Genetically modified
foods are those foods that have been altered at the genetic level in order to
produce a form that has some new function or trait that food producers find
desirable. Also referred to as GMO's, these foods have been the subject of a great
deal of controversy. There is no doubt that as the science of genetic
engineering advances, the debate will become more heated.
Selective breeding occurs when genes from two
varieties of the same species are combined to produce a third variety with the
favored characteristics. This practice has been carried on for thousands of
years to produce new versions of crops with higher yields and hardier plants,
and livestock that provides more meat.
Genetic engineering is a newer way to modify foods and
involves the transfer of a single gene between two varieties of the same
species or between two different species to produce a plant or animal that has
characteristics that are more desirable to food producers. These transferred
genes may come from plants, animals-including humans-bacteria, insects, or even
viruses.
Another form of genetic
engineering is cloning, where an animal is created through laboratory methods
rather than by breeding two animals. At this time, in the U.S., cloned animals
are not allowed to be marketed as food, but their offspring may be sent to
market with no distinction from their conventionally produced cousins. The FDA
does not consider meat from animal produced by cloning to be any different from
naturally produced meat.
There are a number of
reasons why food producers have introduced genetically modified foods into our
food supply.
*Higher yield due to
genetically engineered resistance to crop destruction by disease, pests and bad
weather;
*Longer shelf life for
foods that would normally spoil, but can be engineered to replace the genes
that contribute to shorter shelf life;
*Higher profits for food
producers since higher yields and longer shelf life mean more money and less
waste;
*Improved nutrition
since foods can be genetically altered to contain higher nutrient content;
*Feeding the hungry is
more likely with higher yields and improved nutrition;
*Foods can be used for
delivery of drugs when genetically modified to contain a certain drug for a
specific population.
Genetic engineering
produces GM foods.
Although selective
breeding has been going on for many years, the introduction of genetically
engineered foods and cloning has added a whole new dimension to the issue of
genetically modified foods. It is one thing to transfer genes within a species,
but the genetic transfer between species has given rise to a heated controversy
that ranges from the ethical considerations, to environmental concerns to its
long-term impact on health.
There are some questions
asked by opponents of genetic engineering.
*Should we play God by
interfering with the natural creation and, if we do, what will be the
consequences?
*If human genes are
inserted in another species as part of genetic engineering, when does that
species become human?
*What will happen to our
delicately balanced ecosystem when these genetically altered organisms, which
have no natural place, become part of it?
*Will viruses and
bacteria that are created for genetic engineering purposes, mutate and create a
dangerous health risk or be used to produce biological weapons?
*Will there be other
unintended consequences of genetic engineering such as the creation of new
allergens or environmental toxins?
*What is the long-term
effect on our health of consuming genetically modified foods, and are we
willing to be the guinea pigs?
*When pesticides and
herbicides become part of a plant through genetic engineering, does that mean
we will be consuming more of them, rather than having the opportunity to wash
them off?
*Should we use genetic
engineering to produce a longer shelf life for fresh produce when it will still
lose nutritional value even though it looks fresh?
*By the time we know
some of the effects of genetic engineering, will it be too late to rein it in,
since it will be so widespread and integrated into the food supply?
There is another
viewpoint.
Proponents of genetic
engineering do not view these issues as problems, and generally believe that
the benefits far outweigh what they consider the minimal or non-existent risks.
In addition, they often characterize opponents of genetic engineering as
elitists who have never experienced the hunger and disease that abound in less
developed parts of the world, and which genetically modified foods may well
address.
What about public
opinion?
Still, most people have
an unfavorable view of genetically modified foods, particularly those that have
been genetically engineered or cloned. When asked, most would prefer that all
genetically engineered foods be labeled as such.
What does the FDA say
about GM foods?
Most foods that have
been genetically modified, either by selective breeding, genetic engineering or
cloning, are not identified in the U.S. food supply, since the FDA does not
consider them to be different from their original source. On the other hand, if
a food has been substantially changed, such as in nutrient content or by the
addition of a potential allergen, then the FDA requires that it be labeled
accordingly.
What can you do to avoid
GM foods?
Of course, it is almost
impossible for the average consumer to avoid all foods that have been modified
through selective breeding, since it has been going on for a very long time.
However, if you wish to consume a minimum of GM foods, and particularly
genetically engineered foods, here are some tips:
*Buy organic. Foods that
are labeled as 100% organic may not be produced using genetically modified
organisms. Don't be fooled by products made with some organic ingredients,
since they could also have some genetically modified ingredients.
*Buy locally from
sources you know. The farmers' market is a great place to buy foods that have
been grown locally. Talk to the vendors about their growing practices. Sign up
for a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) with a local farm, where you can
share in the crops, which are often produced organically with non-GMO seed.
*Grow some of your own
food. Even a container garden on your patio will decrease the amount of GM food
that you are consuming. There are even some suburbanites that are keeping a few
chickens to meet their need for fresh, organic eggs and poultry.
*Buy foods from
companies that label their products as Non-GMO. Labeling is voluntary, so any
company that is willing to label their food is a better bet. The health foods
section of your local grocery store will generally have brands such as Amy's,
Organic Valley, Stonyfield Farm, Eden, Bob's Red Mill, Health Valley Organic,
Cascadian Farms, Hain, Muir Glen Organic.
*Limit consumption of
corn products, since it is the most ubiquitous GM ingredient in foods.
Products, besides corn itself, that are made from corn include, corn syrup and
other corn sweeteners such as fructose and cornstarch-often listed as
"starch" or modified food starch on food labels.
*Other foods that are
usually GM that you can limit or avoid are non-organic soy products, canola
oil, cottonseed/rapeseed oil and sugar made from sugar beets rather than sugar
cane.
Keep informed about the
changes in your food supply
It is important that you
stay informed about what is happening to the foods you eat. As science
advances, you can expect that more GM foods will appear on grocery shelves. It
is up to you to decide what, if anything, that means to you.
I am convinced that what
we eat and how we eat plays a major role in how we feel and particularly, how
well we are. For this reason, I would like as many people as possible to become
more aware of what healthy eating involves, and of the extreme benefits that
can be found in being conscious of what and how we eat.
The Harmful Effects of Genetically Modified Foods
Eat and be healthy with my warmest regards,
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