GE Food - The Threat To Organics

It has been over ten years now since GE food hit the scene. Have GE foods solved our crop production problems?

What is GE

GE stands for genetic engineering. Other terms used are genetically modified organism, gmo, or genetically modified food.

Every living organism is made up of DNA. This DNA determines what the organism is, whether its a cat or soybeans. It also determines characteristics of the living species. For instance, blue eyes or brown eyes.

The whole of the DNA is referred to as a 'genetic blueprint'.

Genetic engineering, or genetic modification, is the changing or altering of the genetic characteristic by inserting genes and DNA segments at the molecular level.

This is different than traditional breeding which has been used for centuries. The difference is that specific traits can be transferred between life forms that would never transfer on their own in nature. Scientists can transfer genes from bacteria or insects into plants.

The scientific claim is that this method is very precise and exacting because only a specific gene is transferred.

That may be true. Only a specific gene, responsible for a specific trait is transferred.

However, let's look a little closer...

We know that the sum total of the DNA makes up the whole. We know DNA interacts with each other in determining the result. That is why you could have a human or a pig. Two species that have similar DNA but produce a different result.

So, ask yourself "How can changing one trait not affect the messages and interaction between all the DNA?"

Transferring of genetic material is not as simple as science portrays.

If it where simple, wouldn't it happen naturally everyday?

No, the methods used would be a 'gene gun' to directly shoot DNA into cells. Or, another method is the 'gene shuttle'. This would be infectious bacterium that carries the gene across. Trouble is that science can not control where the bacteria takes the DNA in the target life.

Scientists use a tag as well. This is a 'marker' gene to identify the plants that took on the change.

So far, we have two gene alterations. But, they need a third. And that is something to activate the new genes. To do this, the new genes must be linked to 'promoter' sequences. These promoter sequences come from viral gene or even other plants.

Ok, now we have the basics. But how does this affect the food supply?

Currently GM crops are corn, canola, and soybeans in Canada. In the US alfalfa, tomatoes and cotton are also allowed.

GM sugar beets will be planted for the first time in 2008 in Canada.

The genetic modifications are to make them insect resistant and/or herbicide tolerant.

Now these traits are entered into our ecology. From there, the natural flow of seed and pollen carries them where they contaminate other crops.

This is a threat to organic farmers who must have buffer zones in place. But, there is no guarantee and no safety protocol to prevent nature from spreading the seeds.

With contamination, farmer's exports are threatened. Crops could be banned for export to countries that don't allow GM. A threat to organic farming and those farmers who don't use GM seeds.

Since 2000 the use of pesticides has skyrocketed in GM crops. A tolerance has evolved. If that wasn't enough of a threat, these seeds are patented. The corporations own them and want to be paid for these plants. These corporations have sued farmers for having the GM plants in their fields. Plants that had gotten there by contamination.

The contamination of canola with GM canola in the Canadian prairies has been so significant that almost all organic farmers can't grow canola anymore.

Monsanto, a seed producer, captured 70% of the world market with their genetically modified herbicide tolerant soybeans in 2006.

That's 70% of the planet's soybeans in 2006 were genetically modified. What if contamination spread to the other 30%?

What Does This Mean To You?

The three major crops that are GM are corn, soy and canola.

These three are used significantly in processed food. So much so that estimates put it at 70% of all processed food in North America contains GM ingredients. The exact figure is almost impossible to know because food manufacturers may not know when they are getting gm ingredients for their products. And labeling is voluntary.

Further, science has not stopped here. Science has created 'pharma' corn. Corn that is genetically altered with pharmaceuticals. The idea being to drug humans or animals. What occurred was that in 2002 this experiment contaminated other corn and 500 000 bushels of conventional corn had to be destroyed.

Currently the US government website boasts of experiments with GM bananas to immunize humans against hepatitis B.

What You Can Do

1. Avoid processed food.

2. Buy organic tofu, soya sauce or canola oil. Organic production does not allow GM.

3. Write your representative to let them know your position on this issue.

4. Support organic farmers in your area.

When you know about something, you then have potential to control that which you know about. What change will you make?
Doris Temple created http://mom-going-organic-sensibly.com to fill the need for unbiased information. The Website provides information about organic food, products and healthy nutrition. Find out what is in your food and how to eat healthier.