Why Care About Genetically Modified Foods?

There’s been a lot of buzz lately about genetically modified foods, as more consumers and companies join together to in favor of labeling these foods via the Just Label It campaign.  Lots of terms surrounding this topic get thrown around during these talks and in the media, so I wanted to give you some simple and straightforward info about genetically modified foods and the movement to label them.

What are genetically modified organisms (GMOs)?

GMOs are what you get when you inject an organism with another organism that changes it’s DNA.  For example, a bacteria might be placed in a plant to make the plant more resistant to pesticide, herbicides, or weather.  The plant would now be considered “genetically modified.”

What do all these different terms mean?

The following terms are used interchangeably, and mean the same thing for consumer purposes:

• Genetically modified foods
• Genetically engineered foods
• GM foods
• Genetically modified organisms
• GMOs

Why do farmers use GMOs in their farming practices?

Farmers in the U.S. make very little money (the farmers themselves that is).  Genetically modifying their crops may help them earn a little more by increasing their yield, reducing pesticide costs, or lengthening the seasons during which they can grow.

Why does the biotech community push GMOs?

Because biotech companies make a lot of money when GMOs are used.  This community often argues that we need GMOs to feed the world as our population grows; that we need GMOs to increase the nutritional value of certain crops, or that we need GMOs to help combat climate change.

Why is this bad?

Because we don’t really know how these genetic modifications affect our health.  After all, we are EATING these modified crops (or are eating the animals who ate them), and there hasn’t been enough unbiased research to show that this is safe.  It’s possible that some genetic modifications are fine, but studies in other countries have repeatedly shown that some GMOs are harmful to human health, the land, and the planet.  So to just assume that it’s fine to genetically modify something without extensive research is very risky.

Are GMOs harmful?

Evidence has shown that some GMOs can be harmful to human health.  (Here’s an example of Agent Orange in corn!).  It’s possible that others are not.  The problem is that we as consumers currently have no way to know whether the food we’re eating is genetically modified or not, so we can’t do our own research and then make our own decisions.

What we as a country need is more research and more regulation so that GMOs are proven safe before being widely used.  And Until we get that (and afterward!), we should at least have a right to know what’s in our food before we buy it.

Is there any regulation now?

All a company has to do is show the FDA that a GMO they’re using is “generally recognized as safe.”  They don’t need to label their product or submit legitimate scientific research proving that it really is safe for human consumption.

What can we do to change the current system?

Join the “Just Label It” campaign.  This campaign does not address whether GMOs should be used or not, it merely states that consumers deserve to know what’s in their food.  Consumers deserve a voice, and the Just Label It petition is striving to give them one.

How can I make sure I’m not eating GM foods right NOW?

Right now the only way to avoid GMOs is to buy organic food, because organic food is not allowed to be genetically engineered. Of course not all of us can afford to buy everything organic, and many of us don’t have access to a variety of organic foods.  But until the FDA agrees to label GM foods, buying organic is all you can do to ensure you’re avoiding GMOs.

I hope this helps clear up some of the confusion!

*image above taken from the Stonyfield Buzz Blog*