Martin Environmentally Sustainable Schools Action Group Elite
M.E.S.S.A.G.E
A Student Organization at Martin Public Schools.
What are GMOs? Should we label them? Are they dangerous?
Please Define a GMO.
The abbreviation for genetically modified organism. A GMO is an organism whose genome has been altered by the techniques of genetic engineering so that its DNA contains one or more genes not normally found there.
Why should I care about GMOs?
GMOs have been found to be linked to allergies, various digestive and bowel syndromes and autism.
Various feeding studies in animals have resulted in tumors, damaged immune systems, smaller brains, livers, birth defects, reproductive problems and infertility
Crops are being genetically engineered as “Roundup Ready” so they can withstand massive spraying with the toxic pesticide, doesn’t readily break down in the environment, and ends up in our streams.
New super weeds and super bugs are becoming Roundup resistant, so more stronger pesticides are being used.
The built-in pesticides found in genetically engineered crops may be largely responsible for the dying off of many insects, including honey bees and Monarch butterflies.
Source: kidsrighttoknow.com/gmos/
Conversation continued...
What exactly is a GMO?
GMO stands for "genetically modified organism" and can refer to plants or animals created by way of gene-splicing techniques. Splicing merges DNA from different species to create combinations that would not occur naturally in nature. Genetic engineering is not to be confused with cross-breeding (the practice of combining, for example, dog breeds).
Biotechnology companies are largely engineering GMO crops to resist direct application of herbicide. This allows the crop plants to live while surrounding weeds die.
Why have other countries banned GMO crops?
More than 40 countries—including all of Europe, as well as Japan and India—have at least some requirements governing the labeling of genetically modified foods. In Europe, labeling laws are strict, and many genetically engineered crops are banned outright.
So what do 40 countries acknowledge that the U.S. doesn't? One of the most compelling arguments driving labeling laws is that we just don't know what GMOs are capable of. They're a relatively recent development in agriculture, and we've yet to see their long-term effects. However, animal testing has linked GMOs with cancer, miscarriage, organ damage, and other health problems, which some countries have determined is enough evidence to put on the brakes.
Beyond health effects, genetically modified seeds restrict biodiversity and create hairy situations between organic farmers and those using genetically modified seeds. Genetically modified pollen or even the seeds themselves can drift into organic fields; with patenting laws making it possible for companies to sue farmers who use their seeds without permission, the act of planting crops can become a legal nightmare.
How prevalent are GMOs in the U.S.?
Genetically modified foods make their way into the food system in not-so-obvious ways, such as ingredients in prepackaged foods and as corn syrup in your fruit juice.
The Center for Food Safety breaks it down: 85 percent of U.S. corn, 91 percent of soybeans, 88 percent of cotton (cottonseed oil is in food products), and 95 percent of sugar beets are genetically engineered. Many of these major crops enter packaged foods in various forms.
Estimates suggest "upwards of 70 percent of processed foods on supermarket shelves" contain genetically modified ingredients.
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What can I do?
If you want to avoid GMOs completely, the easiest thing you can do is buy certified organic foods and seeds (if you're growing your own produce). Stringent requirements for organic foods require that, among other things, they cannot be genetically modified.
For other foods that are not produce, such as crackers, noodles, breads, and other processed foods, you need to get a little savvier. "Organic" on a label doesn't always mean 100 percent organic...
(Selection from http://www.takepart.com/article/2012/09/04/whats-gmo-and-why-should-we-care)