So, I’ve reviewed and given away some fantastic eco-products over the past weeks. Congrats to the winners – I hope you’re enjoying your prizes! – and don’t forget that a few of the giveaways are still open for entries!
Now I need to move on to something that has always been high on my list of concerns… the foods I feed my family. It’s been no secret that I favor organic foods (and I’m an avid supporter of CSAs). I also try to steer clear of anything processed and shop the perimeter of grocery stores where fresh foods are often found. But, more and more, genetically altered foods are finding their way into our daily “eats”!
One of my previous posts talked about all of my biggest concerns with these foods but, for a simple explanation: genetic modification is a process of recombining DNA in food sources to introduce new characteristics or desirable traits. Ugh. Changing DNA?!? There is also no long-term and/or conclusive research about the consumption of these “altered” foods and the effects on the people consuming them… doesn’t that just make your stomach swirl… yea, in a big way!
Would it bother you more if I told you that, currently, these genetically engineered foods have no labels identifying them as GMO. The FDA simply has no requirements.
Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the Just Label It campaign has a petition to the FDA demanding that genetically engineered foods are labeled… if you’re so compelled, sign it and tell them you want to know what you’re eating!
A dear friend of mine taught me that “silence is compliance”… when it comes to my family’s food, I don’t want to be silent! Sign with me?
This is so disturbing. I’m not sure about the long term health effects, for all we know it’s perfectly harmless. Even so, I think you are absolutely correct that these foods should be labeled. Thanks for the link!
Since the first woman started culivating plants we have been changing plants to fit our needs. The same can be said of animals also. Selective breeding and hybredising have been used for generations. My favorite is the Chicken, ever heard of actual wild ones? Seems there are none but those of the domesticted varieties. Corn could also be seen in the same light. Originally a grass and now it is used in just about evrything in American diets.
Is genetic manipulation safe we don’t know but we can raise the questiion. By the same token you might wonder if selective breeding and hybredising plants are right either. Just how far is too far. Look at some of the domestic animals that exist today. Many animals wouldn’t servive if man just disapeared and let them free. The domistic pig is said to be the acception as it can revert to a wild state in a generation or so.