October is Non-GMO Month. GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, are plants or animals that have had their genetic material altered unnaturally so that the organisms exhibit traits that do not naturally occur.
Do you know how much of this stuff you are eating? Probably not, because in the United States, foods containing GMOs, or yes, genetically engineered foods, are not required to be labeled! Let me share with you guys some things I have learned about this topic.
GMOs are common in US agriculture. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), reports that 94 percent of soy, 88 percent of corn and more than 90 percent of sugar beets are grown using genetically modified seeds. Livestock are commonly fed genetically modified grains. The Grocery Manufacturers Association has estimated that 75 percent of all foods on the market contain GMOs!
It is unknown what the long-term effects of eating genetically modified food are. The National Academy of Sciences suggests that genetically engineered crops have the potential to introduce new toxins and allergens into our food. Studies are being conducted, but by the time results of long term studies are concluded, our children could already been consuming this questionable material their entire lives.
Do you think we should be able to decide for ourselves whether we want to take this risk for our families? I do! So does the Non-GMO Project (www.nongmoproject.org). Read More
