Know the Difference Between Organic Foods and Genetically Modified Foods

Genetically modified foods (GM foods) are those that have been produced from genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. These changes in the food come from specific changes in the foods DNA done through genetic engineering. These techniques are done to produce extra nutrients, faster growth and resistance to viruses or bacteria. Should we be wary of such foods? We probably should, simply because we don't know enough about GMOs. There has been little scientific testing on humans, and at least in some cases the results on animals has not been good.

We are not talking about hybridization here, as sometimes that is confused with GMOs. Hybridization crosses dissimilar individual organisms to produce the best of each organism. For instance, combining a type of plant that has disease resistant qualities with one with great production capacity, the end product is a plant that is disease resistant with greater yields. This crossbreeding of different species of plants has been done for centuries, and has done wonders to increase food production over this time.

GMOs, on the other hand, are organisms that are altered at the gene level, and it is an entirely different ballgame. Genes from a plant, animal, or virus can be inserted into another organism, usually a plant, thereby irreversibly altering its genetic code. The health risks of genetic altered food have not been clearly identified, and few studies have been done evaluating the impact on our health. If you are wondering why we humans are basically being used as human guinea pigs, there is big money involved, both with producers who are overnight dramatically increasing their yields along with the biotech industry.

Laws in the United States do not force foods that have genetically modified ingredients to be labeled, and it is estimated that as much as two-thirds of the food in grocery stores contain some genetically engineered ingredients. That is where organic foods come in. Unless you purchase only organic food, more than likely you will something that is genetically modified, particularly if they have ingredients containing corn or soybeans.

So why is organic food your safest options? If you don't want to tempt fate by having genetically modified foods in your diet, genetically engineered materials or seeds are not allowed in food production or organic farming. This is really the only way you can be sure to avoid GM food. And don't be drawn in to the label that says its "natural", as it has no meaning. "Natural" does not mean organic and genetically altered foods can still carry the "natural" label.

Finally, support any legislation that supports labeling of GM foods. Until now the biotech industry has lobbied to keep any labels off those foods, but consumers should at least know how there food has been produced.

GMOs are now an important aspect of deciding what should be part of our healtheybalanceddiet. We still don't know if they are truly healthy, but we do know that organic food is. Read more on our website. Rich Carroll is a writer and avid health advocate now living in Chicago.

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A Look at Genetically Modified Organisms

A genetically modified organism is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. In other words; A GMO is the result of a laboratory process of taking genes from one species and inserting them into another in trying to get a desired trait or characteristic. Examples of some common organisms that have been genetically modified include bacteria and yeast, insects, plants, fish and even mammals. GMO's are the source of genetically modified foods as well. It is at this level that many consumers become concerned.

The question most commonly asked is; are genetically modified foods safe? What are the long-term health risks associated with consuming GMO products? Are the advantages worth the potential risks?

As the world's population continues to grow ensuring that there will be an adequate food supply is becoming a challenge. GM foods are believed to meet this challenge in several ways. The advantages of GMO crops include pest resistance, herbicide tolerance and disease resistance, which result in less chemical application, and danger of agricultural waste run-off also making the cost of production less. Additionally GM seeds help with cold tolerance and drought resistance. Advocates for GM foods argue that they are better for the environment, because farmers can cut their use of pesticides and herbicides and the residual levels of these chemicals in the environment.

The main argument in favor of GM foods is the nutritional value. Famine and malnutrition are all too common in third world countries, where people rely on a single crop as their food source, such as rice. Rice does not contain adequate amounts of all the necessary nutrients to prevent malnutrition. If rice could be genetically altered to contain added vitamins and minerals, nutrient deficiencies could be alleviated. Studies are being conducted at this time to do just that. Corn, wheat, rice, canola, chicory, squash, potato, soybean, alfalfa, tomatoes and cotton are some of the crops that have been genetically modified to make them resistant to insects and viruses and more able to tolerate herbicides.

Modified genes are used in an early stage of the plants growth process and may, or may not be present in the end product. Nonetheless, gene products such as, photochemicals, may stay in the food chain. The implications for human health are unknown.

The unknown impact of Genetically Modified Foods on our health brings us to the opposing side of the debate. Some of the arguments against the use of GMO are that the safety of these products is not yet verified and that very little is known about the long term health effects on both humans and animals who consume them. Every day, millions of people consume Genetically modified foods with no thorough research of the potential risks to human health.

Researchers have raised the concern that food and water contaminated with genetically modified material could increase the risk of malignant tumors in humans. Other studies have suggested a link between GMO foods and cancer. There is also the concern it could cause new allergy outbreaks in people. One known example of this was a genetically engineered soya bean, containing Brazilian nut protein, which turned out to cause severe allergies in humans and was withdrawn from production.

Without proper labeling laws in place, there is concern that the consumer is no longer aware of what they are eating, which could cause serious issues for those with dietary restrictions, not to mention moral and ethical consideration for vegetarians and vegans.

A study conducted in 2008 showed that feeding mice engineered food for 30 days caused an immune reaction and altered the number of cells that regulated the immune function in the body. Although not proven at this date, it is suspected that similar alterations caused in the human immune system as well.

Modified genes in engineered crops that are resistant to pesticides can transfer to insects and pest. As a result, super-bugs are created that cannot be controlled with normal levels of pesticides. The strength of the chemical used to fight pests must increase, as their resistance grows. This would create a problem in controlling their reproduction and damage to crop production in the future.

The belief is that the altered genes in engineered food will multiply through the generations passing along unknown damaging traits to the future population. Once discovered, it would be too late to recall the product. The effects of genetically modified food could be irreversible. Too little is known about the effects on the human body.

No matter which side of the debate you may fall on, it is always good to know the facts and go into the marketplace as a smart consumer. There is a movement to force product labeling that includes information about GMO's. Organic gardening and farming is becoming big business. With concerns about food and environmental allergies on the rise, more and more people are looking for organically grown products and not just the food they eat but the clothing they wear and the linens the sleep on. In the 1990's the Egyptian Government converted all of Egypt's cotton crops to organic.This means the consumer may be certain that their Egyptian cotton products come from a non GMO seeds.

Visit us at http://www.organiccottonstore.com for all you organic cotton products, including clothing for your baby and infant.

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What is Genetically Modified Food?

An estimated 60 to 70 percent of all foods on supermarket shelves today contain genetically modified ingredients. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, by the time you read this, 85 percent of the soybeans planted in the United States and up to 45 percent of the corn will be genetically engineered. It has been estimated that 70-75 percent of processed foods on supermarket shelves including soda, soup, crackers, condiments, baby food, pancakes, candy bars, and condiments contain genetically modified ingredients. That means if you are eating foods that contain vegetable oil, soy products like soy burgers, or any foods that are made with cornstarch, corn syrup, corn oil, or soy derivatives, there is a good chance that you are putting food that's been genetically modified into your body.

The scary thing is that there's no way to know for sure
The government has not implemented a regulations system that would require producers of GM food to tell consumers that a food has been genetically altered or that it contains GM ingredients. What's more, under current law biotech companies don't have to inform the FDA or perform human testing before introducing a new genetically engineered food product. As a result, GM foods are flooding the marketplaces and millions of unsuspecting consumers are purchasing and consuming unlabeled genetically modified foods. Don't be one of them! See below for tips on how to avoid eating GM foods.

How are foods genetically modified? Genes can be likened to blueprints for each organism. Due to major advances in technology, scientists are now able to select genetic material from organisms such as plants, animals, or even microbes, and insert it into the permanent genetic code of another.

For example, a gene found in flounder that enables them to survive in cold water was transplanted into tomatoes so that they would become resistant to frost. Genes from soil bacterium are transferred into foods such as corn and canola so that they repel insects. Other examples of our tampering with Mother Nature include: Potatoes that contain bacteria genes, "super" pigs with human growth genes, fish with cattle growth genes, and thousands of other plants, animals, and insects.

These genetically modified creations are then being patented and released into the marketplace without having any idea about what the long term effects will have on the environment, ourselves, and our children. Several studies over the last decade reveal that genetically modified foods can pose serious health risks to humans, domesticated animals, wildlife and the environment. The effects on human can include: higher risks of toxicity, resistance to antibiotics, suppression of the immune system, and even cancer. The impact on the environment as a result of using GMO's in agriculture could lead to contamination of non-genetically modified life forms and biological pollution which could completely through off Nature's delicate balance.

The bottom line is: We need dozens of years of research before we start tampering with DNA because we don't know what's going to happen. How much do we know about genetics, anyway? DNA was just discovered fifty years ago. We need to seriously contemplate the implications of what tampering with Mother Nature could cost us. We could be destroying elements in our ecosystem permanently by introducing untested genetically modified foods and organisms. I suggest that you join me in the fight against genetically modified foods. The most powerful way to do that is NOT support GM products. Here are some tips on how to avoid these products.

How to avoid eating GMO foods:

Eat organic.
The Organic Food Production Act stipulates that food labeled organic cannot contain any genetically modified organisms.
Buy local. Shop at farmers' markets where you can buy direct from local growers. Ask them how they treat their crops.
Stop eating processed foods. Many processed foods include derivatives of corn, soy, and canola, which more than likely come from genetically modified plants. Buy whole foods like fruits, vegetables, sprouts, and grasses instead.

Read Food Labels.
If ingredients come from corn, soy, or canola, put the food back on the shelf. Look for labels on foods that say, "This product does not contain genetically modified organisms."
Get Involved.

Demand that proper labeling for genetically modified foods is required so people know what they are putting in their bodies.

The following foods listed below are currently being tested by the biotech industry in field trials in an attempt to create gene-altered varieties.

Fruits: Apples, Cherries, Cranberries, Grapefruit, Kiwi, Melons, Papayas, Pears, Persimmons, Pineapples, Plums, and Strawberries.

Vegetables: Bell peppers, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, corn, cucumber, lettuce, mustard, olives, onions, peas, potatoes, radishes, squash, sweet potatoes, cherry tomatoes, watercress

Dry Foods: Barley, beans, soybeans, coffee, lentils, oats, popcorn, rice, sugar, and wheat.
Nuts and Seeds: Flax, peanuts, sunflowers, walnuts.
Remember: Say NO to GMOs!

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Genetically Modified Foods - Pros and Cons

When an organism's genes (its genetic materials) are changed in a laboratory, the organism is called genetically modified or transgenic. Genetically modified foods are products that contain transgenic animals or plants as ingredients. Genetically modifying food sources can make them bigger, stronger, and more nutritious. Changing genes in plants can protect them against disease. It can also help them survive when exposed to herbicides (chemicals used to kill weeds and plants) and insects. There are many uses for genetically modified foods. For example, in parts of Africa, people eat large amounts of rice. Regular rice is not very nutritious, so scientists have transgenic rice plants. These modified plants produce proteins that give their rice extra iron and vitamins. Scientists have also modified pigs to produce healthier meat and coffee plants to produce decaffeinated coffee beans, among other things.

People who support genetically altered foods argue that they can help people who live in areas with poor growing conditions. They believe these foods can help end world hunger. Those on the other side of the debate worry about the safety of genetically modified foods. They fear that mixing genes from different species could create strange new animal and plant breeds. Environmental groups worry that genetically altering foods could be dangerous to human health. They are not sure what effects genetically modified plants and animals might have on the people who eat them. Critics call these foods "Frankenfoods" because they have been pieced together using genes from different species.

One specific concern is that a gene might mistakenly be taken from a plant to which many people are allergic. For example, if a gene taken from a peanut were inserted into soybeans, it could cause the soybeans to produce peanut proteins. Those proteins could trigger a reaction in anyone who was allergic to peanuts. Another worry is that genetically modified plants might breed with the plants growing around them. Then the wild plants could pick up the traits from the modified plants. This cross-breeding could create problems such as weeds that herbicides cannot kill.

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