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Are you wondering about the benefits and potential harms in genetically modified foods? We are, too!

08.03.2005

Submitted by idealbite on Wed, 08/03/2005 - 5:00pm.
The Bite:
On the one hand, GMOs could seem like a godsend - we could produce tons more food with the same amount of land through the modern miracle of science. The problem is - it's all untested - we don't know what GMOs will do to our bodies or to the environment because there hasn't been enough time to test the potential side effects. It's possible that we could create something that we can't stop, like food plants that spread like wildfire and suffocate out the indigenous, ecosystem-essential plants.
The Benefits: 
  • Since genetic engineering is a relatively new way of producing foods, scientists have not determined long-term health risks. And, most testing is done by the companies that produce these foods in the first place, so it is like a drug company certifying its own drug, sans FDA.
  • Genetically modified food is considered "biological pollution" - tinkering with nature too much can lead to permanently altering natural foods. Too see a great example of how supposedly good science can cause unforeseen results, visit RMI.org.
  • Check your soy products - even if they are grown organically, more than 50% of soybeans grown worldwide are grown off of GMO seeds. Same goes for bio-diesel, which is made mostly from soybean byproducts, which are usually produced with tons of pesticides and fertilizers. (Tip on bio-diesel coming up, hold onto your green hats.)
Personally Speaking: 
Look, the debate is heated, but here is one fact we always keep in mind: If the world were to face a future hunger shortage, GM technology would not be the panacea, and could actually lead to massive ecosystem destruction. Planting small farms and gardens with a diverse array of crops can grow several times more food per acre than the large, mechanized farms for which GM seeds were developed.
Wanna Try: 
If you want to learn more about Frankenfood or to even join the fight against GMO-based foods, check out these sites:

Cocktail Fact

Genetic engineering of food is the most radical transformation in the human diet since the invention of agriculture 10,000 years ago.

Bang For The Bite

Joining the fight against Frankenfood is free. But who has tons of time to plea for anti-GMO legislation? Just look for the "NO GMO" mark on food packages and give those products preferential treatment at the cash register.

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