Finding Clean » Clean Food, Clean Mind, Clean Living

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What is GMO?

genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.

An important thing to note is that GMO’s are relatively new (the last couple decades), so most of the food we ate as children, and our parents ate, was not genetically modified.

Currently, up to 85 percent of U.S. corn is genetically engineered as are 91 percent of soybeans and 88 percent of cotton (cottonseed oil is often used in food products). It has been estimated that upwards of 70 percent of processed foods on supermarket shelves–from soda to soup, crackers to condiments–contain genetically engineered ingredients. (source: http://truefoodnow.org/campaigns/genetically-engineered-foods/)

Without getting too deep into the research on all of this, let me break down a recent scenario:

* Chemical giant Monsanto (creator of Round-up) decided to make genetically modified corn that can withstand repeated applications of toxic pesticide (Round-Up).  So, now Monsanto owns the patent to the food AND they sell the pesticide to spray on the food.  Hmmmmm.

* The weeds (now called superweeds) have become resistant to all of the pesticide (Round-Up) that is being repeatedly sprayed on them.  So, now Dow Chemical has created a genetically modified corn that can withstand repeated applications of toxic pesticide 2,4-D.  That means Dow Chemical will then own the patent to the food and the chemical that will be sprayed on them.  Conflict of interest???

* Before these genetically modified crops were created, pesticides were only used to spray the soil BEFORE the plants (corn, soybeans, etc) grew or only on the weeds directly.  Round Up could not be sprayed directly on the plants, or they would die.  Now that we have genetically modified plants, the pesticide can be sprayed (many times) on the entire plant, usually via cropdusting planes.

* Bottom line: We are eating A LOT of corporate-owned genetically modified food that is laden with multiple coats of toxic pesticide.  Especially when you consider how many things can be made from corn.  Just to name a few: Acsorbic Acid, Crystalline Fructose, Dextrose, Lactic Acid, Glucose, Hydrolized Vegetable Protein, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, and the list goes on.  If you grab just about any processed food from the supermarket shelf, you will find MANY of these ingredients on the label.

For more information about GMO’s, I have found these websites to be helpful.  saynotogmos.com as well as the Center for Food Safety.