What in the World is GMO? Genetically Modified Organism

What in the World is GMO?  An Introduction

If you are buying anything to eat and you see a label marked GMO, we recommend that you don't buy it.  GMO is a term that stands for Genetically Modified Organism.  There are presently no laws in the United States that require companies to label their products as genetically modified  or genetically engineered.  Mostly every other company in the world does require their manufacturers to state if their product is genetically modified.  Hopefully, with the amount of pressure from organic groups and concerned parents and families, that will change. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE NON GMO PROJECT

Here is the definition used by The GMO Project:  A GMO, or genetically modified organism, is a plant, animal, microorganism or other organism whose genetic makeup has been modified using recombinant DNA methods (also called gene splicing), gene modification or transgenic technology.
 

What's the big deal?

Genetically modified means just that.  The natural product has been taken from it's natural state and made into something else.  Our bodies were NOT designed to eat foreign materials.  For example, genetically modified corn is no longer the corn your grandpa used to grow.  It's a new kind of corn.  The companies today who produce the seed to grow the corn have added a pesticide to the seed making it genetically modified.  So what you say?  It's really a big deal.  Now you are going to be eating an ear of corn that is not only corn but you are also eating the pesticide.  Not only that, but that seed will produce a crop of corn that will be harvested and then die and instead of being able to use the seeds over and over again from the food product itself, the farmers now have to buy new seed every year.  That costs the farmers a fortune and raises the price of your corn every year.  You are paying more to be filled with pesticide-laden corn.

How many foods are genetically modified in the United States?

If you look at the statistics, you will find that LOTS of foods are genetically modified.  There is a huge list of foods that you should avoid eating if you purchase them from a typical grocery store.  If you purchase your foods from an organic store or natural foods store you have a better chance of not getting a GMO product, but you still have to check.  Not everything that is natural or claims to be natural, actually is.  Organically grown is the best choice because there are no chemicals used in the growing process.  Natural can use a combination of those things.