GMO-friend or foe?

There has been an ongoing debate about whether or not genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are safe for human consumption. While the majority of scientists argue that GMOs are safe, many people feel uneasy about eating them. So what is the real deal? Are GMOs friend or foe?

What is a GMO?

A GMO is a plant or animal that has been genetically modified. GMOs have been used in agriculture since the 1990s to make plants resistant to pests and weeds. Farmers grow GMOs because they produce higher yields than conventional crops do, which means more food for people around the world.

Why are GMOs bad?

Caution should always be present when something is not natural. The genes that are inserted into the DNA of plants and animals were not created by nature, but by humans in a lab. This makes them different from other foods that have been grown for thousands of years without any genetic modification. Since we do not know how these new genes will affect our bodies or the environment, many people believe it is safer to avoid them altogether until more research has been done on their effects.

There is a huge concern with GMOs and glyphosate consumption. Some genetically modified crops have been engineered to be resistant to glyphosate, a broad-spectrum herbicide. Because of these crops’ resistance, it allows farmers to use glyphosate to control weeds and help in the drying process without harming the crop itself. Glyphosate residues have been detected in various foods, including grains, vegetables, and fruits, as well as in animal products from animals that have been fed GMO crops treated with glyphosate. You should care about glyphosate because of its potential role in cancer development, endocrine disruption, and its probable negative impact on the microbiome, gut, fetal development, kidneys, and liver.

Another reason why GMOs may be harmful is because they have not been tested thoroughly enough before being released into the market (or onto our dinner plates). Unlike other products like medications or cosmetics which must go through rigorous testing before being sold commercially, genetically modified organisms do not require any sort of approval process at all!

This means there could be harmful side effects from eating them--but since no one knows what those side effects might be yet, there is a risk involved with ingesting GMO foods.

Can we avoid GMOs?

The short answer is yes. But let’s first discuss the challenges involved in avoiding them. GMOs are not labeled as such; they are just considered a normal part of the food supply and therefore do not need to be labeled. Thus, it may be time to start purchasing foods that are grown organically, which are generally GMO-free since they are not allowed genetically modified seeds.

One has to watch out for GMOs when consuming meat products. Animals raised for consumption often eat feed containing genetically modified crops--this includes cattle and poultry raised on large industrial farms where they are fed corn instead of grasses or other natural diets (which would likely not include GMOs). If you are concerned about eating meat that may have been fed GMO feed, look for labels on packaged meat products that say ” grass-fed,” “pasture-raised” and “organic.” These terms are regulated by the USDA and mean that the animal was not raised on a diet of genetically modified ingredients.

Look for new labels.

Foods that have GMO ingredients are currently being labeled “Derived from Bioengineering.”

The new label will appear on all foods that contain genetically modified ingredients. Foods that are 100% GMO-free will still be labeled as such, with a “non-GMO” statement.

Processed foods will have a label on the packaging that will say “bioengineered,” yet it will not say which of its ingredients have GMOs. This is why it is best to stick with whole foods: foods that have little or no other ingredients in them.

GMOs may be safe, but there is so much we have yet to learn about them.

The most important thing to remember about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is that we do not fully understand them. They are a new technology, and we do not know what the long-term effects of GMOs will be on human health or the environment.

GMOs are not regulated by any government agency in the United States, so there is no guarantee that they are safe for you to eat. In fact, some scientists believe that GMOs pose serious health risks because they contain genes from other species--like bacteria--that may cause allergies or other problems when consumed by humans.

It is important to remember that not all GMOs will harm you, but there are enough concerns to warrant concern about their safety. If you are looking for ways to avoid GMOs or make healthier choices in general, try purchasing organic food whenever possible.