Think you know what you’re eating? According to the USDA, in 2009, 93 percent of soy, 93 percent of cotton, and 86 percent of corn grown in the U.S. were GMOs, “genetically modified organisms.” GMOs are organisms that have been created through techniques of biotechnology (also called genetic engineering, or GE).
This relatively new science allows DNA from one species to be injected into another species in a laboratory, creating combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods. Surprised? Incredible isn’t it?
“Pesticide companies develop genetically engineered food crops by combining deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from plants, animals, bacteria and viruses, to contain or resist pesticide, which results in more pesticides sold and sprayed,” says Michael Hansen, Chief Scientist of Consumers Union. “Genetically engineered foods contain untested novel foreign compounds that can be detrimental to our health.”
American consumers deserve d, the FDA approved commercial production of GMOs based on studies conducted by the companies who created them and profit from their sale.
Robert Brackett, the Director for the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at the Food and Drug Administration stated in a testimony before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry that FDA is confident that the bioengineered foods in the United States market today are as safe as their conventional counterparts. The FDA has found no evidence to indicate that DNA inserted into plants using bioengineering presents food safety problems.
The FDA does not require labeling to indicate whether a food or food ingredient is a bioengineered product. It also does not require labeling to indicate which conventional breeding technique was used in developing a food plant. According to an ABC News Poll, 93 percent of Americans say the federal government should require labels on food saying whether it’s been genetically modified or not.
Surely the use of GMOs will continue, but we have a right to know what’s in our food. At least if it has a label we can choose to buy it or not. Currently we’re in the dark. Awareness might make a difference next time you find yourself in a grocery store.
Look for non-GMO labeled foods and buy organic products when you can.
Visit justlabelit.org/takeaction if you want to sign the petition to tell the FDA to label our food.
