If you read the packaging of most foods, they contain something called GMO or Genetically Modified Organisms. Brief description:
What is a GMO?
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering. This creates combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and virus genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.
Recently, many consumers have demanded that they buy food that is GMO free.
How do you feel about GMO? Do you just eat what you want whether it has it or not or do you go out of your way to buy food that is GMO free?
I agree, lots of conflicting information about this. To make matters even more complicated, GMO may have quite different effects on the children of the adults who consumed it.
fwiw one of the most common genetic modifications, is the insertion of a gene from Bacillus Thuringensis (BT), for example into Corn.
BT is a naturally occuring organism, and it is used in Organic farming. It is a bacteria that causes caterpillars to die, by dehydration of their digestive tract. It is supposedly OK for humans to eat BT. It is believed to have no effect on us. (at least no effect that is known yet)
caterpillars damage corn, and soybeans… killing caterpillars, kills butterflies. Some people worry that dead butterflies will produces unintended consequences… Birds rely on caterpillars and butterflies as a food source…
I buy non GMO, which costs extra, to err on the side of caution.
Roundup is a poison. I definitely worry about it being applied to our environment. It kills all plants, except the ones that are genetically modified to be Roundup resistant. By buying Organic, I avoid both BT, and Roundup resistant genetics.
Lets see do I trust big corporations putting my health before profits? “HELL NO”
It’s simple keep it natural why eat the unknown. Nobody knows what consuming this food long term will do to our natural bodies.
I have been on a whole foods diet most of my life. Lost my way a little in my late teens early twenties but got back on track.
All thanks to my mother now 86yrs old and still takes no form of medication and has never had the flu in here life I think that says a lot about a good diet.
A friend of mine told me years ago —- If it doesn’t rot on the countertop don’t eat it —— we have cheese that last 6 months now and lots of products that have ridiculous shelf life— carbohydrates have gotten a bad rap and are considered Taboo —- it’s all in the delivery approach —- Fruits vegetables etc are good —- chips hydrogenated packaged stuff not so good
I think profits - convenience — laziness have gotten us to a place where we have no idea what we’re eating anymore
Yes indeed —- in an ideal setting I try not to eat Bread or Dairy products —— I quit drinking alcohol years ago —- Bread and Dairy are harder to stay off of —- you want to live life not become a hermit to stay alive
As said above, it's the reason for the modification that concerns me more. Technology notwithstanding, lab GMO isn't a huge change from what has been done with husbandry for centuries, but when "they" alter something such as corn to make it survive dumping incredible amounts of herbicides or pesticides, that's concerning, because ag chemicals are really dangerous to most life, some even when used correctly ("correctly"). The USDA has and still does an incredible amount of research but it's not enough and sometimes erred on the side of profitability rather than the more sensible approach to overall safety as the EU tends to favor. In the last couple decades we've seen more evidence of that (and it of course extends to many other chemicals and products of chemicals). Some may remember Alar in the 1970s, or chlorpyrifos in the 90s...those are both great examples and indicators of why caution is needed.
Also as said above, it's sad that we have always put humans so far above and ahead of other living organisms. Society as it is now with fewer farmers, we do need to think about yields and profitability and the ability to keep food flowing and affordable (?) but still after all these centuries we do not fully understand and appreciate the web of life and how everything is interconnected...why even things we don't like still have a purpose and shouldn't necessarily be eradicated for our own benefit alone. These aspects are the main approach to GMO and why I try to steer clear of those food products, generally. Honestly our entire food industry is kind of alarming in almost every aspect these days...so very different in just 50 or 60 years, and mainly concerned with preservation as opposed to fresh (i.e. waste/yield). I don't think it's a smart approach.
So...GMO isn't inherently bad, but what we do with it is where the concern is, imho. I for one am glad that so many people in past generations took the time to modify some plants to make them safe and edible (tomatoes being the most obvious thing of several...that's a plant family that is bad news for most of its members).
I think it has a lot to do with the demand 7 billion people put on the planet. If people used common sense and not have nine children, we may not be in the mess we are in today. There is only so much space on the planet, only so much oxygen, and only so much food that can be grown. I think GMO represents the industry reacting to the demand that cannot be met using old school methods.
Lake Meade is at its lowest level in history. They “blame” this on global warming. Of course overdeveloping the area had nothing to do with it.
Don’t laugh but the solution is really life on Mars. So in 100 years when it happens, we can all sleep easier. Take a jacket, I hear at night it reaches –200F. Too bad, since there is no atmosphere, that means there are no trees to cut into firewood. Oh well. We are just gonna have to rely on oil and gas for heat.