Exploring The Non-GMO Debate

GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are plants or animals created through gene splicing (also called genetic engineering, or GE). This experimental technology merges DNA from different species, creating combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and viral genes that cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding.

The key phrases here are experimental technology and genes that cannot occur in nature!

It’s scary to think that through experimental technology they can re-create their own version of nature. As we know for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. What we put into this world “man-made”, something in this world will be taken away. It is just the way the world works. The long-term consequences of this are just now surfacing and it is not a pretty picture.

The “non-GMO project” indicates that agricultural products are segmented into two groups: (1) those that are high-risk of being GMO because they are currently in commercial production, and (2) those that have a monitored risk because suspected or known incidents of contamination have occurred and/or the crops have genetically modified relatives in commercial production with which cross-pollination (and consequently contamination) is possible. *More information on these segments can be found on the Non-GMO website.

Here are some common ingredients derived from GMO Risk Crops; Amino Acids, Aspartame, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Ascorbate, Vitamin C, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Ethanol, Flavorings (“natural” and “artificial”), High-Fructose Corn Syrup, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Lactic Acid, Maltodextrins, Molasses, Monosodium Glutamate, Sucrose, Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP), Xanthan Gum, Vitamins, Yeast Products.

Now that we know what to look for, why should we care? With all the controversy circling mainstream media on genetically modified organisms it’s time to discuss and debunk some of the myths.

*The most common argument is we need GMO seeds to feed the world! This is simply not true. The reality: Sustainable agricultural practices are the answer to world hunger. GMO farming practices are not sustainable. Farmers who plant GMOs are not able to save their seeds from year to year due to patent infringement and poor fertility in the seeds. Therefore, after getting the first year of good harvests, the following year they must continue buying seeds, leading to perpetual debt. Not to mention the Terminator gene genetically and bred in the seeds.

*GMO foods are good for our health. FALSE. There is so much proof in this department; it is insulting that Monsanto would tell us otherwise. The French have proven GMO causes cancer. Other scientific research proves that GMOs cause birth-defects and miscarriage. GMO corn has been linked to organ failure. The list of genetically modified food’s damaging effects is long, and the evidence is continually mounting against it. GMO even changes our DNA via interference with our micro RNA!

Many bio technical companies want you to believe there is no nutritional difference between GMO product and those designed by nature. They will tell you that there is absolutely no nutritional difference between genetically modified food and its organic counterpart.

The reality: A shocking report released on the blog Moms Across America last March revealed that the nutritional differences in GMO vs non-GMO corn were astounding. The report was from the non-GMO corn company De Dell, in Canada. Not only are the nutritional values different, but the levels of poison in the corn are toxic:

• GMO Corn has 14 ppm of Calcium and NON GMO corn has 6130 ppm. 437 X more.
• GMO corn has 2 ppm of Magnesium and NON GMO corn has 113ppm. 56 X more.
• GMO corn has 2 ppm of Manganese and NON GMO corn has 14ppm. 7X more.

Almost everything we have eaten our entire life is genetically modified. The same is true for our parents and grandparents. For more than 10,000 years mankind has selectively bred plants and animals. However, what our ancestors did thousands of years ago, and smart farmers do today, is simply cross pollinate/breed different varieties of the same plant or animal. It is a low tech method that can occur naturally. This is elective breeding…Genetically modifying seeds is a different ballgame!

The way we see it, these genetically modified organisms are designed for resell and, to resist deadly poisons that kill everything else.  We must continue to educate each other and start voting with our fork, taking it all the way to the roots!!