Genetically modified food

[DrLeftover]

"GM" food

damn

http://www.ers.usda....a/BiotechCrops/


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Genetically modified foods are foods produced from organisms that have had specific changes introduced into their DNA using the methods of genetic engineering. These techniques have allowed for the introduction of new crop traits as well as a far greater control over a food's genetic structure than previously afforded by methods such as selective breeding and mutation breeding.

Commercial sale of genetically modified foods began in 1994, when Calgene first marketed its Flavr Savr delayed ripening tomato. To date most genetic modification of foods have primarily focused on cash crops in high demand by farmers such as soybean, corn, canola, and cotton seed oil. These have been engineered for resistance to pathogens and herbicides and better nutrient profiles. GM livestock have also been experimentally developed, although as of September 2013 none are currently on the market.

There is broad scientific consensus that food on the market derived from GM crops poses no greater risk to human health than conventional food. However analysts have objected to GM foods on several grounds, including public health issues, environmental concerns, and economic concerns raised by the fact that GM seeds (and potentially animals) that are food sources are subject to intellectual property rights owned by multinational corporations.

So, what are your thoughts on genetically modified food?

Can this science be used to help us or to hurt us?

 

[DrLeftover]

"GM" food

Wait! It get's better:

In the United States, the regulatory process is confused because there are three different government agencies that have jurisdiction over GM foods.



GM crops such as B.t. pesticide-laced corn or herbicide-tolerant crops but not foods modified for their nutritional value fall under the purview of the EPA. The USDA is responsible for GM crops that do not fall under the umbrella of the EPA such as drought-tolerant or disease-tolerant crops, crops grown for animal feeds, or whole fruits, vegetables and grains for human consumption.



Under current guidelines, a genetically-modified ear of corn sold at a produce stand is not regulated by the FDA because it is a whole food, but a box of cornflakes is regulated because it is a food product. The FDA's stance is that GM foods are substantially equivalent to unmodified, natural foods, and therefore not subject to FDA regulation.

http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php

 

[DrLeftover]

"GM" food

And not, the PLU code on the bananna doesn't tell you anything except the price. It is the PRICE LOOK UP code, and every grocery store chain has their own.



New URBAN LEGEND debunking and NON FICTION article coming soon to a organic fair trade free range sustainable cruelity free internet provider near you.



However, in the mean time.... it is nice to know that Brazil produces crops that are 'for export only' because they have restrictions on GM food for sale in country.



Kinda like the way the US does horse meat.

 

[DrLeftover]

"GM" food

Interesting view of things:

http://www.responsibletechnology.org/blog/858

 

[DrLeftover]

"GM" food

Enter: Ignorance.

In an open letter sent of May 14, Chavannes Jean-Baptiste, the Executive Director of MPP (Peasant Movement of Papay) and the spokesperson for the National Peasant Movement of the Congress of Papay (MPNKP), called the entry of Monsanto seeds into Haiti “a very strong attack on small agriculture, on farmers, on biodiversity, on Creole seeds…, and on what is left our environment in Haiti.”[1] Haitian social movements have been vocal in their opposition to agribusiness imports of seeds and food, which undermines local production with local seed stocks. They have expressed special concern about the import of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

http://foodfreedom.wordpress.com/2010/05/17/haitian-farmers-commit-to-burning-monsanto-hybrid-seeds/

 

[El Churro]

"GM" food

Stuff like this?

 

[Evil Eye]

"GM" food

So?



While yes, care has to be taken, the potential benefits are enormous.

 

[Fatal Dawn]

"GM" food

Aren't most of the foods we eat today modified when you think about it?



Explain this to me:

[font=tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif]

[font=tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Under current guidelines, a genetically-modified ear of corn sold at a produce stand is not regulated by the FDA because it is a whole food, but a box of cornflakes is regulated because it is a food product.[font=tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif]

 

[Evil Eye]

"GM" food

Aren't most of the foods we eat today modified when you think about it?

As in bred a certain way to make them more useful to humans? Yes.

Come to think of it... is that regulated?

 

[DrLeftover]

"GM" food

... .... .... I'll let you know.

 

[DrLeftover]

"GM" food

UPDATE:



You will not believe the chilling direction the research into the article has just taken.



I'm doing it, and writing the article, and I don't believe it.



It almost reads like the plot to one of those SyFy movies that they run in the middle of the night.



The problem with that analogy is that what the article is talking about is true.



More to come.

 

[Evil Eye]

"GM" food



Do go on...

 

[DrLeftover]

"GM" food

Do you really want me to?

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/...ant-trout-genetically-engineered-modified-gm/

 

[Evil Eye]

"GM" food

Yes actually.



That fish looks cancerous... Like it has tumours...

Still, more food is a benefit.

 

[DrLeftover]

"GM" food

The article is done.



A few loose ends to tie up, and some proofing, it should be posted tonight.



In the mean time, think about this chart;

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/BiotechCrops/

 

[DrLeftover]

"GM" food

I will answer any and all 'serious' questions with data and links.



There were sources that were not listed in the article.

I need the Dr to research this and tell me if it's true. Can you tell if fruit has been genetically engineered by the PLU code at the store?

Ms T

Yes, Ma'am. But remember, you asked.

First we'll look at the PLU tie-in and examine exactly what 'genetic engineering' is, then we'll stroll through a much larger, and darker issue and perhaps end up living out an old, somewhat chilling, statement usually reserved for those who deserve it. But in our case, all we did to deserve it was to order lunch:

Tonight, is a good night, to wake up, Screaming.

http://themediadesk.com/files8/gmofood.htm

 

[DrLeftover]

"GM" food

What sorts of foods are being genetically modified?



You'd be better off asking, 'what isn't'.

This paragraph is from the Produce Marketers webpage as motioned above.

The World Health Organisation issued a June 2005 report on a study it conducted on the application of modern biotechnology in food production: “Modern food biotechnology, human health and development: an evidence-based study. The report noted: “The first major GM food was introduced on the market in the mid-1990s. Since then GM strains of maize (corn), soybeans, rape (canola), and cotton have been marketed internationally in several areas. In addition, GM varieties of papaya, potato, rice, squash, sugar beet and tomato have been released. It is estimated that GM crops cover almost 4% of total global arable land.

Link in article.

 

[DrLeftover]

"GM" food

This morning at the grocery store, I noticed several packages claiming to be ORGANIC.



I looked at a few of them.



Only on one did it say something about not containing all 'organically sourced ingrediants based on availability' or something along those lines.



Of course, given the way the regulations are written, they don't have to say anything like that, and can still charge as much as they can get somebody to pay.

 

[Evil Eye]

"GM" food

Isn't that nice...

Will get to reading later on.



Edit: This comes to mind: http://www.smbc-comics.com/index.php?db=comics&id=2445#comic.

And you could've mentioned insulin... but yeah, there are a lot of scary possibilities. Especially now that it turns out DNA strands from your food DON'T all get broken down and some of them can enter your cells where they could be read and your body could start producing some enzyme it normally doesn't.

 

[DrLeftover]

"GM" food

I could have mentioned a lot of things, including diseases, nutrients that the body cannot recognize, and derivitives that are digestively unpopular such as that new designer fat that was out a few years ago.



The article was long enough as it was.



But thank you for the tip for the next one.