Genetically Modified Foods

What are genetically-modified foods - GMOs ?
Defined as crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques. They have been modified in the laboratory to enhance desired traits such as increased resistance to herbicides or improved nutritional content.

The bio-chemical industry is going after two crops, corn and soy, because of their high demand for use throughout processed goods and biofuel industries.

Many of the genetically modified foods you can find on your grocers’ shelves, today, because they don’t have to be labeled.

Major processed foods made with genetically modified organisms: Popcorn, Canola Oil, Cottonseed Oil, Soy Sauce, Frozen Pizza, Frozen Dinners, Dry Cereal, Baby Formula, Canned Soups, Cookies, Ice Cream, Aspartame Sweetener.

But…

We don’t know the extent to which the long-term exposure to these modified foods can affect us: 

1-there is little scientific study about their health risks
2-safety test technology is inadequate to assess potential harm
3-they can carry unpredictable toxins
4-they may increase the risk of allergenic reactions

 
“To me, the only reasonable solution is to require that all GM plant products destined for human consumption be tested for long-term toxicity and carcinogenicity before being brought to market”
(David Schubert Nature Biotechnology,Vol 20, No10 p. 969October 2002.)

A story to be continued…

Taken from this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_food

Food	Modification
Soybeans	Herbicide resistant gene taken from bacteria inserted into soybean
Corn, field (Maize)	New genes, some from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, added/transferred into plant genome.
Cotton (cottonseed oil)	Bt crystal protein gene added/transferred into plant genome
Alfalfa	New genes added/transferred into plant genome.
Hawaiian papaya	New gene added/transferred into plant genome
Tomatoes	A reverse copy (an antisense gene) of the gene responsible for the production of PG enzyme added into plant genome
Canola	New genes added/transferred into plant genome
Sugar cane	New genes added/transferred into plant genome
Sugar beet	New genes added/transferred into plant genome
Rice	Current version of Golden Rice under development contains genes from maize and a common soil microorganism.Previous prototype version contained three new genes: two fromdaffodils and the third from a bacterium
Squash (Zucchini)	Contains coat protein genes of viruses.
Sweet Peppers	Contains coat protein genes of the virus.