GMO: Foods of Deception?

Studies in the early 90’s show that when rats were fed with GM ( genetically modified ) tomatoes, they just simply refused to eat them. Not only rats, but test animals simply don’t want to eat these foods that led to them being force-fed. This is something very curious. Do these animals sense something that we humans cannot? Why do they not want to eat these franken-foods, even when it look and taste the same like those of natural crops?

By injecting a crop’s DNA to another, a genetically modified crop is born. Some characteristics are chosen to produce new crops that are drought resistant and so on. These GMO products are everywhere, even in a fancy meal from your favorite local restaurant. Foods with GMO don’t have to be labeled and probably, you are eating one right now.

There are many bothersome information on GMO foods fed to animals. For example, an estimated 10,000 sheep in India have died on grazing GM cotton plants that are made to have Bt-toxin in their DNA to drive away pests ( from Just Say No to GMO by Dr. Joseph Pizzorno ). Then, there’s a rising number of chronic diseases that constantly plague us today. If you are eating these GMO foods that are made to resist pests, chances are, your gut is also exposed to the pesticide properties the GM food contains. The debate on GMO is still a long way to go, specially when there are unpredictable results. One can only ask if GMO foods are the culprit behind new allergens, diseases, and toxins that we experience today. Europe, Japan, and Australia have already put a strict ban on GMO unless they’re considered truly safe.

The question is: Why are GM foods created in the first place?

According to WHO ( World Health Organization ), GM foods are developed – and marketed – because there is some perceived advantage either to the producer or consumer of these foods. This is meant to translate into a product with a lower price, greater benefit (in terms of durability or nutritional value) or both. The rise in world population has created a problem with the Earth’s food resource, or does it? The first world countries are overflowing with food resources while many are dying of hunger in underdeveloped ones. The issue that must be address is equal food distribution.

Are GM foods safe?

Unfortunately, the safety of GM foods depend on a case-to-case basis and it is not possible to generalize. For this, we still have debates on eating these foods. Basically, unless you have become seriously ill by eating a franken food, then, GM foods are considered safe for you ( or human consumption, as the proper term implies ).

What Can You Do to Protect Yourself Against GM Foods?

If you can devote your lifetime eating the foods that you prepare, this will be a great move in avoiding GM foods. But this is impossible in reality. So, here’s an added safety measure you can take to protect yourself:

1. Check your food labels, specially soy and corn products.
2. Stay away from high fructose corn syrup.
3. Choose 100% certified organic food products.
4. Buy from your local farmer and support their industry.
5. Avoid at risk ingredients like soybeans, corn, canola, and cottonseed.

The Institute of Responsible Technology have listed a Non-GMO Shopping Guide which you can print and bring with you every time you shop. You may be surprised that even fruits are genetically modified, like the papayas from Hawaii. Your constant vigilance can help you in the process of eating healthy and living GM0-free ( or almost.. ).

Secret FDA Memos Reveal Concerns About Genetically Modified Foods: