Do you know your GMOs? What you are eating can be making you sick.

What is a GMO?

GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. A genetically modified organism or genetically engineered organism (GEO) is an organism whose genetic material (DNA) has been altered using genetic engineering techniques to bring about a desired effect. These effects may include resistance to certain chemical treatments like pesticides and herbicides. Other effects include the “terminator” gene which prevents plants grown from a terminator seed from producing more seeds.

Any GMO that exists today is a living organism, but did you know that these organisms have been patented? Corporations that develop different variations of pre-existing, natural organisms have been allowed to call them their intellectual property since the 1980s. They own life. So when you buy certain varieties of corn or soy or other GMO, you are buying a corporation’s patented product. If you tried to use seeds left by these products, the corporation would have full rights to sue. In fact, for many farmers this is a real problem that forces them in to impossible situations against multi-national corporations.

Let’s explore the benefits of GMO. GMOs have allowed farmers to mass produce crops in ways they have never known before. Corn yields in the past 70 years have quadrupled from 40 bushels an acre to 160. This means more food at cheaper prices for Americans and possibly the world. Another benefit is GMO implantation in to farm animals which yields higher milk production. GMOs have created longer shelf lives for our fruits and vegetables. This also pushes the price down for our food. Also, some GMOs are already allowing nutrients from one plant to be inserted in to another.

Now let’s explore the detrimental effects of GMOs. Now that GMOs have made crops so cheap, American farmers have to be subsidized for their corn, soy, etc. in order to make a living. It takes more money to grow these crops than a farmer can make selling them. The overplanting has caused soil erosion. Herbicide and pesticide use has polluted waterways and sometimes makes it to our plates. And the excess crops are often used to make other harmful products (high fructose corn syrup, anyone?). GMOs in farm animals have brought about concern for human health as people have begun to consume more GMO and hormone (rBGH also know as rBST) treated meat and milk. Do not forget the effect it has on the animal itself: swollen utters, sickness, malnutrition. And as corporations began to pursue adding one plant’s DNA in to another they started to see more allergic reactions and antibiotic resistances.

Let’s cover some of the products that are included in the GMO category.

Tobacco Rice Soy Sugar Cane Squash

Tomatoes Corn Canola Potatoes … and more!

You can add meat to this list, as well. 9% of the world’s supply of beef comes from the grazing system. This means they eat a natural diet from fields. The other 91% consists of Integrated Livestock-Crop Farming Systems (the cows eat leftover crop residue) and Industrial Production. Industrial production usually includes hormone treatment and a grain diet. Cows are force fed cheap grains produced from GMO farms. Cows are not supposed to eat grains. Not only does this harm the cow, but now the cow is eating GMOs which becomes part of the cow. When that meat hits the market, humans begin consuming GMO fed meat.

So how does one avoid GMOs? Look for GMO labeled products, and always try to put in a little extra leg work to find out who is using GMOs in your food. Eat locally grown food and buy organic. And perhaps the best advice of all is to grow your own. You would be surprised at how easy it can be.

Written by Robert Marshall
Edited by Joann Agoglia