Say No to GMO's

GMO’s are genetically modified organisms who genetic material has been altered. Pretty simple…. they’re lab created seeds. Virtually all commercial GMO’s are engineered to withstand direct applications of herbicies and/or to produce an insecticide. This means that they can withstand being sprayed by chemicals, or they contain an ingredient inside that will give off a chemical to detract pests. Yet, this is what is in most of our food now in America!
In the beginning, GMO’s were supposed to offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, etc. No research has shown that they give any of these or any other consumer benefits whatsoever. The problem lies in the fact that they actually are connected with numerous health problems, environmental damage, and violation of farmers’ and consumers’ rights. In fact, GMO’s are highly restricted or even outright banned in over 60 countries in the world. Over 64 countries demand GMO’s to be labeled, including France and Japan, yet here in America, no labeling is required. Why?
The largest producer of GMO’s is a company called Monsanto. They produce over 80% of the worlds supply of GMO’s. Who is this company? They produce the infamous herbicide RoundUp. Yes, they produce the herbicide that kills everything except their GMO seeds. Interesting… In other words, their business plan is pretty simple. 1) Replace a natural seed with a genetically engineered seed that is protected by a US Patent. 2) Create and grow the market for the chemicals and products that provide 100% control in growing the seeds mentioned in their first step. They are also a company that throughout its history has developed other chemical products which have been highly controversial or even banned. These include DDT, Agent Orange, Bovine Growth Hormone, & PCB. Great products right?
Some will argue that they have done testing on these GMO’s and the tests have proven their safety. Wrong! First of all, they haven’t. They lied! Many of the testing that has been done in order for the US to approve them was done by parties who have created or profited from GMO’s. Many of the other ‘real’ tests have shown numerous health risks and problems. Testing has been done on cows, pigs, geese, squirrels, elk, deer, racoons, mice, & rats. Oh… and humans, kind of. Many of the workers in the Phillipines where the villages produce these crops have experienced numerous problems, even death. But side effects include sterility, allergies, skin reactions, irritations to eyes and upper respiratory tract, intestinal damage, bleeding stomachs, immune system damage, precancerous cell growth, inhibited development of brains, livers, & testicals, and significant damages in blood cells to name a few. Great products right?
Now you may be wondering how much of these GMO’s are in our food supply? Alot! As I said earlier, over 80% of our processed foods contain GMO’s. Here is a list of many common ingredients that are derived from the high risk GMO crops: Amino Acids, Aspartame, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Ascorbate, Vitamin C, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Ethanol, Flavorings (both natural & artificial), High Fructose Corn Syrup, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Lactic Acid, Maltodextrins, Molasses, Monosodium Glutamate, Sucrose, Textured Vegetable Protein, Xantham Gum, Vitamins, & Yeast Products. Now you can see how most of our processed foods are contaminated…those are all very common ingredients! The high risk crops that are labeled high risk from a company called The Non-GMO Project include Alfalfa, canola, corn, cotton, papaya, soy, sugar beets, zucchini & yellow squash. Corn is clearly in many products, so is soy. Right now, this company is monitoring the crops of flax, rice, & wheat as well, and consider them to be at risk.
How to avoid GMO’s you are now asking? Since GMO’s are not required to be labeled here in our great country, the best way is to do your own research on the products that are GMO free. The Non GMO Project has an app out there for your smartphones that is actually free, and contains lists of products that are GMO free. Obviously you can do your own research online as well. Don’t forget all products, not just food products contain GMO’s. This includes shampoos, body washes, lotions, baby food, dog food, etc. It is quite a chore when you first get started, but shopping at a Whole Foods, or related store certainly helps.
Good luck and JUST SAY NO TO GMO’S & MONSANTO!