Thursday, July 1, 2010

You're Probably Eating a Genetically Modified Organism....

Good morning! I'm glad everyone enjoyed my video blog post yesterday. I will try to do more video posts in the future, as I will have less time to type and videos are much faster to create! I also plan to make my posts a lot shorter in the future, but still very informative.


The topic of today's post is GMO's, and much of the information is from my favorite magazine; Today's Dietitian Magazine.



What are GMOs?

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are organisms, which have had their genetic material modified in some way. Most often the modification is done by a technique known as recombinant DNA (rDNA). With this technique two unrelated pieces of DNA (certain segments of DNA, called genes, are what carry genetic information) are spliced, or combined to create another DNA (DNA has two strands, so once the two unrelated strands are combined, that creates a new DNA). This process allows specific desirable traits to be transferred from one organism to another, which includes traits from unrelated species. The transferred gene is then able to carry instructions for making a protein, which then controls the rest of the GMOs biological processes and determines each of its characteristics.


Chances are this tomato was genetically modified!



Foods such as soy, corn, rice, canola, potatoes, and tomatoes have been genetically engineered since 1996, most often with herbicide-tolerant traits. It's estimated that 60% to 70% of the food products in your local grocery store have at least one genetically modified ingredient. Here is what the proponents and opponents are saying about GMO's:




Proponents say

- This procedure can reduce the use of pesticides and herbicides, because specific genes can be created, making the crop resistant to specific insects and weeds.


Opponents say

- Crops modified to produce their own pesticides and herbicides will promote resistance among the pests, which will eventually lead to the use of even more synthetic chemicals.


Proponents say

- GMOs may provide more nutritional value, specifically by allowing the creation of special genes that produce more important nutrients, such as vitamin A (many children and adults are deficient in vitamin A in third world countries, which causes death and disease), iron (similar to vitamin A, many people in third world countries eat mainly rice, which is low in iron, therefore many individuals are extremely iron deficient). Scientists have already created rice with added iron and vitamin A, which have saved the lives of thousands of people.


Opponents say

- There are several health concerns. First, there is a potential for allergenicity due to the introduction of novel proteins. Second, there is a potential for antibiotic resistant genes, which are used as selective markers in the rDNA process. These could be transferred to gut bacteria and thus alter the guts response to anti-microbial therapies.


Proponents say

- The antibiotic-resistance genes that are feared by opponents would likely be degraded by stomach acid, thus not cause any harm.



My Opinion

In my opinion, genetically modified crops are a fantastic way to increase the nutritional quality of foods in third world countries, but I really don't think we need to increase the nutritional value of the foods here in America. We aren't an unhealthy society due to not having enough food, such as those in third world countries. We in fact have the opposite problem, where we have too much food and we are consuming too much of all the wrong kinds. Adding vitamins, minerals, and/or Omega-3 to crops is similar to pumping vitamins and minerals into a water bottle or soda pop. It just masks the problem and gives people more excuse to eat less veggies and fruits because they will have more nutrients in just one or two servings.

My problem is that while there may not be much evidence of any concerns now, who knows what the future will hold? I'd like to think that since this has been happening for over 16 years now these foods must be safe, but I'm no idiot. I know that our government tries their best to make sure all that we eat is safe, but that's clearly not always the case. Another issue I have is that we never know if we are consuming something that is genetically modified. The only way to know if something isn't a GMO is if it is organic, so if you want to stay away from GMOs you'll have to buy all organic foods, which is close to impossible during this time of economic hardship. I think we as Americans have a right to know what we put in our mouths, whether it's good or bad. Will I freak out if I consume a GMO? Not at all, as it turns out I've been consuming them for years, but do I want to have the ability to say "no" if I want? Of course. We all do.


More Information

- If you want to make sure your food is not genetically modified, you'll have to purchase all organic, as the organic seal can only be used if a food is not genetically modified.

- Want to learn more? Visit this site to learn more pros and cons, and make your own decision about GMOs.



Question: What are your thoughts on GMO's? Are you for them, against them, or in the middle like me?



Coming Up

Nick and I are throwing our "big" house warming party on Saturday, then cleaning up and recovering (hehe) on the fourth. I plan on posting an update to my "About Me" page on Saturday, which is just something I feel I should do since it's been about a year since my last update!
What's everyone doing for the fourth??

Don't forget about my giveaway! I'll announce the winner on Monday. Have a great day everyone.

28 comments :

  1. Like you, I'm in the middle on this. I personally would like to eat food that has not been modified, but when you compare it to what some people are eating now..it's actually better. Such a tough issue. Have a blast at your house warming party! I can't wait to see the recap of it. We're still up in the air on the fourth, but fun will be had no matter what!

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  2. I love the new look! Also, I didn't know about this -thanks for teaching us! :)

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  3. Yeah- I think I agree with your opinion on this. For some people it may be better, but I'd prefer to just eat the original food with no genetic changes.

    I hope the housewarming party goes awesome! I am headed up to NH with my sister for some relaxation this weekend :)

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  4. Funny that you posted this today, since my post is about organic foods! I'm in the middle of "researching" whether or not I should buy more organic, and I had forgotten all about GMO's. Sad, that information like that becomes such the norm that you don't pay attention to it anymore. Thanks for reminding me, and another check in the 'buy organic' column :)

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  5. I don't think we have enough evidence to say that GMOs are safe or unsafe, but I think that we should have the right to choose whether or not we eat them (as in the gov't should require labeling that specifies this). Although I think that modifying foods may hold potential for decreasing nutritional deficiencies abroad, I don't think it's right for us to use third world countries as "guinea pigs," especially when we are unsure of the consequences. At the same time, I know that the mortality rates in many countries are pretty high, but there are other alternative to GMOs like fortification that we could invest in.

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  6. I'm overall against GMOs until further researching is done on them to make sure they are truly safe. I don't know, I just don't think it's our role as humans to truly mess with nature. An apple grows into an apple just as it's meant to grow...this is sort of my philosophy of how humans are slowly degrading our environment. But like you say, it can help with feeding mass amounts of people in underdeveloped/struggling countries, so I just don't know!

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  7. wow i didn't know that tomatoes even had GMO's!! i always thought GMOs were only in soy, which is why i only by organic soy products. Hmph, now it makes me rethink my grocery purchases. This is why i love your blog - i learn so much :)

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  8. Very interesting! I haven't learned enough about GMO's to form a solid opinion on it, myself.

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  9. hmm yeah I agree with the above, I dont personally know enough about it to have a solid opinion..BUT I do try to buy organic fruits and veggies when i can and if they aren't through the roof expensive!!!

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  10. Great post. Because I do know about science and current research, I am ok with this and assume most are. For the most part many varieties of fruits and vegetables are genetically modified in some way and some fruits are even crosses between 2 fruits, which is about as genetically modified as you can get. As long as you know this goes on, that is great and like you said about the tomato, you can assume many foods are. I can see the concern over increased allergies and increased resistance, but I think more research really needs to be done for long term effects and of course that is really long term and will be a while before we know anything new.

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  11. I personally would rather not consume GMO's. I would prefer my food to be in the most natural form as possible. I'm sure I eat plenty of GMO foods without realizing it though!

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  12. Great post, and I loved your format of proponents and opponents. I'm mixed in the middle and see the benefits and negatives to GMOs.

    I hope you have a great house warming party and I look forward to following your blog more!

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  13. i feeeel like i'm gonna eat veggies regardless of gmos in anything or everything haha. i just love veggies so i'll never look for a veggie replacement!

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  14. I try to avoid this by purchasing from a local farm stand down the street where I know the people are just growing veggies in their garden and not messing with my sh*t.

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  15. I am against GMOs. I have read a few books and my gut just tells me that it's not right. Also, I respectfully disagree that third world countries should be subjected to these foods- all individuals deserve to have good quality foods. That's another talk for another time!

    I really appreciate this post- I think it's a great discussion and lots of great info!

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  16. This was so informative! And at the perfect time... I bought a bag of Non-GMO blue corn chips yesterday and was wondering what the benefits were!
    I am probably in the middle of this argument as well..but leaning towards saying I don't support GMO foods. I have heard some arguments about how it is really hard for 3rd world countries to engage in sustainable farming practices when they have to procure GMO seeds from a company that is probably in another country- they can't really save their seeds and continue growing, so I think it's increasing their dependence on others. Also it's true that we don't know the long-term effects of eating GMOs...

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  17. WOW this was so interesting!! I am on both sides like you. I think its a great idea but it also has its cons

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  18. I went to a huge ag school and GMO's were such a hot topic. I think the pros outweigh the cons and I think that when you consider the world's hunger epidemic, they're a very good thing. Most people don't know what it means for a food to be a GMO and so we assume it's bad, but I really don't feel that's the case. I am much more concerned about hormones in meat and dairy!

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  19. Thank you for this post! I was just debating this with a coworker a few days ago. Though I, personally, don't exlusively buy organic for economical reasons as well as simply being undecided whether the pros outweigh the cons, I DO believe it's the better way to go. Ultimately, like you pointed out, no one knows the long-term effects of GMOs. Just like the effects of PCPs and construction materials conatining aesbestos were unknown decades back.

    The way I see it is that anything that was not naturally meant to be found in our bodies must not belong there, and hense, will likely result in some adverse effects.

    izzyy
    x

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  20. I'm pretty sure I'm somewhere in the middle, like you. I like the point you made about them being less necessary in America, and wish the price of organic foods was a little lower.

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  21. What an interesting debate. I am most concerned about things like hormones in the meat we eat. But, like you said, there is no way to know the long term effects since the science is new. Like so many things...pros and cons.

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  22. Wow! Your site makeover looks great!

    Have an amazing weekend!

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  23. I don't think there has been enough (especially long-term) research done on GMO's, and I therefore try to avoid them. I recently watched the documentary "The Future of Food" (available on Hulu). It's a couple years old, but it provides lots of information. I actually had one of my classes watch it last quarter, and it sparked great discussion.

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  24. I always love a good discussion about GMOs. I'm not for it. I'm definitely not for it in the case of meat products. I know there was discussion a while back about genetically modified animals being sold in stores and not being labeled as so. I can't remember what the outcome was or if this is something of the future. Seriously though if the FDA is going to all the trouble to make laws about labeling I think we should know if our food was made in a lab or an organic garden (the new old fashioned way).

    I agree we should be able to choose if we're eating GMOs or not, but I guess for now we have little choice.

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  25. I always learn something new here. This was all new to me. I think I'll read it over again to digest it thoroughly.

    Have a great time at your house warming! I love entertaining in my home, it's so much more fun than going out.

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  26. Hey honey, I think I am in the middle like you but I a scared to see what things they might find in the future...damned if you do and damned if you don't lol

    btw I love the new layout!

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  27. love the new look! are you starting your new job soon?

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  28. the most interesting yet incredibly scary thing about a lot of scientific research is the fact that weve only recently began discovering the technologies needed to uncover a lot of things, and because of that we have no idea what effect these things will have on us in the future. i mean even relating to medicine or birth control..almost everything u read will claim "no known effect has been collected and scientists are uncertain of its outcome in years to come" ... THAT SCARES ME! and the argument with GMO's is no different. it feels more like a waiting game.. as if we have to take a chance yet not know what effect that will have on us down the road.

    xoxo <3

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