Post by Loupy on Oct 17, 2013 15:03:06 GMT -7
Why I’m Worried About GMOs {and You Should Be Too!}
From: thegreenbacksgal.com/
Are you worried about GMOs?
I am.
GMO stands for genetically modified organisms. GMO crops were all new to me until I watched Food Inc, one of my 7 Food Documentaries to Watch Now. That was when I learned crops and animals were being genetically modified to be more disease resistant and pest resistant.
Sounds like a good thing, doesn’t it? To be able to produce crops that are disease and insect resistant? To be able to have more abundant crops that can help feel the world?
How joyous will the day be when no one on this good earth goes hungry.
When looked at like that, how can we argue that GMOs can be bad?
Let’s look at what the scientists are saying about the safety of GMO crops:
“… Research on genetically modified seeds is still published, of course. But only studies that the seed companies have approved ever see the light of a peer-reviewed journal. In a number of cases, experiments that had the implicit go-ahead from the seed company were later blocked from publication because the results were not flattering.”
Scientific American
Hold the phone. Are you reading what I’m reading? The companies that are telling us GMO crops are safe are the same companies that are developing the GMO seeds then controlling what studies are seen and what they say?
Hmmmm. Guarding and witholding information, then releasing only favorable information has always been a big red flag in my book. What does it say to you?
As it stands, GMOs are already in about 80% of our processed foods.
How can that be possible when we only have a few crops that are currently being genetically modified?
Consider this if you will: 88% of the corn that is currently grown in the US is GMO corn. Corn is just one crop. But to see just how much corn we eat in the American diet, read this article and then read this article.
Kinda rocks your world doesn’t it?
Folks, I am a stay-at-home mom with two kids, two dogs and a degree in political science. None of this makes me an expert on anything genetically modified. All I’ve done is try to educate myself. Are my conclusions correct? Is there reason to question the safety of GMOs in our food? You can decide for yourself.
What I’m asking is simple: Label my food so I can choose.
Currently, there are two labels you can find that help you avoid GMOs:
By definition, organic food can not contain GMOs. So purchasing food with the USDA Organic label is the current gold standard for finding food that has not been genetically modified.
The non-GMO label is given when a company demonstrates GMO avoidance. It’s not a sure-fire guarantee that your food has no GMOs, it simply means they are doing their darndest to make sure it doesn’t.
Short of those two labels, it is impossible to know if your food is genetically modified, which is why labeling is so important. 64 countries already require this labeling. It can be done, it is being done, and to be totally transparent in our food supply, it must be done.
Getting off my soapbox now. Thank you for listening. And now it is your turn. Do you worry about GMOs?
The state of Washington currently has a chance to require labeling on GMO products. If you would like to see labeling, Vote YES on 522! And help to spread the word.
From: thegreenbacksgal.com/
Are you worried about GMOs?
I am.
GMO stands for genetically modified organisms. GMO crops were all new to me until I watched Food Inc, one of my 7 Food Documentaries to Watch Now. That was when I learned crops and animals were being genetically modified to be more disease resistant and pest resistant.
Sounds like a good thing, doesn’t it? To be able to produce crops that are disease and insect resistant? To be able to have more abundant crops that can help feel the world?
How joyous will the day be when no one on this good earth goes hungry.
When looked at like that, how can we argue that GMOs can be bad?
Let’s look at what the scientists are saying about the safety of GMO crops:
“… Research on genetically modified seeds is still published, of course. But only studies that the seed companies have approved ever see the light of a peer-reviewed journal. In a number of cases, experiments that had the implicit go-ahead from the seed company were later blocked from publication because the results were not flattering.”
Scientific American
Hold the phone. Are you reading what I’m reading? The companies that are telling us GMO crops are safe are the same companies that are developing the GMO seeds then controlling what studies are seen and what they say?
Hmmmm. Guarding and witholding information, then releasing only favorable information has always been a big red flag in my book. What does it say to you?
As it stands, GMOs are already in about 80% of our processed foods.
How can that be possible when we only have a few crops that are currently being genetically modified?
Consider this if you will: 88% of the corn that is currently grown in the US is GMO corn. Corn is just one crop. But to see just how much corn we eat in the American diet, read this article and then read this article.
Kinda rocks your world doesn’t it?
Folks, I am a stay-at-home mom with two kids, two dogs and a degree in political science. None of this makes me an expert on anything genetically modified. All I’ve done is try to educate myself. Are my conclusions correct? Is there reason to question the safety of GMOs in our food? You can decide for yourself.
What I’m asking is simple: Label my food so I can choose.
Currently, there are two labels you can find that help you avoid GMOs:
USDA Organic
and
Non-GMO Project
Non-GMO Project
By definition, organic food can not contain GMOs. So purchasing food with the USDA Organic label is the current gold standard for finding food that has not been genetically modified.
The non-GMO label is given when a company demonstrates GMO avoidance. It’s not a sure-fire guarantee that your food has no GMOs, it simply means they are doing their darndest to make sure it doesn’t.
Short of those two labels, it is impossible to know if your food is genetically modified, which is why labeling is so important. 64 countries already require this labeling. It can be done, it is being done, and to be totally transparent in our food supply, it must be done.
Getting off my soapbox now. Thank you for listening. And now it is your turn. Do you worry about GMOs?
The state of Washington currently has a chance to require labeling on GMO products. If you would like to see labeling, Vote YES on 522! And help to spread the word.
