Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Add Reply
Genetically Modified Foods; Do you know you're eating GMO foods?
Topic Started: Feb 6 2010, 04:23 PM (3,268 Views)
Deleted User
Deleted User

sojourner
Feb 6 2010, 07:48 PM
Thanks for the article, great stuff.

IMHO, I thought it was kind of funny when someone commented that PETA should be alerted b/c the bees and butterflies are being affected as a result of GMF(s).

It seems like this is an economical issue as well as an social issue in terms of why some people purchase those types of food. I know there are a lot of people who just can not afford to purchase organic foods because they are more expensive. In some neighborhoods, there are a lot of food deserts, so finding a local farmers market/ food stand becomes difficult for some. imho
This is very true. In some neighborhoods, you can't even find a fresh fruit, never mind one that's organic.
Quote Post Goto Top
 
Cleva_Soul
Member Avatar

bastonecannella
Feb 6 2010, 07:26 PM
I wonder with everything the way it is why the government of our country does not encourage more food education. They go into the food groups and all that stuff but when it comes to food sources, they let the masses stay in the dark.
They want to keep us in the dark because I bet if people found out, they wouldn't buy the stuff. You know our gov is money motivated, so they make the decisions that keep major corporations' pockets fat, rather than making the decision that will keep people healthy and informed. It's crazy, but other countries label the GMO foods, ours is the only one that doesn't. In the words of Michael Jackson, "All I want to say is that they don't really care about us"!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

Cleva_Soul
Feb 6 2010, 08:26 PM
bastonecannella
Feb 6 2010, 07:26 PM
I wonder with everything the way it is why the government of our country does not encourage more food education. They go into the food groups and all that stuff but when it comes to food sources, they let the masses stay in the dark.
They want to keep us in the dark because I bet if people found out, they wouldn't buy the stuff. You know our gov is money motivated, so they make the decisions that keep major corporations' pockets fat, rather than making the decision that will keep people healthy and informed. It's crazy, but other countries label the GMO foods, ours is the only one that doesn't. In the words of Michael Jackson, "All I want to say is that they don't really care about us"!
I remember a few years back on the news, Europe said they would not import our grains including rice anymore because of GMOs and the fact that the US does not label GMO foods.
Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

Frankenfood.....ick! I'm very careful with what I purchase. Buy local, folks. Consider a food co-op.
Quote Post Goto Top
 
Deleted User
Deleted User

Food co-ops are a good way of getting foods and supplements that are unprocessed or minimally processed at less of a cash expense.
Quote Post Goto Top
 
jtspirit

sojourner
Feb 6 2010, 07:48 PM
Thanks for the article, great stuff.

IMHO, I thought it was kind of funny when someone commented that PETA should be alerted b/c the bees and butterflies are being affected as a result of GMF(s).

It seems like this is an economical issue as well as an social issue in terms of why some people purchase those types of food. I know there are a lot of people who just can not afford to purchase organic foods because they are more expensive. In some neighborhoods, there are a lot of food deserts, so finding a local farmers market/ food stand becomes difficult for some. imho
Valuable information. I love water and I consume plenty of it. Thanks.

Brother,

JT
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
VoiceofReason



This Will Make You Change Your Mind About Not Buying Organic Every Time
by Kimberly Snyder on September 8, 2012

I’ve been getting a ton of questions about a recent study suggesting organic produce and meats are no more nutritious – and no better for you – than non-organics. Is this true, and does it matter if you choose organic foods over non-organic foods, or are you just wasting your money? Let’s break down the recent news and look at the many reasons why organics actually do, indeed, make a difference.

About the Study

The study was actually a meta-analysis based on a review of existing literature and studies. It contained no new information, even though many media outlets are touting its findings as new and groundbreaking. In the meta-analysis, researchers examined 17 human studies, with three examining clinical outcomes. They also evaluated 223 studies of nutrient and contamination levels in food.

The existing studies contained conflicting conclusions. Some of the studies they reviewed showed organic foods to be more nutritious. After all, organic produce tends to be grown in higher quality, more mineral-rich soil. Others showed it wasn’t.  The net result of the analysis was that organic food and non-organic food was about even nutritionally (that is, in terms of the vitamins and minerals the foods contained), although organic foods did contain higher levels of phosphorus. Phosphorus makes up about 1 percent of human body weight, and is essential for building strong bones and teeth. It is also one of the basic materials found in every cell in the human body, and it helps with energy production, cell growth, and protein synthesis.

Other findings from the meta-analysis include

Organic produce contains less pesticide contamination than conventional produce.
Higher levels of antibiotic resistant bacteria are found in non-organic pork and chicken than organic varieties.
Organic chicken contains higher levels of omega-3 fats than non-organic.
Two studies analyzed showed significantly lower pesticide levels in the urine of children eating organic foods than in children eating non-organic foods.
The meta-analysis also concluded, “Consumption of organic foods may reduce exposure to pesticide residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.”
Beyond Nutrition



There’s no doubt that the vitamins and minerals in the foods you eat make a difference in your overall health. So even if this meta-analysis showed these levels to be about even, that doesn’t mean that consuming organic foods doesn’t have a more positive effect on your health than non-organics. Beyond nutrition, choosing organic versus non-organic foods affects many aspects of human life and health, including:

Local economics
Environmental health and safety
Human toxicity
Toxicity

I talk a lot about toxicity in the human body in The Beauty Detox Solution. The meta-analysis cited above didn’t dispute that organic foods contained fewer pesticide residues than non-organics, and that’s a big deal. As our bodies fill with toxins from a lifetime of consuming pesticide residues, chemicals, and processed foods, it can slowly begin to function at less than peak capacity. You’ve often heard me give describe that toxic buildup as gunk that clogs the spokes of a wheel until it eventually begins to roll along less smoothly.

While you may notice no immediate effects of pesticide residue consumption, over the long-term your body will function less efficiently. This build-up of toxicity can show up in any number of ways that harm your health and beauty. To name a few:

Dull hair and skin
Nails that break easily
Acne and other skin problems such as rosacea or eczema
Autoimmune disease
Chronic illnesses such as asthma, arthritis, or GERD
Decreased energy levels
Weight gain
Liver scarring
Life-threatening illnesses such as cancer and heart disease
Developmental disorders
Genetic mutations
While pesticides aren’t the only chemical contributing to your overall toxicity, they play a major role.

Environmental Health and Safety

Conventional farming and ranching has a significant impact on the environment. Use of fungicides, pesticides, and herbicides on plants diminishes soil quality and leads to persistent soil contamination.  Many pesticides currently used in farming are considered persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which build up and multiple in biological entities (including human) with a significant impact on endocrine and reproductive health and immunity. These POPs don’t degrade over time, and spread rapidly through the food chain. 

Likewise, pesticide use harms many animal species. It has been implicated in colony collapse disorder, a serious condition reducing the number of bees available to pollinate plants. Colony collapse disorder presents a very serious threat to worldwide food supply.

Pesticides are also finding their way into our water supply, harming aquatic life and presenting a threat to human health. They also are responsible for creating evolved species of pests that have adapted for pesticide resistance, leading to greater use of pesticides and/or hardier and more persistent species of pests that affect plants.

Genetic modification is another problem with non-organic produce. The USDA guidelines for organic foods currently permits no genetically modified crops to be labeled as organic. Genetic modification is a relatively recent practice in agriculture – starting in about 1996. Because of this relatively short history, no health studies exist examining the long-term effects of GM foods on humans; however, mammal studies show disturbing trends including adverse effects on kidneys, liver, heart, adrenal glands, and many other organ systems throughout the body.  Choosing organic foods is the only way to know for sure you are not consuming genetically modified foods.

This is just the start of a list about all of the environmental impacts of non-organic farming. Other environmental impacts include:
Antibiotic resistance from feed animals feed antibiotics
Fetal development problems in all species
Soil depletion
Air and groundwater pollution
Harm to endangered species
Hormonal changes in animals
Contamination of drinking water
Local Economics

There is an economic impact to non-organic farming, as well. Many conventional foods are produced in giant factory farms run by mega-corporations. Small, family farmers cannot compete price-wise with these huge conglomerates, and many have been forced out of business.

While many giant, organic factory farms also exist, when you choose locally grown, seasonal, organic produce you are supporting small family farms that were once the backbone of the American economy. These farmers still contribute to local economics, and many engage in environmentally friendly, worker friendly, and sustainable practices. Selecting local organic foods also indicates you are choosing foods that are fresher and in-season, which means they taste better, as well. Purchasing foods from local farmers also decreases the distance food has to go from farm to table, reducing carbon emissions and use of fossil fuels.

You can find local, organic foods at nearby farmers’ markets, produce stands, or by joining a community supported agriculture program.

The Bottom Line

While many feel the recent meta-analysis fuels the ongoing debate about organic foods, the fact is that organics have far more benefits than the strictly nutritional. Nutrition is extremely important, and organic foods are packed with the vitamins, nutrients, and enzymes you need for good health.

Of extreme importance, organic foods respect the environment, have fewer toxicity-related health risks, and support local economies. I for one, firmly stand behind the decision to choose organic. I believe you vote with your purchases, and when you choose organic you choose to support a healthy, clean earth, and put healthy, clean produce into you and your family’s bodies.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
UTB

Man has been eating genetically modified foods for eons! Man modified it to begin with! So tell us, what else is new?


http://sallystrove.hubpages.com/hub/Rutabaga-History-Nutrition-Basic-Easy-Recipe

Quote:
 
A Bit of Rutabaga History

No one can say when the DNA of a turnip joined with that of a wild cabbage, but the rutabaga was first found in Europe during the Middle Ages and was eventually put to use as both human and animal food. Sweden was a significant early European supplier of rutabaga, hence the name "swede". Eventually, the rutabaga found its way to England and then, in 1541, to Canada. By the early 1800s, rutabaga crops were common in the northern United States. *

The rutabaga was, and is still, associated with poverty and famine, even though it grew and flourished in British royal gardens in the mid-seventeenth century. In England during and after World War II, citizens relied on rutabaga to fill their bellies while so many foods were rationed. Today in England, it is doubtful that the younger generation knows how to cook a rutabaga. **


Can you say, a genetically modification took place?

Let's look at corn.

http://www.campsilos.org/mod3/students/c_history.shtml



In the Beginning

Corn as we know it today would not exist if it weren't for the humans that cultivated and developed it. It is a human invention, a plant that does not exist naturally in the wild. It can only survive if planted and protected by humans.

Scientists believe people living in central Mexico developed corn at least 7000 years ago. It was started from a wild grass called teosinte. Teosinte looked very different from our corn today. The kernels were small and were not placed close together like kernels on the husked ear of modern corn. Also known as maize Indians throughout North and South America, eventually depended upon this crop for much of their food.

From Mexico maize spread north into the Southwestern United States and south down the coast to Peru. About 1000 years ago, as Indian people migrated north to the eastern woodlands of present day North America, they brought corn with them.

When Europeans like Columbus made contact with people living in North and South America, corn was a major part of the diet of most native people. When Columbus "discovered" America, he also discovered corn. But up to this time, people living in Europe did not know about corn.

The first Thanksgiving was held in 1621. While sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie were not on the menu, Indian corn certainly would have been.


From now on, please state FACTS, instead of bullshit, because I'm gonna CHALLENGE you at every turn!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
VoiceofReason

My post is actually regarding Organic Foods. I just wanted to post it with a FOOD topic.

How're you gonna post even a pseudo-challenge when you didn't read, mr. challenge you at every turn. (Lowercase use intentional.)

Lol!

UTB? Nah, how 'bout I call you DNR. DID NOT READ. ^_^
Edited by VoiceofReason, Sep 8 2012, 09:25 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
UTB

I'm merely stating that a some plants change genetically, due to the close proximity to each other!

I have a garden. I raised Jalapenos and also bell peppers.

One year they were planted to close, and guess what happened. The bell peppers were hot , the Jalapenos were not .

This was a simple case of genetic manipulation by nature.

It happens more frequently than one can imagine.
Not in a lab in most cases.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · General Discussion · Next Topic »
Add Reply