By Ruzeki, Shadow News
By Ruzeki, Shadow News
When you’re shopping at a grocery, there are lots of decisions to make about the food you buy. Natural, organic, no added sugar, GMO or non-GMO. So in this article, we have considered all the facts you should know about GMO.
When you’re shopping at a grocery, there are lots of decisions to make about the food you buy. Natural, organic, no added sugar, GMO or non-GMO. So in this article, we have considered all the facts you should know about GMO.
What is a GMO?
In short, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms whose genetic composition has been artificially altered through genetic engineering and processes.
The cells of these plants or animals have been inserted with a gene from an unrelated species in order to take on specific characteristics.
For example, plants might be genetically engineered to develop a resistance against insects or to increase nutrients and to develop other traits in plants, such as a resistance to browning in apples, and to create new organisms using synthetic biology.
In short, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms whose genetic composition has been artificially altered through genetic engineering and processes.
The cells of these plants or animals have been inserted with a gene from an unrelated species in order to take on specific characteristics.
For example, plants might be genetically engineered to develop a resistance against insects or to increase nutrients and to develop other traits in plants, such as a resistance to browning in apples, and to create new organisms using synthetic biology.
How do scientists make GMO foods?
- Scientists transfer new DNA into plant cells.
- They grow the cells in tissue culture, and a plant develops.
- The new plant produces seeds.
- A person grows plants from the new seeds.
- The new plants will have genetic features that make them, for example, more nutritious or resistant to pests, disease, or climate factors.
But, why do we genetically alter food at all? And is it healthy? Should GMO food be labeled? Which foods contain GMOs? How GMOs impact environment? Here’s everything you need to know about GMOs.
- Scientists transfer new DNA into plant cells.
- They grow the cells in tissue culture, and a plant develops.
- The new plant produces seeds.
- A person grows plants from the new seeds.
- The new plants will have genetic features that make them, for example, more nutritious or resistant to pests, disease, or climate factors.
But, why do we genetically alter food at all? And is it healthy? Should GMO food be labeled? Which foods contain GMOs? How GMOs impact environment? Here’s everything you need to know about GMOs.
Are GMOs safe?
There is no scientific consensus on the safety of GMOs. To date, there have been no independent and long-term epidemiological studies investigating potential effects of GMO food on human health.
Biotechnology companies have performed most of the research used to assert that GMOs are safe.
A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed animal feeding studies of GMOs found roughly an equal number of research groups raising concerns about genetically engineered foods and those suggesting GMOs were as safe and nutritious as conventional foods.
In United States, the FDA, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency - regulate GMOs for safety. According to the FDA, genetically modified foods are regulated the same as any other foods.
There is no scientific consensus on the safety of GMOs. To date, there have been no independent and long-term epidemiological studies investigating potential effects of GMO food on human health.
Biotechnology companies have performed most of the research used to assert that GMOs are safe.
A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed animal feeding studies of GMOs found roughly an equal number of research groups raising concerns about genetically engineered foods and those suggesting GMOs were as safe and nutritious as conventional foods.
In United States, the FDA, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency - regulate GMOs for safety. According to the FDA, genetically modified foods are regulated the same as any other foods.
Are GMOs labeled?
About sixty countries around the world, including Britain, Australia, Japan, and all of the countries in the European Union, require genetically modified foods to be labeled.
Canada does not require any GMO labeling. Recently in United States, the USDA requires food sellers to label GMO products as bioengineered (BE) or contains a bioengineered food ingredient to help customers easily identify them.
About sixty countries around the world, including Britain, Australia, Japan, and all of the countries in the European Union, require genetically modified foods to be labeled.
Canada does not require any GMO labeling. Recently in United States, the USDA requires food sellers to label GMO products as bioengineered (BE) or contains a bioengineered food ingredient to help customers easily identify them.
Which foods contain GMOs?
- More than 40 types of plants have been genetically modified globally.
- The most common genetically modified plants are corn, canola, soybean and cotton.
- Others include papayas, chrysanthemums, poplars, spruce, tobacco, rice, cranberries, raspberries and walnuts.
- Most packaged foods contain ingredients derived from corn, soy, canola, and sugar beet — and the vast majority of those crops grown in North America are genetically modified.
- Genetically engineered ingredients are common in animal products.
- Processed inputs, including those from synthetic biology for example hydrolyzed vegetable protein, corn syrup, molasses, sucrose, textured vegetable protein, flavorings, vitamins yeast products, microbes & enzymes, flavors, oils & fats, proteins, and sweeteners.
- More than 40 types of plants have been genetically modified globally.
- The most common genetically modified plants are corn, canola, soybean and cotton.
- Others include papayas, chrysanthemums, poplars, spruce, tobacco, rice, cranberries, raspberries and walnuts.
- Most packaged foods contain ingredients derived from corn, soy, canola, and sugar beet — and the vast majority of those crops grown in North America are genetically modified.
- Genetically engineered ingredients are common in animal products.
- Processed inputs, including those from synthetic biology for example hydrolyzed vegetable protein, corn syrup, molasses, sucrose, textured vegetable protein, flavorings, vitamins yeast products, microbes & enzymes, flavors, oils & fats, proteins, and sweeteners.
How do GMOs affect farmers and consumers?
Most of the GMO crops grown today were developed to help farmers prevent crop loss. The three most common traits found in GMO crops are:
- Resistance to insect damage
- Tolerance to herbicides
- Resistance to plant viruses
For GMO crops that are resistant to insect damage, farmers can apply fewer spray pesticides to protect the crops. GMO crops that are tolerant to herbicides help farmers control weeds without damaging the crops.
When farmers use these herbicide-tolerant crops they do not need to till the soil, which they normally do to get rid of weeds. This no-till planting helps to maintain soil health and lower fuel and labor use. Taken together, studies have shown positive economic and environmental impacts.
The most common GMO crops were developed to address the needs of farmers, but in turn they can help foods become more accessible and affordable for consumers. Some GMO crops were developed specifically to benefit consumers.
For example, GMO apples that do not brown when cut are now available for sale and may help reduce food waste. A GMO soybean that is used to create a healthier oil is commercially grown and available.
Plant scientists continue to develop GMO crops that they hope will benefit consumers.
Most of the GMO crops grown today were developed to help farmers prevent crop loss. The three most common traits found in GMO crops are:
- Resistance to insect damage
- Tolerance to herbicides
- Resistance to plant viruses
For GMO crops that are resistant to insect damage, farmers can apply fewer spray pesticides to protect the crops. GMO crops that are tolerant to herbicides help farmers control weeds without damaging the crops.
When farmers use these herbicide-tolerant crops they do not need to till the soil, which they normally do to get rid of weeds. This no-till planting helps to maintain soil health and lower fuel and labor use. Taken together, studies have shown positive economic and environmental impacts.
The most common GMO crops were developed to address the needs of farmers, but in turn they can help foods become more accessible and affordable for consumers. Some GMO crops were developed specifically to benefit consumers.
For example, GMO apples that do not brown when cut are now available for sale and may help reduce food waste. A GMO soybean that is used to create a healthier oil is commercially grown and available.
Plant scientists continue to develop GMO crops that they hope will benefit consumers.
What are the impacts of GMOs on biodiversity and the environment?
Climate change and severe weather events are disrupting normal food production and supply. GMO foods have helped maintain supplies in the face of changing environmental conditions and a rapidly growing global population. Genetically modifying some foods could make them:
- Easier to store and transport
- Less prone to waste due to disease and aging
- More likely to grow in areas with poor quality soil
- Higher in nutrients.
However, there are several environmental concerns of GMOs, which include the following:
- The risk of outcrossing, where genes from GMO foods pass into wild plants and other crops
- A negative impact on insects and other species
- Reduction in other plant types, leading to a loss of biodiversity.
Be responsible for what you consume and make healthy eating a regular habit. Read science-based, reliable sources of information, and avoid unverified statements about GMOs.
Climate change and severe weather events are disrupting normal food production and supply. GMO foods have helped maintain supplies in the face of changing environmental conditions and a rapidly growing global population. Genetically modifying some foods could make them:
- Easier to store and transport
- Less prone to waste due to disease and aging
- More likely to grow in areas with poor quality soil
- Higher in nutrients.
However, there are several environmental concerns of GMOs, which include the following:
- The risk of outcrossing, where genes from GMO foods pass into wild plants and other crops
- A negative impact on insects and other species
- Reduction in other plant types, leading to a loss of biodiversity.
Be responsible for what you consume and make healthy eating a regular habit. Read science-based, reliable sources of information, and avoid unverified statements about GMOs.
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