Do You Know What Genes You Are Serving For Dinner Tonight?
Genetically Modified Foods And The Implications
Genetically Modified strawberries
Have you ever bitten into a kiwi fruit and wondered why it had a hint of banana flavour to it? Or maybe it had a strawberry flavour? Sometimes I think they have the smallest hint of blueberry. People have many ways of describing the flavour of a kiwi. The kiwi is just one example of nature’s mysteries. It was grown that way in nature for thousands of years, maybe even before recorded history. That is the way nature intended for the kiwi to taste – unique.
Now what if you were to take that same kiwi and made it grow twice or even three times faster? What do you think could make it do such a thing? We have all seen those big, juicy-looking, bright-red apples that shone so bright you could swear you saw your reflection. They look simply divine, don’t they? What about those tomatoes that are so large you only need one rather than three.
In some way most of our food today has been subjected to what is termed “Genetic Engineering”, or “Genetic Modification“, and is exactly what it sounds like .. genetic modification. Genetically modified organisms or GMO, has invaded our global food supply in astounding percentages, and we are not even aware of it. There has been little to no testing on humans in many instances, and labels do not tell you that the food you are about to consume has been genetically altered. In North America, suppliers are not required to label GM foods. While having the option, they have opted not to tell us if what we purchase has been altered or modified.
GMO’s are the direct result of DNA modification. That is to say that a specific food has been injected with the DNA of another food to produce a new or enhanced food. A good example of this is the so-called ‘sweet white corn‘. Looks appetising, and will tend to take longer to decay, but has been altered from its true form.
Genetically modified sweet white corn
Lab testing began on GMO’s began long before we were even made aware, and the products on our shelves in local supermarkets a few years after the testing stage began. Sounds absurd that we are unaware of this ‘fake’, cancer-inducing phenomenon invading our supermarkets, doesn’t it? It may be absurd, but it is a fact – our governments have allowed these ‘products’ to find their way to our dinner tables without our knowledge.
Originally, the experiments were a part of a quest to feed the world’s hungry. A solution to an age-old dilemma. If we can make food bigger and grow it faster, we can solve hunger issues in deprived countries. That was the twisted thinking that started the ball rolling. But wait! Did thee geniuses consider that altering a specific food’s DNA may cause it to produce unwanted side effects? Nope, this wasn’t in the cards then.
There have been many reports that this type of manipulation has potential to cause specific types of cancer. This modification a can also lead to other worrisome health issues. For starters, these foods produce their own form of pesticides. While we struggle with bans on pesticide use for our private homes, the government allows these labs to feed it to us directly. One of the leading companies producing GMO’s is Monsanto.
As unappetising as the term 'Genetically Altered"
Their claim is that through GM foods, they will help farmers produce enough food for the staggering increase in demand. Their plan is “To produce more with less, conserving resources like soil and water” and “to improve lives.” How do they plan to do this claiming, “We do this by selling seeds, traits developed through biotechnology, and crop protection chemicals.”
The socioeconomic ramifications of altering our food in this manner are astounding. Crop uniformity will reduce genetic diversity making them more vulnerable to disease and pests and further the need for pesticides, which the biotech firms are promoting. This furthers the need for pesticides, which biotech companies like Monsanto produce also. Efforts to introduce labeling of GMO’s has repeatedly met resistance from lobbyists and politicians affiliated with companies like Monsanto.
GE is an expensive technology, and farmers of developing countries will not easily afford. Food shortages and hunger will always be something that the poorer countries have to face, if food production is continued in this manner. With the way we are producing genetically altered foods, and the health and environmental damage it causes, this is not the way to go for a developing country that already struggles to feed their hungry. Some argue that there is more than enough food in the world and that the hunger crisis is caused by problems in food distribution and politics, not production.
We eat enough that is bad for us, do we need to make it worse?
Which brings me to another related topic – In Vitro Meats. IVM is meat produced from animal tissues, but has never become a living animal. Cultured in labs, this meat has never lived or breathed. It is partial in completion, and genetically engineered, ‘grown’ entirely in labs. This so-called meat is cultured much the same way as GMO’s, in the time frame is greatly reduced in completion. Most meat is animal muscle. The process of developing in vitro meat involves taking muscle cells and applying a protein that helps the cells to grow into large portions of meat. The price of in vitro meat at retail outlets and supermarkets may decrease prices to levels that middle-class consumers consider to be inexpensive, due to technological advancements. Milk, cheese and eggs could also be produced without needing multiple animals.
What are we really eating?
This may pose many health hazards because large scale production of in vitro meat requires artificial growth hormones and antibiotics to prevent bacterial infections. You may, as I do, find the thought of artificially cultured meat distasteful. Completely unconventional methods of obtaining foods is appalling to many, not to mention the exorbitant costs. Currently, a piece of IVM meat costs approximately $1,000,000 USD. A million dollars that could have been spent on feeding some of the world’s hungry.
Glofish - A novelty fish produced by altering it's DNA. These fish, a living being, are very fragile because of the genetics tampering.
A waste of time, energy and resources? We may never see this meat on our shelves in our lifetime, so how much time and money will be spent on researching this technique, instead of putting the money where the hungry mouths are? It really is maddening when you think about it; there are people dying all over the world from hunger, while these people are spending millions, if not billions, playing with test tubes. God gave us land and animals to feed ourselves, so why don’t we accept mother nature as it is and work with her to feed the world’s population?
We should eat the way our ancestors did
The complexities of this situation with modifying our food supply is beyond the average person. We will be left in the dark about what we are eating as long as politicians and government itself are connected to and continue to support companies like Monsanto. Time and again, Monsanto and sister companies have battled opposition in court, and won.
Here is a video that will help explain what GMO is. .
So what are the consequences for altering our food supply in this manner? Here are a few of them:
- New toxins and allergens in foods
- Other damaging effects on health caused by unnatural foods (such as cancer and allergies)
- Increased use of chemicals on crops, resulting in increased contamination of our water supply and food
- The creation of herbicide-resistant weeds
- The spread of diseases across species barriers
- Loss of bio-diversity in crops
- The disturbance of ecological balance
- Artificially induced characteristics and inevitable side-effects will be passed on to all later generations and to other related organisms. Once released, they can never be recalled or contained. The consequences of this are incalculable.
Isn’t that enough? We need to leave nature alone and till the land as our ancestors did. It was good enough for them, so why can it not be good enough for us too?
Prince Edward Island - Red Earth - All natural
Many thanks to Ant World for the riveting topic and discussions that lead to the general content of this Post.
As an addition to this post, I would like to add a link from The National Post. Take this into consideration …
McDonald’s burger, after one year, exposed to the open air.
In closing, I would like to add that this is information is based on articles I have read on the matter, and is my opinion.
Great article. This is an important issue. You make a compelling argument against GMOs. Although I still have mixed feelings regarding the whole issue, especially regarding in vitro meat. As a vegetarian in vitro meat has a certain appeal and admittedly I don’t yet know enough to make a truly informed opinion about it. How ever on the surface in vitro meat seems like it has the potential to cure many of the meat industry’s problems. The meat industry has a terrible environmental record ranging from massive deforestation to water pollution. What impact in vitro production will have on these, I don’t know, but it is at least reason to be slightly optimistic about in vitro.
On a last note regarding your mention of the “end hunger” rationale for GMOs a good counter point would be that since about the 1960s all famines and food shortages have been caused by politics and economics and not an actual lack of food. Thanks for the great article.
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts, Aherenhoff, it is appreciated.
My concern about the in vitro meats is quite simple really; the labs have already begun testing the alteration of DNA on some species, so we must wonder with the lack of labelling standards, how much of this genetic meat will be altered, or have other dangerous chemicals added?
My comment for ending world hunger is on your side of the fence for sure. The scientists claim that this was the reason they began GM .. well, let the politicians step aside, and perhaps the developing countries would begin to thrive. Frankly, I wish they would keep the greedy and selfish noses out of it, and allow the general population solve the issue!
Cheers,
Amma
Organic foods remain an area of growth even with the rising cost of grocery items and tougher economic times. Turns out organic cooking is really not that complicated once you know a few basics. In fact, it’s way easier and healthier.
Thank you for haring your opinion, Amy. It is appreciated.
I agree, if we eat healthier, it may be somewhat more costly, but is eating all the garbage out there worth the cost of our health?
It is far wiser to eat better and organic.
The difficulty with organic foods is that they might in fact be less organic than people think they are.
Have you ever stopped to consider the root stock, the seeds, the hybridization of the plant that bore the organic fruit or vegetable?
Monsanto is in the business of genetically modifying the seeds that will eventually be used by farmers and hobbyist to grow their crops. While the farmer or hobbyist in all earnest has raised the crops by definition of “organic” (spraying of plants and chemical fertilization) has the genome of the plant or seed really been traced?
Far be it for the onus to be on the farmer or hobbyist to know that. They do not have the capacity or resources to be able to do this with frequency and consistency. As a responsible society we defer the moral obligation to our Governments through appropriate legislation to protect the greater good and health of the people that they are enacted to protect.
As conscientious individuals most of us are, we have the right to ask our governing bodies, “what have you done to speak to the issue ensuring the health and welfare of the people you were put into power to protect”?
Apart from hinging on cliche catchphrases like “certified organic”, “bio best”, “no GM”, we need to elevate the issue to a higher standard. How much is being put into health studies, tracing and certifying genome of plants, population control, or protecting the farmlands of the world?
We need to stop stealing our lands to build oversized homes that will house mother, father and baby. Why do we celebrate individuals with phenomenal wealth owning 2, 3 or more mansions that might remain vacant 10 or more months of the year if not more?
We need to stop raping our lands by cutting down the trees that once stood gracefully, poisoning her soil and failing to properly rotate the crops that she bears to avoid plague and famine.
Our world has become too core focused on monetary policies, individual wealth and immediate band aid solutions to much longer more deeply entrenched problematic issues. “The world” in the broadest sense called “a society” has lost some of its way when we pursue the interests of individualism vs. the greater good.
Thank you for your insightful views, Ant. As always, it is a pleasure to hear your viewpoint.
I think the point you make about us not knowing how organic our ‘organic food’ is, was an excellent one. The fact that our meats are labelled organic is misleading, when the animals are fed non-organic feed and grains. The farmer raises and sells animals as his livelihood, to support and feed his own family, and when the competition is selling faster than he is, at reduced cost, he has to do what he can to keep up. He must rely on the same feed as his neighbour, or starve his own family.
The farmer’s seed is sold to him under the pretence that it is organic, and may not be as ‘pure’ as he believes it is. He has to rely on the word of the supplier, because he does not have the resources to verify this for himself. He may not be able to guarantee that what he is selling to supermarkets and wholesalers is ‘unsullied’ meat, because he cannot prove it. He makes the claim, and is aware that he may come under fire for misinforming the purchaser. However, he is also aware that under the laws, he faces no real threat of backlash. This is because he is informed his feed is pure, and he can plead innocent of any contrary knowledge.
With the lack of regulation over labelling, the farmer is free of guilt. On the flip-side, suppliers of modified seed, such as Monsanto, know what they are supplying is in fact, modified. They know this, because that is their business. It is what they produce, and what they sell.
Yes, I agree that the Government needs to step it up and start mandating labels for these foods .. but it will never happen in our lifetimes. They financial ramifications for doing so are too great, in their eyes. They will not put regulations on food labels because the public will be made aware of just exactly what they have been eating all along. These fancy labels that claim “No GMO’s” can only say this because they have the green light to do so, if their own suppliers have made the self-same claim.
We have to be more aware of what we are eating for our own health. To do this, we need someone to commission the use of these products. For the interim, we, as a society, must rely on the honesty of our Governments. That is not saying much is going to change, unless we make a lot of noise about it, and even then it is doubtful, as long as the Government and chemical producers are shaking each others tails.
I will not say too much about the irresponsibility of the higher levels of Government, and their policies on the health and welfare of the public they are responsible for. I think we all understand that as long as companies such as Monsanto are lining their pockets, we have little or no voice, or say over what we are putting in our bodies. Fair? Not by a country mile in the Bermuda Triangle, is it fair, but we have no alternatives if we want to continue to eat. Food that Nature gave us to nurture our bodies has long been tampered with, unbeknownst to the general public.
Another powerful point you made here is the misuse of our lands. As someone who has lived in the general vicinity of farmlands for five years, I have seen too much of what is supposedly ‘progress’ ruin and replace our vital farming lands to argue your point, but to add to it. In a short five years, I have watched several farms being levelled and replaced with stores that sell imported fruits and vegetables. Gone are the livelihoods of these farmers, along with opportunity to eat the freshest foods possible. Their lands have been taken from them, and new luxury homes built in their places. New neighbourhoods, sporting homes no one can afford have taken the place of mother nature’s beauty.
Sadly, there are too many people that have put their own interests and twisted values above the rest. Monetary value has been placed above the value of human life, by too many people with too much power over the rest.