According to a press release dated October 2, 2000 (Stopfrankenfood.org Site Launched for Consumer Education and Action), we're getting a lot more than we bargained for when we buy our vegetables from the produce section in our local grocery store, or even at a roadside stand. Did you know that scientists are crossing apples and chickens, tomatoes and fish -- or corn and HUMANS? We are the unwilling guinea pigs in a larger than life science experiment each time we take a bit of these genetically modified foods. Who knows what kind of long term effects eating these genetically altered foods will have on our health -- and I for one do not want to find out. Nor do I want my children to participate in such a horrible experiment.
The largest company practicing genetically altered crop growing is the Monsanto corporation, who for almost 5 years has been growing and selling Genetically Engineered Soybeans. Thank god for Certified Organic Soymilk that is untouched by this corporate giant. Monsanto is also responsible for widespread use and promotion of the rBGH (recombinent Bovine Growth Hormone) which may lead to multiple health problems in people who consume milk, cheese and other dairy and beef products which come from cows treated with this hormone. Neither dairies who use rBGH nor farmers who use biotechnology to genetically alter their crops are required to label their foods to warn the public in any way. That is why I say we are unwilling participants in a huge science experiment. We did NOT sign up for this.
We need to push harder for madatory labeling of these foods on our grocer's shelves. It's not just the produce department where the danger exists. Genetically altered crops are used as ingredients in many things we buy and consume every day: rice, tortilla chips, corn and flour tortillas and taco shells, flour and baking meal products. You could read labels until your eyes go buggy and you won't find any mention of GMO's or genetically altered ingredients in these products: but they are lurking there silently.
Why do it? Scientists want to transfer desirable qualities from one organism to another, for example, to make a crop resistant to a herbicide or to enhance food value. Genes are the blueprints for every part of an organism. Genetic engineering is the process of modifying this information, particularly by artificially transferring the genes specific to one type of organism into another.
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