What is a GMO?

It’s hard to find a more controversial topic than genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. For a growing number of people, the term alone brings up images of big corporations like Monsanto and fears of growing Frankenfoods in their backyard. Understanding these and their implications may confuse some people. This article stresses the importance of knowing what goes into our food.  It also discusses what they are and how they affect our health and environment. Together we can wise make choices that will keep us healthy. 

What is a GMO?

A GMO is an organism that has been genetically modified (Genetically Modified Organism) to make it more resistant to disease, produce more food or produce a product that is more useful to humans.

Scientists create them from taking genes out of one species and inserting them into another species. For example, scientists have engineered bacteria so that they produce spider silk in their cell walls. This type of spider silk can be harvested from the bacteria, spun into fibers and used as artificial tendons for surgical sutures or as new types of medical implants.

Another example is plants such as corn or potatoes that hold insecticides produced by naturally occurring soil organisms called Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). These insects cannot digest the insecticide because it destroys their digestive system before they eat any plant material having it

What are the advantages of GMOs?

Genetically modified organisms are a boon to farmers. Corporation farms engineer GMO plants to produce higher yields, resist pests and diseases, grow in harsh conditions, and even repel insects with their own natural pesticides. One generation of plants often passes these traits on from one generation of plants to the next as they grow in the wild. The result is that the varieties need less water and fertilizer than conventional crops while increasing their resistance against pests or pathogens. In addition, they can be bred with other non-GMO crops so that they aren’t affected by cross-pollination with neighboring fields (which could lead them into becoming modified themselves).

The benefit for consumers is clear: healthier foods at lower prices — all because scientists were able to tweak our food supply just enough so that it’s better suited for us!

Are there disadvantages to GMOs? How dangerous are they?

There are a larger and larger number of concerned folks who believe that GMOs have the potential to be dangerous, and there is evidence to support those concerns. For example, genetically modified foods have been linked to poor health, allergies and cancer. The belief is GMOs cause poor environmental health including soil degradation and water contamination. In addition, since GMOs are not labeled in the United States (although it’s required by law), it’s difficult for consumers to avoid them or know whether a product is genetically engineered or not; however at this time most major grocery stores do offer non-GMO products on their shelves if you care about this issue enough to look for them!

Are GMOs regulated?

The FDA regulates GMOs, but the EPA and USDA also play important roles in regulating genetically modified organisms. The FDA oversees food safety and ensures that GMOs are safe for human consumption. The EPA ensures that any product or material that has GMOs is safe for the environment and does not contaminate other products. Although these regulatory agencies do not need pre-market approval from them before a GMO product can be marketed to consumers, they do perform post-market monitoring of all products containing GMOs to ensure compliance with their regulations.

Is it possible to find non-GMO foods?

Yes, it is possible to find non-modified foods. Increasing consumer demand has forced a portion of companies to remove GMOs from their products. This has bettered chances of finding non-GMO food. If you look hard enough, you can find the good food. You can find non-GMO food at your local grocery store and even smaller markets like farmers’ markets or roadside stands. In fact, the dough mix in the Bucket of Bread buckets are certified organic non-GMO ingredients…Nice find!

It’s important to know what goes into our food, so we can make choices that will keep us and our family healthy.

It’s important to know what goes into our food, so we can make choices that will keep us and our family healthy. GMOs are not a desirable choice. There is a plethora of reasons as to why you should avoid Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), including their potential health risks and environmental impacts. GMOs are not a workable solution either – they will never solve world hunger or increase crop yields in any significant way.