GMOs were most likely in the food you ate today. And yesterday. But hopefully not tomorrow.
Over 70% of North American packaged foods contain GMOs, and according to the ISAAA (International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications), there are approximately 1.2 billion acres of genetically modified crops worldwide. The most common GMO obsessed crops grow soybeans, corn, cotton, and canola. So we at the Fairfield Garden feel it is important to elaborate exactly on what GMOs are, and why we make it a point to not have them in our own garden, since they are so pervasive in our society.
The acronym GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organisms. They are organisms whose genetic make up has been altered in an unnatural manner. GMOs can be seen as plastic surgery, buy for your food. While the end result (hopefully) looks beautiful, what's in the inside can potentially be ugly. GMOs were created to help reduce the amount of pesticides used by having the plane produce their own pesticide genetically, have a higher tolerance to the use of herbicides, and have added virus defenses.
The problem is that modifying the genetics of an organism has potential environmental and public health impacts. Not enough research has been conducted to see how GMOs effect on us. Additionally, the qualities of some GMO products favor the use of pesticides and herbicides and increase the amount of those products.Furthermore, most GMOs are a patented intellectual property by the agricultural super giant Monsanto. What this means is that if a farmer were to have this GMOs in the farm without having paid Monsanto, a law suit can ensue. Because plants like corn pollinate via the air, the genetic modification is spreading to non-GMO farms thus, resulting in law suits and contaminated produce.
Unfortunately the U.S. government does not require GMO foods to be labeled. But, don’t you feel you have the right to know what’s in your food? The USDA National Organic Standards prohibit the use of GMOS. Popular grocery store chain Whole Foods Market carries foods for pro-organic consumers. In March of 2013, Whole Foods Market announced that by the year 2018 they would label all products in their US stores to indicate whether they contain GMOS. This way, you’ll know you are eating organically.
Organic foods are non GMO foods. Organic agriculture utilizes renewable resources and promotes the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality. Eating organically means you won’t have to worry if your foods were persistently treated with toxic chemicals. It also means your food was sustainably grown, preventing many types of chemicals from getting into the air, earth, and water that sustain us. Eating organically means you are protecting and conserving the earth and your body. Buying organic products promotes a healthy ecosystem, mind, and body.
Make the switch to natural foods for a healthier lifestyle. Try an organic meal and consider how it makes you feel. Knowing your facts about the foods you consume can be life changing for you initially, but coming to a realization can eventually change the people you interact with as well.
Organic foods are non GMO foods. Organic agriculture utilizes renewable resources and promotes the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality. Eating organically means you won’t have to worry if your foods were persistently treated with toxic chemicals. It also means your food was sustainably grown, preventing many types of chemicals from getting into the air, earth, and water that sustain us. Eating organically means you are protecting and conserving the earth and your body. Buying organic products promotes a healthy ecosystem, mind, and body.
Make the switch to natural foods for a healthier lifestyle. Try an organic meal and consider how it makes you feel. Knowing your facts about the foods you consume can be life changing for you initially, but coming to a realization can eventually change the people you interact with as well.
This post was made by Liana Moncayo'14 and edited by Jesus Nunez'14 as a part of the CO201 course persuasion to help promote the garden and the consumption of organic foods.
