Why You Should Care About Genetically Modified Food Crops

Do you know why so many people are fighting for labeling of genetically modified foods? Genetically modified crops, also known as genetic engineering, are crops that scientist alter to create a specific type of crop. There is much debate over the health affects, environmental affects, and consumers rights.

Would you like to know what the food you are eating consist of, i.e., the ingredients? Do you feel you should have a choice when it comes to buying and eating foods that have been genetically modified?

Did you know that long lasting tomatoes were the first genetically modified food to hit the markets in 1994 and were available to consumers? Do you know whether or not you bought and ate any of those tomatoes? Are you curious about those Flavr Savr tomatoes? They are said to have contained genes that made them resistant to antibiotics, and we all know that antibiotics are used to fight infections.

Now, ask yourself what if these genes that are resistant to antibiotics spread to people and pets. Would that make fighting infectious diseases with antibiotics difficult? You are what you eat, right. I've heard that phrase many times, and it makes me very wary about eating or possibly being forced to eat GM foods.

Years ago when I heard about modified foods I thought, modified foods what's the big deal.

Until, I was browsing the Internet one day, and came across a video called The Future of Food. Normally, when watching a video on the computer I tend to lose interest after about ten minutes or so, but this particular video was so thought provoking that once it caught my attention, it kept my attention. My curiosity was piqued because I care about the health of my family and myself; and I want to eat healthy, nutritious, safe food.

After that I began researching genetically modified food, and one question that left me confused was how is food genetically modified? Eventually, I found and explanation of the process scientist use and the answer became clearer. To simplify:

1. They isolate the genes they want, this is referred to as mapping
2. They make copies of the gene which is called PCR - Polymerase Chain Reaction
3. They transfer the gene, using a piece of plant tissue
4. They insert the gene using one of there (3) methods
5. A gene cannon; a soil bacteria; a material called protoplast is used for transformation

I did have one question, what is a Gene Cannon? So, I searched for the answer, and found that the desired gene is glued to the ball, very small golden beads are used as cannon balls, then the ball is shot into the cell nucleus.

Scientist then create a new plant from the genetically modified (GM) plant tissue, they then examine it to see if the gene is functioning, and they check to see if the gene appears in the plant seeds (progeny).

Interestingly, genetic modification of crops is considered a precise technique compared to traditional processing where the transfer of other characteristics is possible. And genetic modification can transfer characteristics from one species to very different species, e.g., between plants and animals. Traditional processing can only transfer characteristics between the same or similar species.

In 2001, 3.6 million acres were used for GM crops in the United States. More than 60% of all processed food in the U.S. contain ingredients from genetically modified soybeans, corn, or canola. The three most common GM foods are soybeans, rape, and sweet corn.

Genesis 1:29 [KJV] And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

Now, I'm no scientist, or specialist on food production, but I am a Christian that believes if our Creator made things in a certain way perhaps we should not be altering the natural food He has provided for us.

In doing research on the subject of genetically modified food I am amazed at why it is being done, and I am not convinced that it is to prevent hunger, or increase food supply.

For example, Bt-corn actually produces a poison that kills harmful insects; plants have been genetically modified to tolerate crop spray, to produce insecticide, to stay fresh longer. I cannot help worrying how Bt-corn will affect my health. Golden Rice contains large amounts of vitamin A, or beta-carotene which our bodies convert to vitamin A; however, to make golden rice three (3) genes are implanted; two (2) genes from daffodils and one (1) from bacterium. What would happen if large companies that develop GM crops get patents on the seeds, and eventually end up owning the rights to all good crops?

There are a lot of reasons that consumers should become educated and care about genetically modified foods.

Personally, I want to know how the food is grown, what ingredients are in the food that I am eating, and I want to choose whether or not I eat genetically modified (GM) food. Also, I am very concerned about any connections between genetically modified food and diseases like cancer, obesity, etc., and I am not afraid to say that I agree that more testing and studies should be done to be sure what positive and/or negative affects genetically modified (GM) crops/food may have on our health and the environment.

You may not agree with my point of view or concerns, but you should learn more about genetically modified food if you care about you health, the environment, and the future of our food crops.

Sources:

http://www.organicconsumers.org/monlink.cfm

http://www.bionetonline.org/english/Content/ff_tool.htm

http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/pusztai.html

http://www.hulu.com/watch/67878/the-future-of-food