managedmacros

Genetically modified organisms (GMO) can apply to plants or animals but lately we are hearing in about our foods. Daily news is headlined with the growth, the controversy and concern of genetically modified (GM) foods. This controversy has been making headlines for years and seems to be developing quite strongly in the consumers interests. The rise of GM foods affects us...the consumer, the producers, farmers, key playing corporations, the environment, scientific community and a stream of corporate attorneys.

The beauty of controversy is there are two sides and knowing both sides allows you to form a strong onion. I encourage you to seek your own information as it is vast. 

What is GM foods??

GMO's be produced by gene cloning methods in which a non-native gene is introduced and expressed in a new organism. Generally the new protein has also been somewhat modified, or engineered, for proper expression in the new host. 

For example: 

Tomatoes and strawberries are now engineered with a gene from the artic charr, a fish that can survive in freezing waters, to prohibit frost in these fruits. 

Corn, soya beans and sugar cane have also been genetically modified by scientists so they are able to tolerate crop spray.

Scientists have genetically modified sweet corn so that it produces a poison which kills harmful insects

What you should know:

Countries worldwide have taken stands against GM foods by banning them for their populations safety which includes the growing and importation.   Such countries include; Asia, Europe and some states within the United States.

The FDA does not regulate GM foods.  The FDA's position is that GM foods are substantially equivalent to unmodified, " natural" foods, and therefore not subject to FDA regulation, therefore it does not require labeling.

Mansanto is the worlds largest producer of GE seed. This is the same corporate giant that gave us DDT, Agent Orange, Round Up, Round Up ready seeds, and injected our cows with  rBGH (recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone).  

A Monsanto official told the New York Times, October 25, 1998, that the corporation should not have to take responsibility for the safety of its food products. "Monsanto should not have to vouchsafe the safety of biotech food," said Phil Angell, Monsanto's director of corporate communications. "Our interest is in selling as much of it as possible. Assuring its safety is the FDA's job."

Hmmmm....so if the FDA is not doing it and Monsanto is not doing it...the I stress to you the importance of investigating the risks of these foods that we eat daily on an unknowingly basis.

We have a right to know what is in the food we eat, where it comes from and who is producing it. Be informed. Be healthy.

Coming soon. Part II. The dangers of GM Foods.

Good info sources:

 http://www.organicconsumers.org/
http://bytestyle.tv/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsanto