It is important to note the difference between hybridization and genetic modification. Hybrids are created by cross pollinating two plants – something that could happen in nature. Conversely, genetically modified plants are created by combining the DNA of two very distinct species – ie a fish and a tomato. I would seriously question anyone who tells you this is a “natural” extension of plant propagation.
There are two basic categories of genetically engineered plants:
- Herbicide-tolerant crops: Plants engineered to withstand heavy herbicide spraying without sustaining damage
- Pesticide-producing crops: Plants engineered to produce their own pesticides – so if a bug bites one, its stomach explodes and it dies
I believe this is really an issue of choice. As much as we like to believe that we live in a democracy where we are given the right to choose, the issue of GMO suggests otherwise. Look on any label to see if it lists GMO ingredients. It simply is not required in Canada or the US, although there are 40 developed countries that do require GMO labeling. Because of the lack of manditory labeling, Canadians are often unaware that the foods they choose contains GMO ingredients.
The unlabelled ingredient in Baby Food
As a mother I was appalled to see just how many baby foods contain GMO ingredients. Here is a list I copied from http://shiftfrequency.com/comprehensive-list-of-gmo-products
Nabisco (Phillip Morris)
- Arrowroot Teething Biscuits
- Infant formula Carnation Infant Formulas(Nestle)
- AlSoy
- Good Start
- Follow-Up
- Follow-Up Soy
Enfamil Infant Formulas (Mead Johnson)
- Enfamil with Iron
- Enfamil Low Iron
- Enfamil A.R.
- Enfamil Nutramigen
- Enfamil Lacto Free
- Enfamil 22
- Enfamil Next step (soy and milk-based varieties)
- Enfamil Pro-Soybee
Isomil Infant Formulas (Abbot Labs)
- Isomil Soy
- Isomil Soy for Diarrhea
- Similac(Abbot Labs)
- Similac Lactose Free
- Similac with Iron
- Similac Low Iron
- Similac Alimentum
Learn More
For more information on GMO labeling visit http://justlabelit.org/right-to-know/
This is a very serious and controversial issue. It deserves more than a few quick words so we will be addressing it with information and links to studies and statistics. In the meantime, we’d like to leave you with this thought:
Apart from what GMOs do to our environment, if a company genetically modifies seeds to make food crops impervious to herbicides (like Round Up) and pesticides, how much of those chemicals are being using on the food you eat and what are the potential long term effects on us and on future generations.
truck farm 