Isn’t this simply what farmers have been doing for thousands of years? I had a dear lady come by the market and basically say that was why she wasn’t concerned about GMOs. Sadly, this is not what farmers are doing now. What she was bringing up is selective breeding which is very safe and natural – a process that we find used in the Bible and throughout history but not the harmful modern modifying or engineering of genetics.
Today,these genetically modified organisms (GMO) are made by unnaturally forcing genes from one species, such as bacteria, viruses, animals or humans, into the DNA of a food crop or animal to introduce a new trait. So what? Well the American Academy of Environmental Medicine reported that “Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food,” including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastro=intestinal system.
So then, when you are shopping at the farmer’s market, ask how it was raised or grown. At the grocery store, your best option is to buy food labeled organic or verified non-GMO. Otherwise, avoid products made with ingredients that might be derived from GMOs (ask us for a list and we can email it to you). The eight GM food crops are Corn, Soybeans, Canola, Sugar Beets, Hawaiian Papaya (most), Cottonseed, and a small amount of Zucchini and Yellow Squash. You will be very surprised how many products have hidden GM sources – especially in processed foods. And a quick note on your dairy purchases, if you don’t have access to cow shares, local milk, or organic, atleast make sure the milk label sates No rBGH, rBST, or artificial hormones.
