What is GMO? (by Rosie)
2015/07/31 06:04:16
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Today let's talk about what is "GMO"?
What is GMO? GMOs (or "genetically modified organisms") are organisms whose genetic material
has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering, or GE. This relatively
new science creates unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacteria and viral genes that do not
occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.
In genetic modification (or engineering) of food plants, scientist remove one or more genes from
the DNA of another organism, such as a bacterium, virus, animal or plant and recombine them
into the DNA of the plant they want to alter. By adding these new genes, genetic engineers hope
the plant will express the traits associated with genes.
One of the main problems with genetic engineering is that the process of inserting genes into the
DNA of a food plant is random. Scientists have no idea where the genes go. This can disrupt the
functioning of the other genes and create novel proteins that have never been in the food supply and
could create toxins and allergens in foods.
For consumers, it can be difficult to stay up-to-date on food ingredients that are at at-risk of being
genetically modified, as the list of at-risk agricultural ingredients is frequently changing.
Here are some suggestions to avoid GMO foods.
1/ Avoid processed foods containing ingredients from soy, corn, canola, sugar beet and cotton
as 70% of processed foods found in retail stores and restaurants contain ingredients dedrived from
above mentioned GE products. In addition, half of the sugar used in food products comes
from GE sugar beets.
2/ Eat organic.
3/ Buy locally grwon foods.
4/ Grow your own.
Don't mean to scare you, but do take good care of ourselves and our family members by
eating correct foods!
Have a nice summer and see you all in Sep!
