GMOs, or "genetically modified organisms" and GEOs, or "genetically engineered organisms" are organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. These techniques are generally known as recombinant DNA technology, use DNA from different sources which are combined into one molecule to create a knew set of genes. This DNA is then transferred into an organism giving it modified or novel genes. Transgenic organisms, a subset of GMOs, are organisms that have inserted DNA from a different species. GMOs are the constituents of genetically modified foods.
Communities and critics alike, have objected to GMOs on several grounds, including tampering with nature, ecological concerns, economic concerns raised by the fact these organisms are often subject to intellectual property law, whether food produced from GMOs should be banned or labelled, whether such food is safe, and whether GM crops are useful to address the world's food needs.
Why should I Care about GMOs?
While claims that GMOs are the answer to world hunger and the feeding of impoverished communities; it remains to be seen. Studies have shown that GMOs are are linked to allergies, inflammation, Morgellons Disease and even some cancers. It is important that you know that many GMOs, such as fruits and vegetables, are being engineered to withstand large amounts of harmful pesticides (in the spraying of huge crops), and in some cases this GMO produce is being bred to omit pesticides from within the "plant". Plants that admittedly have poisonous genes, and have in many case studies, been proven to be harmful to our bodies and to the environment!
In fact, countries with far more severe hunger issues, than that of the United States, don't seem to be using GMOs as we are and it's disturbing that California has not done more to to protect our food stream from what can only be described as contamination.
Commonly referred to as "Franken-Foods", by those opposed to the use of GMOs, the U.S. government has actually deemed GMOs "non-food" products; yet they are allowing Big Business to send it into our food stream without labeling it or giving us a right to choose whether or not we want to eat it. The danger in this is that there ar very strong arguments, and research to back those arguments, that GMOs are not safe to consume and that they are actually harming our environment by omitting toxic chemicals into the air , soil and water that need to live.
We at Keena's Kitchen take a stand and not only want to know what it is we are serving to our clients, but we refuse to use GMOs, and source only organic, sustainable foods in our California Soul™ cuisine. Others are taking a stand too; and you can join us all at http://www.carighttoknow.org/ . You can also sign the petition at Cornucopia's page to get the attention of California's Secretary of State at http://www.cornucopia.org/prop37-petition/ .
You have a right to know what it is you and your families are eating, and further, a right to choose. For more information on GMOs, visit http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/ .
In my horticulture classes, they called plants that were naturally combined (within the same species) "hybridization" and foods that were genetically altered by man (from 2 completely different species) "GMOs". Now I'm taking an Alternative Medicine class & they're saying GEOs are genetically engineered and GMOs are what I call naturally-hybridized plants. I did a google search & found a few websites that also say this (which is probably where my Alternative Medicine class got the idea). I'm thinking that Monsanto is trying to confuse us. What do you think :)
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