Genetically Modified Organisms
I have been asked many times, "WHAT ARE GMOS???" My answer to this question is plain and simple. If you want to know more, keep reading!
WHAT ARE GMO's?
Here's the basic 1 sentence answer :)
Genetically Modified Organisms - Foods that have been changed (their DNA is what has been changed actually, like in biology class) from their natural state.
"Most developed nations do not consider GMOs to be safe and have significant restrictions or outright bans on the production and sale of GMOs. The U.S. and Canadian governments, though, have approved GMOs based on studies conducted by the same corporations that created them and profit from their sale." - The Non-GMO Project
HOW DO SCIENTISTS DO THIS?
They take DNA from a foreign organism such as a Virus, Bacteria, Insect, Animal, or even a Human and sneak that DNA into the cell membrane of a seed (using scientific methods) and then the 2 DNA genes combine to become the new DNA of the seed. Now the seed is Genetically Modified (GM). From here, the farmer would harvest the GM seed into a ripened crop, and any foods produced from the seeds of that GM crop, would be genetically modified also. Then we eat the ripened crop and the genetically modified genes enter our bodies.
WHY ARE THEY MADE?
GMO's were made to make crops appear "bigger" and "better" and so that crops can be sprayed with tons of herbicides and pesticides with out dying. These herbicides and pesticides are not only killing the bugs/weeds, but they are also getting inside the actual food, the air, and our water sources. When we eat GM foods, we consume these herbicides, pesticides and the DNA from the viruses and bacteria inside our bodies. These can harm our bodies.
Here are two granola bars compared. Which one do you want in your body?
**Many ingredients in processed foods are Genetically Modified, be sure to read the ingredient labels!
Interesting finds:
According to Dr. Mercola, "The truth is that studies of GM [genetically modified] food have shown tumors, organ failure, gastric lesions [stomach tissue damage], liver damage, kidney damage, allergic reactions and more."
Other studies have shown the long term effects of eating small levels of the herbicides, pesticides and GMO foods on living things. The herbicides, pesticides and GMO foods caused rats to develop tumors and organ damage, which leads to a shut down of the their body... (Death).
The crazy thing about GMO's, is that they are hidden inside many foods. According to the Non-GMO Project, "In North America, over 80% of our food contains GMOs." They are commonly hidden in processed foods as well as vegetables, fruits, grains, etc. If a food is not labeled NON-GMO, then it is very likely to be genetically modified.
Farmed foods that are commonly GMO's:
Alfalfa
Canola
Corn
Cotton
Hawaiian Papaya
Soy
Sugar Beets
Squash (Zucchini and Yellow)
Other possibilities:
Tomatos
Potatoes
Salmon