Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are plants, animals, or microbes that have been genetically modified using biotechnology. GMO foods are also known as bioengineered foods.
Some examples of GMOs include:
1. Corn containing bacteria genes that cause the plant to produce an insecticide.
2. Fast-growing Atlantic salmon with genes from a Chinook salmon.
3. Soybeans with edited genes to increase the amount of oleic acid.
4. Hens with an inserted lethality gene that can kill their male offspring before they hatch.
Humans have practiced agriculture for over 12,000 years, selecting and breeding crops and animals to meet their needs. Traditional agriculture techniques include cross pollination or selective growing patterns. However, traditional techniques do not involve biotechnology.
Biotechnology and bioengineering is a recent development that has only been around since the 1970s. Genetic modification uses biotechnology to change an organism’s DNA or RNA or overcome natural reproductive barriers. This includes gene insertion, mutations, deletions and altered gene expression. These changes are powerful (can survive digestion) and are unstable. The modified genes can mutate, truncate, rearrange, and many more unpredictable and harmful outcomes.
Did you know there is no scientific consensus on if GMOs are safe?
There have not been any credible (not funded by biotechnology companies) long term studies on the effects of GMOs on human health. However, the increase in rate of disease correlates with the prevalence of GMOs in our food and products. When given the option, animals, presented with GMO feed and Non GMO feed, will choose the Non GMO feed and avoid the bioengineered feed.
So how do we avoid GMOs?
Unfortunately, only some GMOs legally have to be named on product labels in the USA. The most stringent bill yet was passed in 2022, however there are many loopholes such as not needing to list the ingredient if it isn’t in a “detectable” amount, i.e. under 2%. This occurs frequently with cornstarch and cooking oils. It is also the case with “highly refined foods” containing sugars. When “sugars” are listed in the ingredients, it is usually a combination of cane and beet sugars. Beet sugar is almost always genetically modified and cane sugar can be GMO as well. The majority of genetically modified foods are processed items. Additionally, the bill passed in 2022 does not apply to restaurants or any secondary food service locations; any of their ingredients can be genetically modified without any notification to the consumer. More than 65 countries require all products containing GMOs to be labeled. Most packaged and processed foods contain ingredients derived from corn, soy, canola and sugar beet, and the vast majority of those crops grown in North America are genetically modified.
Here are some things you can do to avoid foods containing GMOs:
1. Buy organic- certified organic foods cannot contain GMOs.
2. Look for foods labeled “Non GMO”, “USDA Organic” – The USDA requires foods that contain GMOs to be labeled “bioengineered food”.
3. Avoid processed foods-many processed foods are created with GMOs, especially foods with lots of preservatives and sweeteners.
4.Buy Local-local farmers are less likely to source from genetically modified seeds.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment to discuss adopting a GMO free lifestyle please call our office at 970-963-6500.