Genetically Modified Organisms

Genetically modified organism are often referred to as GMO's. GMO's are foods that undergo a genetic "modification." Recombinant DNA technology, which is the process of combining genes from different organisms or the rearrangement of an organism's genes that are already present, is used to alter the foods from their natural state.

The first genetically modified organism to be developed on a large scale was the Flavr Savr tomato in 1987. This tomato worked by inhibiting the breakdown of the fruit's cell walls over time. This allowed for increased shelf life even after long shipping and storage times. Since the flavr tomato, thousands of a applications by different companies have been submitted to allow for the testing of GMO products and over 90% of them have been approved.

The most common genetically modified crops are soybeans, squash, tomatoes, corn, and cotton. Other crops that may be genetically modified are potatoes and rice as well as fish, bananas, cows, and fruit trees.

GMO foods can be broken down into 3 classes. The 3 classes are first generation, second generation, and third generation crops. Third generation crops are crops that produce pharmaceuticals and improve bio-based fuels.

Second generation crops include crops with enhanced nutrient content of animal feed. Finally, first generation crops include crops that have enhanced genes such as good insect resistance, a good adaptability to poor weather conditions, and herbicide tolerance.

Benefits of genetically modified organisms include insect and herbicide resistance, increased shelf life of different foods, delayed ripening, increased food production, virus-resistant crops, limited costs of food production, and enhanced nutrient content of different foods. Some foods are being genetically modified to provide immunizations to different diseases.

In 2006, more than 250 million acres of GMO crops were planted by more than 10 million farmers in greater than 20 countries. The leaders in GMO production are the U.S. followed by Argentina, Brazil, Canada, India, China, Paraguay, and South Africa.

The main negative health effect of GMO foods is the allergic reactions caused by switching the genes around from different foods. This in turn creates foreign substances to the body which causes the body to instinctively fight off. Also, when genes from one food is moved to another food, anyone who was allergic to the first food is now allergic to the other food as well. For example, if you are lactose intolerant and specific gene in milk is then implemented in an apple, although you were never allergic to apples, because of the inserted milk gene, you are now allergic to both milk and apples.

It is currently estimated that about 70% of all food products sold in retail stores in the U.S. contain GMO ingredients. The most common products in the U.S. are corn, soybeans, and cotton. Salmon have also been genetically modified allowing these fish to grow twice the size of normal salmon, grow ten times faster, and intake 25% less food!

There have been many studies conducted on genetically modified organisms that have shown many negative health effects of GMOs. One study published in Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology conducted on rats showed that rats given GMO food were 2-3 times more likely to die than the controls and rapidly as well. These rats developed high levels of cancer, had large cancerous tumors but the study was unable to identify the direct mechanism that caused the rats to die from the genetically modified food. Another study conducted on hamsters published in the Days of Defense Against Environmental Hazards in Russia showed a link between infertility and GMO food consumption. The hamsters were given genetically modified soybeans causing the hamsters to slow sexual maturity and gradually become infertile.

If you do not want to consume GMO foods in your diet because of potential dangers associated with them, some tips to avoid consuming them include shopping at your local farmer's market, eating organic food, avoiding corn and soybean products, buying "all natural" or organic meat, growing your own produce, and avoiding aspertame, cottonseed oil, and canola oil,

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GMO Labeling Debate

Should products that are genetically modified or are made with them be labeled?What about the food that an animal raised for human consumption ate? Do you want to know if your food is or contains GMO's? Should GMO's be labeled? There seems to be a lot of talk and controversy around labeling genetically modified organisms.

Before we get into labeling and such, let's talk about GMO's. GMO's or genetically modified organisms are organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. The techniques, generally known as recombinant DNA technology, use DNA molecules from different sources, which are combined into one molecule to create a new set of genes. The DNA is then transferred into an organism, giving it modified or novel genes. You may have heard it called gene splicing. GMO's are the constituents of genetically modified or biotech foods. This process can only happen in a laboratory. It does not happen in nature. I am not talking about selective breeding, plant breeding and animal breeding.

The most common application of GMO's is to withstand herbicides or to produce an insecticide. No GMO traits are on the market for bigger yields, drought resistance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit. You have probably heard of Round Up ready crops. They are plants that have been genetically engineered to be resistant to glyphosate. Glyphosate is a broad spectrum herbicide used to kill weeds. It inhibits an enzyme that plants need in order to grow. Without this enzyme plants are unable to produce other proteins essential for growth. Bt corn is another type of GMO. It is bioengineered to resist the European corn borer. The borer can cause significant damage to crops. The moth's larvae feed on maturing ears of corn. Bt, bacillus thuringiensis, is a live microorganism that kills certain insects. The GMO Bt corn includes part of the bacterium's DNA in its own genetic material. As the corn grows the poison builds up and destroys the digestive system of the moth and butterfly larvae. Susceptible larvae like the European corn borer eat fatal doses while feeding on the corn. The most common GMO crops right now are corn, soybeans, sweet corn, cotton, canola (rapeseed), and sugar beets.

The biggest controversy around GMO's is food safety. Are GMO's safe to eat? In the US the regulation of GMO's falls under the EPA, USDA, and the FDA. Those three agencies deal with different areas of regulation. The EPA evaluates for environmental safety. The USDA evaluates if something is safe to grow. The FDA decides if it is safe to eat. The EPA requires growers to have a license to grow GMO crops. The EPA regulates GMO's that contain a pesticide, like Bt. The USDA regulates pre-release field testing. The USDA has groups that assess and monitor GMO crops for safety. These groups can stop the production or movement of anything deemed unacceptable and can destroy the products. Under USDA regulation a genetically modified plant does not require a permit if it meets the following six criteria.

1. Is not a noxious weed.

2. Has whatever genetic material that was introduced stably integrated into the plants own genes.

3. The function of the introduced gene is known and does not cause plant disease.

4. Is not toxic to non-target organisms.

5. Will not cause the creation of new plant viruses.

6. Does not contain genetic material from animal or human pathogen (germ).

Once the plant is grown it is under FDA regulation. Agro-biotech companies may voluntarily ask the FDA for a consultation, including an evaluation of how eating the product affects people. The companies creating new GM foods do not have to consult the FDA, nor are required to follow the FDA's recommendations after the consultation. The FDA does not require nor test GMO's for safety. Since 1992, the FDA has claimed that each GMO brought to their attention is 'generally recognized as safe' (gras) and that no independent testing is needed.

Are GMO's the biggest scientific experiment on humans and largely without our knowledge? Should GMO's be labeled? The FDA does not demand special labeling of genetically modified foods. They contend that they are substantially equivalent to non GMO foods. Safety is the most controversial aspect of GMO production. There are concerns about allergic reactions, transfer of antibiotic resistant markers and other unknown effects. Is there a possibility of environmental effects on other organisms, a transfer of trans genes through cross pollination, loss of flora or fauna and biodiversity?

Simple question, what is the purpose? The purpose of Round Up ready plants is the application of more pesticides. Glyphosates harm grazing animals and infiltrate wells and ground water. There already are resistant super weeds to Round up. It removes minerals from the soil it is sprayed on. Might I also mention that glysophates create sterility and birth defects among animals and humans? Most of the honey bee die-off, or colony collapse, is attributed to glyphosates. If enough pollinating bees disappear, our food chain is endangered further. The purpose of Bt crops is food with the pesticide already in it. This may have created mutated insect species. Research has confirmed that at least 8 populations of insects have acquired resistance to Bt crops and spraying. Please refer to natural society dot com for information and links to studies. There is a French study in which rats were fed genetically modified corn and developed tumors. Seventy percent of females died prematurely and just about all had organ damage. The study is entitled, "A Comparison of the Effects of Three GM Corn Varieties on Mammalian Health." You can find links to the abstract at natural news dot com. To sum up, in my opinion, the purpose is more pesticides dumped in the environment. The result being resistant plants and insects and negative health effects on animals and humans. It's in the water! I'm really not feeling the benefit. How about you?

Let's get back to my original question. Should GMO's be labeled? I think they should be given the information that I have learned. I want to know if any part or whole of a product I am buying contains genetically modified organisms. Label them and let consumers decide. It will come down to supply and demand. I do not think GMO and non GMO are the same. One plant will die if dosed with an insecticide and the other will not. One plant has an insecticide in its cells and the other does not. These plants did not acquire these traits on their own.

The controversy surrounding GMO's is vast and it definitely goes beyond labeling. Personally, I don't wish to be involved in a scientific experiment against my will. Other countries are banning GMO's and performing longer studies on the effects of them, so I have hope. Unless and until labeling is required I will buy organic and look for GMO free labels.

Carol Burnham is a health and wellness coach and self-proclaimed health nut. She specializes in health coaching customized for anyone who has been or is in an alcohol recovery program. The primary focus is on nourishing and cleansing the body and becoming addicted to good, vibrant health. She also enjoys yoga, hiking and playing rock band with her family. To learn more please visit http://www.healthcoachcarol.com

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The Gluten Free Report - Learn More About Labeling Genetically Modified Gluten Free Foods

The controversy over genetically modified organisms (GMO) or GM (genetically modified) foods, is becoming a mainstream debate and it should concern people following a gluten free diet.

The debate centers around whether there are negative health consequences from consuming GMO foods including those foods marketed as gluten free. There is currently a lot of information about allergic reactions and other kinds of symptoms that people are reporting and that studies are showing as a result of consuming GMO foods.

Studies show evidence that GM foods can cause infertility, immune system issues, aging at a faster pace, insulin regulation, changes affecting major organs and problems in the gastrointestinal system.

A very important reason to avoid genetically modified foods specifically is the potential for allergic reactions and other symptoms. GM ingredients may cause reactions and symptoms very similar to gluten intolerance related symptoms, so you may be mislead as to how eliminating gluten is actually working in your body.

There are efforts under way in many states to demand that all foods be labeled to identify GM ingredients. There is also a well funded GMO industry campaign to stop any effort to label GM foods. If all foods with GM ingredients were properly labeled we would have the opportunity to choose whether we want to eat GM food including those that are marketed as gluten free. At this point the only way to be sure whether any of the foods you are eating are not genetically modified is to buy only certified organic foods.

All other foods could have GM ingredients and you will not know and have no choice to make your own decisions.

There is a movement underway spurred by marketing strategies and the genuine desire to alert people by advertising foods as GMO free just like the packaging that says gluten free, and on occasion you might see packaging that says GMO and Gluten Free. This kind of labeling would be a great help to all those want to eat GMO free.

At some point in the future GM foods will need to be regulated so that any product that claims to be gluten free will be truly gluten free. When it come to GMO (genetically modified organisms) there is a lot of controversy as to the consequences for health and GMO foods and the ability to produce more foods to feed the world. These are all debates that are ongoing.

The labeling of GMO foods is not about whether you believe GMO foods are a positive benefit for humans or not, it is simply demanding the right to know, so all of us can make our own decision about what we choose to eat.

If GMO foods were such a great thing then why are big corporations like Monsanto willing to spend million to defeat any attempt to label these foods. What are they afraid of.

With labeling you can still choose to buy the GMO food, but you will know the truth about the food. Just like any other ingredient label, GMO labeling or other specialty food labeling lets you know what the food contains so you can make your own decision as to whether you want to eat it or not.

Find out why it's important to have labels on foods. Do you want to know what is in the foods you eat, would you like labeling for gluten free foods and genetically modified foods. This article was written for food and diet freedom, people should have the choice to know what exactly they are eating. For more on gluten free foods and the gluten free diet for health visit [http://theglutenfreereport.com].

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Health Risks Associated With GM Food

There is some research that indicates health risks associated with GM food like accelerated aging, introduction of high levels of toxins and allergens into your body, building resistance to antibiotics and above all low nutrient content. These are potential health risks that hold much water and so you should be careful to heed to.

Genetically Modified Organisms better known as GMO's are plants, animals and bacteria that are genetically altered. They are modified through artificial means to create new breeds that can combat various challenges that face the original organisms. GMO products have influenced what we eat as they have been appreciated in the human food supply. This is because most of modified organisms are plants.

The objective behind genetic engineering is to increase food yields and supply to the food market. GMO's are potentially harmful to both the environment and humans. Altering the genetic makeup of organisms causes an imbalance that can have far reaching effects. Introducing those particular organisms into your diet will cause some known and some unknown effects to your health. Although there are many who GM foods to be harmless for humans, there are several who feel that consuming these food items may be disastrous.

Food has been categorized into three groups. Organic food is that which is grown naturally using chemicals or pesticides. It is food that has undergone no or very little processing and contains no additives or preservatives. It is the most healthy food group as it contains the largest amount of nutrients and the least toxin content. Conventional food is the other food group and it has been the most common among the three. It is characterized by assisted growth using fertilizers and pesticides to increase yield. Such foods also tend to be processed and are known as refined foods. They have less nutrients content as compared to organic foods but are still considered safe foods. Yet GMO foods which is the third group seem to be here to stay.

It is in your interest to know how to distinguish between the organic foods and GM foods. Organic foods are considered to be the safest and of the greatest value to your health followed by conventional foods. GMO's are the foods that some health experts suggest you to avoid. There is some research that indicates health risks associated with GM food like accelerated aging, introduction of high levels of toxins and allergens into your body, building resistance to antibiotics and above all low nutrient content. These are potential health risks that hold much water and so you should be careful to heed to.

Governments across the world are hard pressed to keep their economies GMO free. As for the United States, there is no federal regulation regarding GM crops although there are states that have put in place their own laws. Over 80% of processed foods in America contain these ingredients. GM crops include grains like rice, corn and wheat; vegetable oils; legumes like soybeans and soy products; soft drinks; vegetables and fruits; meat; and dairy products including eggs. A vast array of hidden additives marks presence of GM ingredients in processed foods like ice cream, tomato sauce, margarine and peanut butter.

If you cannot avoid GM foods completely, you can at least ensure GMO low foods. There are suppliers that will provide you with such foods and you can find them with a bit of work.

Author of this article is associated with Acton Store, known for providing vitamins, grocery, drinks, bodycare and natural home products of the highest quality.

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