the going green store on gmo's
What is a GMO*?
Genetically
engineered foods are created when the genetic material from one
organism is inserted into another. Most GE** foods are commodity crops
such as corn and soy, but research is underway to develop genetically
modified fruits and vegetables. A common example of a GMO is Roundup
Ready corn. Roundup is a trade name for a broad-spectrum herbicide
marketed by Monsanto, and Roundup Ready corn comes from seed also
patented by Monsanto. (Convenient for them, eh?) You plant the corn,
spray the herbicide, and it works against all grasses except the corn,
which has been altered genetically to withstand the chemical. Because
the seed is the intellectual property of Monsanto, you may not save your
seed from one year to the next, as humans have done for millennia.
Instead, you must buy seed each year from the company. This represents a
marked shift in agriculture - farmers no longer have control over their
production, from seed to harvest, but are dependent on a large company
for their most fundamental inputs.
Why Should I Be Concerned?
According
to the Environmental Working Group, the average U.S. American eats 193
pounds of genetically engineered food in one year. And this is an
underestimate! The study zeroed in on only four of the foods most
commonly derived from GMO crops: sugar, corn-based sweeteners, salad oil
and “corn products.” The study did not consider other significant
sources of GMOs such as feed for the animals whose meat we eat. Certain
conventional crops are almost certainly genetically modified: USDA data
shows that 93% of soybeans, 88% of corn, and 95% of sugar beets are
genetically engineered.
GMOs are still so relatively new that
little is known about their long term effects on human health.
Independent research has turned up disturbing health implications such
as deteriorating liver and kidney function and impaired embryonic
development. But all research so far has been limited by licensing
agreements that control the use of genetically engineered seeds.
Because the seeds are patented, they are not able to be cultivated for
research purposes. And because genetically engineered foods are not
required to be labeled, the FDA cannot effectively track the health
results in people consuming them.
Mark Bittman of The New York
Times takes a different tack. Sidestepping the controversy over the
unknown direct effects of eating GMOs, he points out that GMO crops are
bad for all of us in another way. The purpose of most genetically
engineered crops is to withstand the chemical herbicides that are used
to grow them. These chemicals are definitively dangerous to human
health (particularly the farmers applying them!) and their constant use
leads to resistance in the weeds they are meant to kill in the first
place, which leads to the use of stronger and stronger chemicals. A
recent study from Washington State University shows that, coinciding
with the rise of GMO crops, herbicide use has increased by 527 million
pounds or 11% since 1996.
Environmental Working Group founder Ken
Cook also points out that GMO technology has precipitated the spread of
monoculture plantings of corn and soybeans, contributing to the already
dire loss of biodiversity. In the last four years, over 23 million
acres (an area the size of Indiana) of wetlands and grasslands have been
plowed up to plant more of these commodity crops.
GMOs in the News
GMOs
had a moment in the last election when Prop 37 in California, which
would have required labeling for foods containing GMOs, was defeated.
This is a shame for all of us - not just Californians - because
legislation mandating labeling of GMO foods in California would have
affected packaging across the country.
According to results
compiled by the Center for Food Safety, over 90% of Americans
consistently believe that foods containing GMOs should be labeled. And
they’re not alone; more than 50 countries require GMO labeling. So what
happened in the 2012 election? Wealthy interests, including
heavyweights like Monsanto, Kraft, Heinz, and Pepsico raised $45.9
million to campaign against Prop 37, while supporters (dubbed by NPR “a
far crunchier lineup”) were able to raise only around $9 million. (For a
list of those who donated to support labeling, check out this
friendlier list, which includes some of our crunchy favorites, like Dr.
Bronner’s, Seed Savers Exchange, Dr. Mercola, and Nutiva.)
But there is hope!
Even
though Prop 37 was defeated last year, it may have raised awareness and
galvanized support for the labeling of genetically engineered food.
There are many other state and local initiatives currently underway to
require GMO labeling. The city of Cincinnati became the first in Ohio to
pass such a resolution on November 15th, 2012. For more information on
labeling campaigns, visit Just Label It! or The Center for Food Safety.
What Can I Do Now?
In
the meantime, until we have effective GMO labeling, there are a few
ways that you can avoid genetically modified foods in your diet:
Avoid processed foods.
This general guideline is good for your health in so many ways. When
your food enters your kitchen as a whole food, there is no question
about what you’re putting in your body. Strive as much as possible to
start with whole grains, beans, vegetables...
Choose Organic.
Certified Organic foods may not contain GMO ingredients, or be grown from genetically engineered seed.
Look for the Non-GMO Project label.
Support companies like Ohio’s Berlin Bakery that have taken a stand
against GMOs.
Visit the Non-GMO Project website for a complete searchable list of
verified products and retailers or download a shopping guide to your
computer or iPhone.
Support Farmers You Know Who Grow Real Food
It’s a complicated issue! In reference to GE seeds, EWG’s Ken Cook has
written: “It turns out that we need better farmers and a better farm
bill, not better seeds.” One way to ensure the survival of these
“better farmers” - who raise a wide variety of crops that are food for
humans, rather than crops that are industrial inputs - is to support
them directly. Shop at the farmers market, join a CSA, or look for
truly local food products wherever you shop. Also think about how you
could source more of you staple foods locally. Support Ohio business
like Shagbark Seed & Mill, Stutzman Farms and Berlin Bakery that
provide and process Ohio-grown grains and beans.
Educate yourself.
You can avoid the crops most likely to be genetically modified: corn,
soy, canola, and (sugar beet) sugar, but sometimes it’s difficult to
tell which ingredients come from these plants. Familiarize yourself with the many different variations of ingredients that come from corn and soy.
Sources:
Center for Food Safety: GE Food Labeling
Opinionator: Buying the Vote on GMOs
Cincinnati Passes Resolution Requiring GE Food Labeling
Americans Eat Their Weight in Genetically Engineered Food
California Rejects Labeling of Genetically Modified Food
Another Environmentalist Apologizes Over GMOs
*GMO = Genetically Modified Organism
**GE = Genetically Engineered
