"Make the Right Decision: Say No To GMOs" "Certain materials are included under the fair use exemption of the U.S. Copyright Law and have been prepared according to the multimedia fair use guidelines and are restricted from further use."
Without a limitation and regulation on the distribution of GMOs, negative consequences can arise which can affect both humans and our environments worldwide.
What must we understand about GMOs?
- What are GMOs?
- What adverse effects do GMOs cause?
- Where do GMOs come from?
- How are GMOs distributed?
- Are there questions for the safety of our health?
- How much of our food actually contains GMOs?
- How do GMO pesticides affect farmers & our environment?
- What companies support the sale of GMOs?
- Is Monsanto hiding something?
- How are some countries responding to GMOs?
Background Behind GMOs
GMOs are genetically modified plants, animals, bacteria, or viruses that have been manipulated by scientists since the 1900s. This manipulation is similar to that of a puzzle. However, instead of piecing together different puzzle pieces, the scientists are piecing together diverse portions of genomes through genetic engineering. Genetic engineering has produced everything from common-day foods such as toothpaste to medicines such as insulin. GMOs are not only widespread in products, but also in profitable sales, coming from many worldwide companies including: Campbell's, DuPont, Novartis, and Monsanto. These companies, with the support from the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Government, claim that GMOs pose no threat to their consumers. However, with little or no testing and without the requirement of GMO-identifying food labels, many "side-effects" are arising.
How do these GMO pesticides affect our environments & farmers?
Excess amounts of pesticides seep into the ground, contaminating Non-GMO crops, sometimes fields and fields away. In doing so, these excess amounts harm beneficial insects, cause some crops to become sterile, and promote the growth of undesirable pests including, "super bugs" and "super weeds". This ultimately alters ecosystems and habitats worldwide, as well as affecting about 1/3 of U.S. organic farmers. These farmers have experienced the contamination of their fields with GMO-pesticide spreading, and as a result, over 1/2 of these farmers have loads of grain and other crops rejected because of this GMO contamination. In addition, these farmers whose Non-GMO land has been contaminated, which is not by their own-doing, are sued by companies who have patented GMO crops, resulting in these farmers' rights being violated.
How much of our food is actually made from GMOs?
GMO cross-breeding and bioengineering affects 80% of our packaged food in the United States, and 40 different types of plants. Among the highest percentages include:
- Sugar Beets: 54%
- Papaya: 75%
- Corn: 80%
- Canola: 90%
- Soy: 93%
- Cottonseed: 94%
How does the higher product yield from GMOs affect fields?
What is the questionable safety around the enhancement of flavors?
By enhancing flavors, many non-regulated GMO artificial sweeteners, dextrose, maltodextrins, soy, and oils cause severe allergic reactions. This is because many people are unaware of what they are actually eating. Therefore, by establishing proper GMO-identifying food labels worldwide, especially the United States and Canada, many people will be able to tell the difference between GMO foods and Non-GMO foods and prevent these allergic reactions.
A Monsanto Secret
According to research, Monsanto developed a genetically modified potato that would be resistant to invasive beetles. In order to make this potato resistant, the company modified it with a natural pesticide called Bt. However, this pesticide if inhaled or exposed to an open cut, is potentially fatal. This information is made clear on the label of a Bt pesticide container, however, on the GMO potato it is not even mentioned. Therefore, it can be clearly seen that this is a definite situation where unfavorable effects can arise for its consumer resulting from the lack of labelling.
Conclusion
Interestingly, efforts are being made all around the world, from protesters to banning, to go "organic" and "all-natural" by saying no to GMOs, and understanding the truth behind GMOs and Non-GMOs. It is being seen that without the regulation and limitation on GMOs, the risks of safety, health, and economic standing come to the forefront.
Resources
- Creative Commons
- http://nutritionsmart.com/nutritionsmart-blog/
- http://www.hortialliance.com/news/seeds-of-conflict/
- http://alumni.berkeley.edu/california-magazine/just-in/2014-02-25/its-been-crazy-berkeley-biologist-feels-vindicated-reaction
- http://www.naturalblaze.com/2015/09/organic-farmers-suffer-77-fold-increase-in-lost-revenue-from-gmo-contamination-in-last-3-years.html
- http://www.labelgmos.org/the_science_genetically_modified_foods_gmo
- https://img.rt.com/files/2016.01/original/568c0bcdc3618899588b460c.jpg
- https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Naturalis_Biodiversity_Center_-_Museum_-_Exhibition_Biotechnology_09_-_Overview,_transgenic_pig_and_cheese,_chromatography_of_DNA.jpg
- http://blogs.dunyanews.tv/12888/gmos-their-pros-cons-and-their-future/
- http://sustainablepulse.com/2013/03/18/campaign-launched-in-europe-to-stop-gm-crops-watch-it-here/#.V3GWIsT3aK1