The most widely grown genetically engineered crops, accounting for over 80% of all the genetically engineered crop acreage in Australia, are corn, cotton, soy and canola. Potatoes and tomatoes in processed foods may also come from genetically engineered seed.
So what are genetically modified foods?
The term GMOs (genetically modified organisms) refers to plants & crops that have been literally created, using molecular biology techniques, for human or animal consumption. By genetically engineering a crop, they are able to create plants QUICLKY with desired effects, such as resistance to herbicides or to possess a particular nutritional content. Plant geneticists are able to isolate a particular plant gene & insert that into the plant, what is scary is that they can not only transfer genes from one plant to another, but they are also able to use non-plant organisms, for example the use of Bacillus thuringiensis (a naturally occurring bacterium that produces crystal proteins that are lethal to insect larvae) in corn production, allowing the corn to produce it’s own pesticides against insects.
Why are they modifying our foods?
There are 2 main categories of genetically engineered crops now on the market: “Insect Resistant” and “Herbicide Tolerant”.
Herbicide Tolerant crops (which include corn, cotton, soybeans, sugar beet and canola) are crops that are genetically engineered to withstand direct application of herbicides. These herbicides would kill natural crop plants, but farmers are now able to spray weed killers directly onto genetically engineered herbicide-tolerant varieties. This could mean more chemicals onto our food and in our environment.
Insect Resistant crops (which include corn, cotton and potatoes) are also called ‘plant pesticides’, because the plant itself is a pesticide. As it grows, the plant produces an insecticide, killing insects when they feed on the crop. Industry claims that these genetically engineered crops will mean that fewer chemical insecticides are sprayed. But scientists have warned that insects will develop resistance in just a few years.
As well as creating crops that are Insect resistant & Herbicide tolerant, many crops have been created to resist diseases & weather conditions that they have to grow in. This means more crops, but are they necessarily better for us? Researchers are also currently working on ways to incorporate additional vitamins & minerals to strains of food as well as medicines and vaccines.
Sounds too good to be true – because it is!
At this stage, due to the rapid growth of GMO foods in our society, we are yet to completely understand the effects of these foods on our health. What is concerning though is that reports from farmers suggest that there is a direct connection between fertility problems with their animals that are fed on GM corn feed. Cows reproduction significantly decreased, whilst the offspring they did reproduce were unable to produce themselves. Laboratory testing of rats & mice that had been fed on GM soy also showed reproductive problems.
Reports on lab rats tested after being fed on GMO corn for periods of time discovered kidney lesions, cancer symptoms, poor blood pressure, increased blood sugar & kidney inflammation.
Monsanto, a GMO food producer, that is also responsible for the sugar substitute aspartame (see article on the dangers of sugar substitutes), is responsible for a genetically engineered bovine growth hormone (rBGH) which is injected into dairy cows to force them to produce more milk. Scientists have warned that significantly higher level (500%) or more of a potent hormone, Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF-1), in the milk and dairy products of injected cows, could pose serious hazards for human prostate, breasts & colon cancer. A number of studies have shown that humans with elevated levels of IGF-1 in their bodies are much more likely to get cancer.
Be informed!
Obviously in knowing just these small details, it suggests that you should be aware and put some thought into what you are putting into your mouth. Food is best in its natural state, the way it is intended to be consumed. Fresh ORGANIC fruit, vegetables & meat are free from genetic modification.
Make sure you are reading labels; in Australia legislation was passed in 2000 requiring the labeling of genetically engineered foods. The US may soon be the only country in the world that does NOT require the labeling of genetically modified foods.
Read labels on packaged food (that’s what they are there for!!) You want to keep an eye on foods with these ingredients:
Corn: corn oil, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, cornstarch, and corn meal
Soy: soy protein, soy lecithin, soy oil, soy sauce, and soy isolates
Canola: canola oil
Cotton: cottonseed oil
The easiest way of course, eat fresh, eat organic & eat SUPERFOODS!
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