GM ingredients. The fast food chain Chipotle removed GM foods
from its menu. Whole Foods Market promises to label all GM products at its U.S.
and Canadian stores by 2018. We the consumer have the right to know GM food are
safe. Countries that require labels for GM foods include China, Australia, and
the European Union. But the U.S. doesn't make food companies mark products with
GM ingredients. So it’s no surprise many Americans don’t realize they’re eating
them.
In conclusion, the bottom line is, if you
live (and eat) in the U.S., unless it’s otherwise stated -- or certified
organic it is mostly likely that you’re a consumer of GM food. Makers who don’t
use GM ingredients clearly say so on labels. We are the consumer of the food
produced, Franken foods or a way to feed the world, you agree consumers have a
right to know what's on their plates. The impact of GMOs on our soil,
environmental resources and on health is both an individual and a Macro concern.
A few things you can do to protect yourself from toxic food:
- Know the source----do research it, use your instincts and test it.
- Two, buy organic fruit & vegetable, Kosher or Non-GMO verified products
- You can grow your own vegetables & herbs
- Read ingredient label on the products you buy.
- Become a vegetarian----avoid grain fed animals used for meat.
- Choose healthy and sustainable products.
- Know which products are mostly GMOs and avoid them whenever you can.
- Make your health #1 priority. Live healthy
- Find local farmers who use organic methods of farming that does not include carcinogenic fetilizers, herbicides and pesticides.
- Get to know your body---how you react to certain food and Avoid buying soy or corn products like canola oil unless it organic. Consider NON-GMO verified, kosher or an alternative products whenever you can.
Live passionately & consciously ------share with others what you know.
Sources Citation:
Paturel, Amy. “Truth about GMOs” web, 7th
February 2015. http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/truth-about-gmos
“Agricultural Crops That Have a Risk of Being GMO”:
NonGmo Facts, web, 8th February 2015. http://www. nonGmoproject.org
Specter, Michael. “Seeds of Doubt” Annals of Science,
August 25, 2014 Issue, Web, 8th February 2015. http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/08/25/seeds-of-doubt
Foods that kill and Foods that Heal.
Foods that kill and Foods that Heal.
Where can you go to find more information on GMO and Non-Gmo projects?
Posted by NontoxicLifestyle.org to inform and educate.
Onyinye A is a freelance writer who specializes in nontoxic self improvement, green-friendly living, whole health remedies, holistic pet care, nontoxic lifestyle (preventing cancer, illness and toxicity) and everything related to detox, Natural health and organic living.
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