What does GMO mean?Completely different than natural cross-breeding, genetic modification means that genes are removed from one species and inserted into another. For example, genes from an arctic flounder which has "antifreeze" properties may be spliced into a tomato to prevent frost damage.
Pesticide Overkill
GM crops are often manufactured to produce their own pesticides. Appetizing, yes? One such pesticide, the Bt toxin, kills many species of insect larvae indiscriminately, not just crop-damaging pests. Imagine the implications of mass insecticide—insects may be annoying, but they make the world go 'round.
Health Hazards
On May 19th of this year, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine called for a moratorium on GM foods. They stated that "several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food," including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, insulin regulation problems, and changes in major organs. Ohio allergist Dr. John Boyles said, "I used to test for soy allergies all the time, but now that soy is genetically engineered, it is so dangerous that I tell people never to eat it."
When GM soy was fed to female rats, most of their babies died within three weeks, compared to a 10% death rate among the control group fed natural soy. The GM-fed babies were also smaller, and later had problems getting pregnant.
Corporate Control
Genetic engineering giants like Monsanto are out to make a mega profit by patenting GM seeds. The idea is that all the seeds have identical genetic structure, so they can be patented as corporate property.
Get this:
In 2001, a Canadian court ruled that farmer Percy Schmeiser had to pay Monsanto over $15,000 plus damages after his fields were found to be contaminated by the company’s genetically engineered canola. Pollen from neighboring fields was the source of the contamination. Monsanto company investigators trespassed on Schmeiser’s land and found the company’s genetically engineered canola growing in his field. The court found that because Monsanto owns patent rights on the genes used in the altered canola, the farmer was liable for growing the crop, even though he did not intentionally plant the engineered seed.
True story. And it's just one example of how corporations (and no doubt the government) will take our food from us altogether if we let them.
A Fragile Food Supply
Perhaps the worst news of all is the genetic engineering ultimately threatens our entire food supply. Insects, birds, and wind can carry genetically altered seeds into neighboring fields and beyond. Pollen from these plants can cross-pollinate with natural crops and wild relatives. Not only will supposedly safe plants start harboring strange and even dangerous potential, but they'll all become susceptible to the same diseases. In one fell swoop, a simple fungus could wipe out fields as far as the eye can see.
Some GM seeds are even engineered to be sterile, making them impossible to replant. How do you like that? No more saving seeds to save money and beloved varieties—we'd have to buy new ones every year.
How Can You Spot GMOs?
When we buy GM food in the grocery store—and we do, all the time—we can't see any sign of foul play. No Frankenstein bolts or scars, not even any labels to let us know what we're buying.
Here are the primary suspects:
-Soybeans and anything that contains soy derivatives
-Corn and anything that contains corn derivatives
-Canola (oil)
-Cotton in the form of fabric or food oil
-Potatoes and anything that contains derivatives
-Dairy products, meat, and eggs due to animal feed (toxins build up in milk and fatty tissues)
Standing Our Ground
As of right now, certified organic foods and other products are “safe” because organic regulations do not permit GMOs. But I say our best bet is to grow our own food from organic/heirloom seeds, put up food for the year, and share what we can spare with our neighbors. We may not be able to fix the nation or the rest of the world, but there is value in standing firm and holding tight to our precious roots. In a community like ours, we can band together and keep GMOs from creeping in and taking over.
Remember this, my friends: every snowflake in the avalanche pleads not guilty.
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