Organic vs Genetically Modified Foods
G.M.O./G.E. Foods
This post will examine the difference between organic and natural foods and the G.M.O.
or G.E. foods now being engineered and flooded into our food supplies. G.M.O. stands
for genetically modified organisms and G.E. stands for genetically engineered. These are
interchangeable terms and indicate that a food, meat or plant food sources have been
genetically engineered by modern science.
The idea is promoted as a manner to alter the natural DNA of an organism with DNA
molecules from different sources, which are combined into one molecule to create a new
set of genes. This DNA is then transferred into an organism, giving it modified or novel
genes. Some touted modifications include food crop plants with newly added defenses
against insects or the resistance to heavy applications of pesticides. This seemingly
beneficial application of recombinant DNA techniques is questionable at best and seems
laden with negative side effects. There are many studies that indicate how the
compounded effects of including G.E. foods in ones diet truly are negative and
unhealthful. A truly eye-opening report is the article entitled 50 Harmful Effects of
Genetically Modified Foods from the Raw-Wisdom website. To see the scientific studies
that overwhelming point out the dangers of G.M. food and to see the 50 harmful effects
go to[Link]
A Very Brief List of the Dangers of G.M. Foods
Recorded Deaths from GM
Near-deaths and Food Allergy Reactions
Cancer and Degenerative Diseases
Direct Cancer and Degenerative Disease Links
Infertility and High Infant Mortality Rates in animals fed GM
Viral and Bacterial Illness
Superviruses
Antibiotic Threat Via Milk
Antibiotic Threat Via Plants
Resurgence of Infectious Diseases
Increased Food Allergies
Birth Defects and Shorter Life Spans
Interior Toxins
Lowered Nutrition
It should take very little research online or reading such excellent books as Seeds of
Deception by Jeffery Smith to understand how harmful G.E. foods are and how they have
no place in ones diet.
Organic Foods
Natural/Organic foods are foods that are minimally processed and do not contain any
hormones, antibiotics, sweeteners, food colors, or flavorings that were not originally in
the food. This include fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and meats. In the Western Countries
especially the U.S. it becomes important to seek out organic foods. Processed organic
food usually contains only organic ingredients. Label reading becomes a mandatory skill.
Labeling
Look for Labels that expressly say 100% Organic as there are label laws that allows
food producer to mark labels as follows:
Single-Ingredient Foods- On foods like fruits and vegetables, look for a small
sticker version of the USDA Organic label or check the signage in your produce
section for this seal. The word Organic and the seal may also appear on packages
of meat, cartons of milk or eggs, cheese, and other single-ingredient foods.
Multi-Ingredient Foods- Foods such as beverages, snacks, and other processed
foods use the following classification system to indicate their use of organic
ingredients.
100% Organic Foods bearing this label are made with 100% organic
ingredients* and may display the USDA Organic seal.
Organic These products contain at least 9599% organic ingredients (by
weight). The remaining ingredients are not available organically but have been
approved by the NOP. These products may display the USDA Organic seal.
Made With Organic Ingredients Food packaging that reads Made With
Organic Ingredients must contain 7094% organic ingredients. These products will
not bear the USDA Organic seal; instead, they may list up to three ingredients on the
front of the packaging.
Products with less than 70% organic ingredients may only list organic
ingredients on the information panel of the packaging. These products will not bear
the USDA Organic seal.
So it is easy to see how confusing the labeling system in use by the USDA is currently.
Also note that some seemingly healthy food choices like soy are not so healthy if not
100% Organic. It is interesting to note that the largest G.E. crops in North America are
soy, corn, cotton and sugar beets which are processed into sugar. It is also interesting to
note that many G.E. foods are in the feed given to livestock. This of course will
adversely affect any consumers of G.E. fed meats.
Labels on Meat and Dairy Products
Natural This label means minimally processed and that the meat cant have
any artificial colors, artificial flavors, preservatives, or any other artificial ingredients
in it. Animals can still be given antibiotics or growth enhancers.
Grass Fed This term means that the animals are fed solely on a diet of grass or
hay and have access to the outdoors. Grass fed beef has been shown to have more of
the healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Free-Range This means that the animals werent confined to a cage and had
access to the outdoors.
No Hormones Added This term is allowed when animals are raised without the
use of any added growth hormones.
Do not consume meat if it does not have the above labels listed on it.
Labels on Fish
Farm Raised This is usually applies to farm raised fish. May be G.M.O. or fed
G.M.O. feed such as G.E. corn. Avoid.
Wild Caught This refers to the fish being caught in the wild. However it may be
G.M.O. fish that was farmed then released. A common practice to stock rivers and
bodies of water.
Wild Wild fish hatched and grown in natural bodies of water.
Only eat wild fish. Livestock and fish fed G.M.O. pose the same risks as if you have eaten
G.M.O.
Negative effects of Soy
Soybeans and soy products can not be considered a healthy alternative to milk or meat.
It is ironic that soy is touted as such a great healthy alternative to dairy or meat. Soy is
one of the top genetically modified crops in America right now. Something like 80% of
the soy grown is G.E. The real harm is the phytoestrogens in soy also have a detrimental
effect. Soy should never be fed to a child or infant. Feeding a baby soy formula
will deliver through the phytoestrogens, the equivalent of approximately 5 birth control
pills per day. The damage is incalculable. Soy in adults is linked to thyroid issues,
infertility and cancer.
Go Organic
Organically grown foods are generally recognized as being superior in the nutrition they
provide. These beneficial nutrients include antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, enzymes
and amino acids. The process of preparing foods through cooking, industrial processing,
gassing and irradiating all destroy the nutrients in raw organic [Link] would be a shame
to buy Organic then to over process the food through conventional cooking. This depletes
and deters from the purpose of healthful food. Consider adding Organic Raw Foods to
your diet for the most health gleaned from your foods.
Be Aware: Organic is the manner in which food is raised. This means the use of
conventional non-organic pesticide (including insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides) is
excluded. However, G.E. plants can be raised organically so it is important understand
the definitions of these words and to seek out natural or heirloom organic plants and
produce.
Excellent Documentary on Big Agro Foods
Food Inc. add link from free documentaries sites such as [Link]/
or [Link]/
To download a free copy of Food Inc go to [Link]
Eye opening but extremely disturbing documentary on Big Agricultural food practices
and GM in our food source.