GMOs - GM - NOs

Many of us have heard the term “GMO,” but how many of us actually know the true meaning of this term and all that it entails? 

A GMO, or Genetically Modified Organism, is an animal, plant or bacteria which has had its genetic make-up altered. Gene modification is designed to improve the quality and nutrition of the organism, and increase the maturation and yield, according to the Human Genome Project. Not everyone is convinced, however, that GMO foods are safe, claiming that they may cause harm to the environment and the health of the people who eat them. (http://www.naturalhealthstrategies.com/dangerous-genetically-modified-foods.html) It is important to know which foods have been genetically modified so you can make an informed decision. The most commonly altered crops are soybeans, corn (in 2010, over 63% of corn was genetically modified), canola and potatoes. Rice, tomatoes and many other crops are now products of genetic modification as well. 

GMOs are created in the laboratory (http://stopmonsanto.wordpress.com/2010/07/18/how-gmos-are-created/) when scientists isolate genes that are responsible for certain traits in one plant and insert those genes into other plants, or add genes from non-plant organisms plants. One of the most common non-plant organisms utilized is the bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, or B.t., which creates crystals toxic to insect larvae. One example that has made frequent headlines is the introduction, into plants, of bacterial genes to act as natural pesticides in order to eliminate the need for chemical pesticide use. There is public concern over the consequences of ingesting these pesticides (http://www.livestrong.com/article/228433-the-toxic-dangers-of-gmo-foods/) that cannot be “washed off” as we attempt to do with sprayed, chemical pesticides. Fear of the unknown is another reason for the reluctance of the public to embrace the use GMOs. This concern has been validated whenever a specific case proves that technology has gone awry, and is widely publicized. Examples of this are the mass destruction of non-target insect populations (http://www.saynotogmos.org/insects.htm) like Monarch caterpillar larvae and honey bee populations by the use of genetically modified seeds. In addition, there are countless claims of toxicity (http://digitaljournal.com/article/324565) and carcinogenicity (http://www.naturalnews.com/029041_GMOs_toxicity.html) of biotech foods, depending on the individual products.

Those opposed to GMOs have many valid points. Among them are the following. Safety is an issue including the danger of transference of allergens and antibiotic resistance markers to humans.  Threats to environmental safety are also to be considered such as unintended transference (http://www.saynotogmos.org/insects.htm) through cross-pollination, and the unknown effects on the insect population, soil, and the potential loss of flora and fauna biodiversity.  Domination (http://www.newfrontier.com/asheville/bad_seed.htm) by monopolizing companies such as Monsanto (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf0j2Y4E1Dw) and DuPont, “bio-piracy,” and dependence on powerful countries by Third World countries (http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/20409) are all concerns of those opposed to GMOs. World food production could potentially be controlled by just a few companies. The development of certain countries could be postponed or stunted because of their dependency on industrialized nations. There is also the concern regarding foreign exploitation of natural resources (biopiracy). The ethics of GMOs are also a huge concern for opponents. Do we violate the natural intrinsic makeup of organisms? Do we feel we are entitled to tamper with nature by mixing genes of other species? Should we produce “frankenfoods” (http://www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/submitted/schulman/tomatoes.html) simply because we can? And, what may this lead to? Will this lead to widespread animal or even human genetic tampering--cloning?(http://gmo.apocalypse2008-2015.com/GMO6.html) Where would we draw the line and at what cost-- monetarily and ethically? We must also wonder if any new advances will be ignored or skewed by the interests of the richer, more experienced GMO-producing nations.

Accurate labeling of GMO foods is an issue that we all need to be aware of, if we are to take responsibility for our most basic means of maintaining our health. Unfortunately, the battle is raging over the duty of companies, such as Monsanto, to make consumers aware of which products are genetically modified. This past election resulted in Monsanto defeating California’s request for mandatory product labeling. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/07/proposition-37-gmo-labeling_n_2090112.html) Many have asked, “Was Prop 37 defeated on the basis of scientific study, and was consumer welfare taken into account? Or did “big business” simply win again due to money and power?”  Currently, 29 states have formed a coalition to demand mandatory GMO labeling. (http://foodfreedomgroup.com/2012/10/20/us-coalition-of-states-link-campaigns-for-mandatory-gmo-labeling/ ) Over one million Americans (http://www.rodale.com/gmo-labeling) have united for a single cause, demanding that our government label our foods properly. 

Ohio’s own Dennis Kucinich has led the fight to demand that Monsanto label its genetically modified products.  Currently, many companies refuse to label GMO products for various reasons, including their dependency on monopolizing providers. This link provides a highly inclusive list (http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/13062-a-list-of-food-companies-that-hide-gmos) of those companies.  The FDA (http://www.non-gmoreport.com/articles/millenium/fdadisallowsgmo-freelabel.phphas) set up some newer guidelines in regard to the labeling of GMOs, but mandatory labeling is not in place at this time. Ohio is one of the states that is a part of the coalition to demand mandatory labeling. If you would like information on GMOs or wish to join in the fight to demand to know what you are eating, please email gmolabelingstatecoalition@gmail.com. for more information or to become involved. We need to become our own advocates for safe health and environmental preservation.