The Truth about Genetically Engineered (GMO) Food!!
Genetically modified organisms, which are termed as GMOs, are produced when a gene from one species is shifted to another, creating something strange that is not seen in nature. A massive percentage of domestic crops (up to 85% of soybean) have DNA that was modified in a laboratory, yet it is very impossible to predict which food items contain the genetically engineered ingredients. GMOs are harmful for your health, community, farmers and environment. Here’s why:
“The health consequences of eating genetically modified organisms are largely unknown.”
Genetically engineered foods have not been proven to be safe to have and they may lead to unpredictable and unwanted consequences. When trans-fats were introduced, corporations fought to get them onto your grocery things and it is only after decade this food has been proven to be unhealthier. Many researchers are worried that the genetically engineer foods, once consumed, may pass their mutant genes to bacterium in the digestive system. How this new strains of bacteria may influence our body systems’ balance is not known. However these foods have many side effects including many allergies, problems in reproduction system etc.
“Food items that contain GMOs are unlabeled in America”
The Parts of Europe, Australia, Japan and some other countries have banned GMO’s, because they recognized that insufficient long term researches and testing may be concealing disastrous health defects.
“Genetic engineering reduces genetic diversity”.
When genes are very different, they are more vigorous. Plants with lower genetic diversity cannot able to handle drought, fungus invasions or insects when compared to natural plants, which could have terrible results for farmers and communities dependent on GMOs crops for survival.
“Once the mutant genes are out of the bag, there is no going back”
Genetically modified organisms pollute existing seeds with their changed material, passing on modified characteristics to non-target species. This develops a new strain of plant that was never planned or meant in the laboratory. In North Dakota, recent researches show that 80 percent of wild canola plants examined contained at least one transgenic feature. In Japan, modified bacteria developed a new amino acid which was not found anywhere in nature. It was used in protein drinks that caused severe mental and metabolic damage to many people. Therefore, Japan banned GMOs.
“GMOs are not the answer for global food security”
Genetically modified crops have proven no increase in production and no education in pesticide use. Mostly other farm technologies have proven much more successful and even “Monsanto” acknowledge that its genetically engineered crops yield less than ordinary farming.
“GMOs require massive amounts of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides”
These things are harmful, and should not be consumed or allowed to include into our water supply. But everything has been shifting to commercial thinking rather than a care for people.
“Genetically engineered foods have not been proven to be safe, but the few studies conducted they are strange”
The body parts of rats that ate genetically modified potatoes showed signal of chronic wasting, and female rates had a diet of herbicide-resistant corn gave birth to impeded and infertile pups.
“Big biotech firms have very sketchy track records”
These huge biotech institutions have a history of toxic contamination, misleading the public and charging small farmers when their patented seeds blew across the fence. Biotech firms sell infertile seeds to farmers which the seeds are only useful for one season. Because the plants that grow would not be able to reproduce. So that farmers have to buy new seeds every year instead of using the previous year’s yield.
In a nutshell, genetically modified organisms have not been shown in any way to be safe, and most of the researches are actually inclining to the other direction, which is why many of the countries have banned these things whose DNA has been genetically modified. But in many other places, it’s still not banned. So it’s your responsibility to check before you buy.
Thanks for your informative post. Considering the growth of world population, genetic techniques may be indispensable for providing the population with enough food, but safety must always be considered as a priority.
Hi,
I agree it's safety first, then team work. I believe that growing in permaculture style setups is going to be one of the best ways to provide food security. It is truly amazing what people can do with these principals and techniques. If cities were designed using permaculture principles we would have an abundantly healthy world because people would have access to better quality fresh food and it would take fewer resources to get it to them.
Blessings, Safiyah
Thanks a lot! I think they'll never be banned at my or any over country.
Besides, I was thinking it might be a good thing to decrease the future population. Maybe good, maybe not. Unfortunately, we don't know the truth.
It's good to see a post here that deserves to be on the trending page.
Excellent work.
It blows my mind that GMO and irradiated food does not have to be labeled in North America. Corporate interests in mind I am sure!
Bullshit. Unscientific. Stupid. "GMOs require massive amounts of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides" - quite the contrary! The so-called "natural" ones require these. Not a single link to any scientific research. Just a lie
Here is a study showing Glyphosate (which is sprayed on to roundup ready crops) causes gluten intolerances and it is also a carcinogen, just look at the chemical suits the guys spraying the stuff have to wear... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3945755/
Do your research instead of name calling. Facts are facts, and calling names does not change them. If you want the links, it is now easier than ever for you to get on your own computer, the one on which you are reading this now, and look these things up yourself. You might also look up the ad hominem fallacy, and fallacies in general.
My links show clearly that GMO is harmless
Oh, well then let's ll just go home, problem solved. Your links just saved the day!
Look again.
Glyphosphate is the common pesticide injected into the GMO seed to make it resistant pests. The water that the crops are grown with is treated with this chemical too. No only are we tampering with nature when we alter the genetic structure of any organism, we are consuming the 'frankenstein' creation. I agree conventional crop growing also uses an abundance of pesticides too. It's better to buy organic and locally grown fruit and veg that have been grown using heirloom seeds. Or better still, grow your own. Its' possible, even if you have an apartment. Balconies and window sills are great for growing just about anything. :-) Try the book Permaculture in Pots, Juliet Kemp.
This technique has indeed both pros and cons. One side, it helps to grow the fruit very fast and healthy but on the other side, there are major health consequences of eating a stuff like that. First of all, the natural quality of fruit has been lost after using genetically enhanced chemical.Secondly this chemical interacts with various enzymes in human stomach which is not able to digest it properly. So, I am pretty sure these GMO's are not that good as it seems to be.
Thanks for the post @dommaraju
I think we should find our food sources somewhere else as well, to help the problem of overpopulation. For example insects. Western people are usually disgusted by the idea of eating them while in some countries in Asia and Africa it is eaten for a delicatessy. I have tried grasshoppers myself and believe me, they taste pretty great (I actually wrote an article about this hehe). I hope more people will try it out!
Awesome!! I really want to try insects. I was getting some things to try to start raising crickets but got busy with other things. I think it really is so important to consider the greater ecosystem in our actions and choices.
You do have to consider the foods that are GMO's that are never labeled. So there is a good chance that just because its banned doesn't mean its not in our current food supply. Just because its labeled organic doesn't mean its organic. Also the idea behind GMO in our food was for human consumption solely.
GMO is legit. Would love to be able to buy GMO corn in germany.
Are you serious? How would you love to see your daughter start her periods at 6 years and your son grow beard and start having wet dreams at 5?
fkay21 sounds like a troll to me. If not, then people of the like should be given the opportunity to learn, and if they reject it, let them eat GMO poison to their hearts desire. The problem will fix itself as long as the intelligent and responsible are able to have the information to make wise decisions, labeling, for instance.
Interesting info about a scary topic. Thanks!
you can say that again @rainbowcake
this is really scary and those companies into GMO are heartless and after profit than human safety...
Nice comment though