You see it everywhere, market labels as “Non-GMO Certified.”
While we want to believe we are being told the truth, the fact Is, the non-GMO label is based on a false premise.
In reality, the foods we eat have already been “genetically modified,” it looks nothing like the foods our ancestors ate.
Crops were genetically modified starting in the 1960s and ’70s using a practice called “mutagenesis breeding.”
Seeds were exposed to gamma radiation in substantial doses, and then sifted through to find ones with mutations to their DNA that had most desirable qualities.
So, when we are told that a product is non-GMO, that isn't necessarily accurate.
With the exception of a few foods, literally everything we eat has been genetically modified, and saying otherwise just isn't true.
Wild carrots were grown in the 10th century.
These were thought to originally be purple or white with a thin, forked root. ( see photo above)
Wild Corn
Perhaps the most interesting example of selective growing is sweetcorn, which was bred from the barely edible teosinte plant.
Natural corn, was first domesticated in 7,000 BC and was dry like a raw potato.
Modern Corn
Today, corn is 1,000 times larger than it was 9,000 years ago and much easier to grow.
It's sweeter as well, 6.6% of it is made up of sugar, compared with just 1.9% in natural corn.
Many of these changes occurred since the 15th century, when European settlers started cultivating the crop.
Wild Peach
Peaches used to be small, almost like cherries.
They were first domesticated around 4,000 B.C. by the ancient Chinese and tasted earthy and slightly salty, like a lentil.
Today's Peach
But now peaches are now 64 times larger, 27% juicier, and 4% sweeter.
So next time someone tells you we shouldn't be eating food that's been genetically modified, you can tell them, it's too late, we already are.
It's good to know that maybe, just maybe there are foods that are currently non-GMO, but it's like closing the barn door after horses have escaped.
But, why do we have GMO foods anyway?
Proponents say we can protect crops from pests and diseases and helps feed the poor countries because it help produce better harvests.
Steve Savage has been working in the field of agricultural technology for over 35 years.
Steve has a B.S. in Biology from Stanford University and a PhD in Plant Pathology from UC Davis.
He has worked in academia at Colorado State University, been a part of large-scale chemical company, DuPont, and worked at start-up, bio-control company, Mycogen.
Since 1996, Dr. Savage has been an independent consultant continuing to work with a variety of technology or investment clients in the areas of plant genetics, crop protection chemicals, biocontrol, biotechnology, biofuels and sustainability.
Since 2009, he has written over 300 blog posts and given dozens of talks for technical and non-technical audiences.
Here's some of what Dr. Savage has to say:
"What if much that you think you know about agriculture, farming and food isn't actually true?
What if there are "myths" that have been intentionally and mostly unintentionally spread about these issues? What if the truth about these issues matters for the future of humanity?
That is what this blog is about.
If you are interested in learning more about my business as a public speaker, please visit my website, drstevesavage.com."
"Feeding the world may not seem like an urgent need from the perspective of a rich society with an obesity epidemic.
Technologies that make life easier and less risky for farmers may not seem compelling in a society with very few people have anything to do with crop production.
Developing rice to prevent blindness and death in poor countries generates vehement opposition from some elements of our wealthy society.
There are, however, some threats to the future of our lifestyles that might motivate consumers to take a second look at the debate around GMO crops."
"What if premium coffee, gourmet chocolate, fine California wine, bananas, or not-from-concentrate orange juice become costly or scarce? Would that matter to you?"
"The fact is, there are significant threats to the future production of those luxury crops.
Yet, because of the influence of the anti-GMO movement, we are far less prepared to deal with these threats than we could have been."
Steve Savage describes contamination from GMO crops as “something that is actually a very old and very manageable.”
Dr. savage makes s good argument, but we remain skeptical about GMO's being manageable and about possible contamination of natural food by GMOs.
There's no way we can be certain the GMO food we but is free from altered genes, that includes organically grown foods.
We have difficulty believing industry promises of safety when there is a history of lies and cover-ups about the risks of their products.
There are studies that linked GMO crops to all sorts of health problems.
A recently published study by Brazilian researchers linked the bacteria GMO crops often carry, Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT), to leukemia.
The researchers fed mice Bt toxins, and found that the mice developed blood cancers, including leukemia, blood abnormalities, abnormal lymphocyte patterns and suppression of bone marrow proliferation.
A study published last spring found that pigs fed a GMO diet developed gastric and uterine differences, and a French study published last year found that rats fed GMO corn had kidney, liver, heart, adrenal glands, spleen and hematopoietic system problems.
Are GMOs really needed to feed the world population?
Biotech companies, like Monsanto, tell us that their crops are helping food production around the world.
But a 2009 report by the Union of Concerned Scientists found that GMO crops have done little to increase overall crop yields. Specifically, GMO soybeans haven’t increased yields, and GMO corn has only minimally increased yields.
Earlier this year UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director General, Jose Graziano da Silva, stated that GMOs are not needed to eliminate hunger.
“Our position as FAO is not that we are against GMOs but we are saying we don't need them now to eradicate hunger.”
So, there's the discussion, you have heard from both sides.
This thumbnail sketch is but a small look at a big subject, only you can decide what is best for you.
