Genetically modified food

[johnwang]

My wife starts to throw away all the food in my refrigerator which doesn't labeled "Non-GMO". She also stops using micro wave. Has this became an issue to you?

[Steve James]

Not yet, thank goodness. There are plenty of suggestions about what not to eat, though; and there are some people who think only raw organic food should be eaten. But, hey, I say a happy wife means a happy life

[Interloper]

Microwave ovens have been here for decades now, but are there any studies that show definitively that people are being sickened by them? Until then, I'm warming up oatmeal in the ol' microwave oven...

GMO food... If an overwhelming number of cases of genetic mutation in humans and domesticated animals start showing up, traced to absorption of genetically altered foodstuffs, then I'll be concerned. Waiting for the research results.

[vadaga]

i do think the veggies, eggs and dairy in Europe tastes noticeably better and is more filling. Whether this is due to the fact that it is non-GMO or placebo effect, I cannot say conclusively. I would probably go with the former

[Ian C. Kuzushi]

There are studies that show microwaving food lessens the nutritional value (vitamins, antioxidants), but not that it will kill you. As for GMOs, some seem to have bad effects, but not all. I mean, part of the agricultural revolution was genetic modification. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water, but we should have more long term studies.

The poor taste in US grocery store us probably due to picking and shipping unripe fruit (which is often modified to last longer in this state). I have read some papers on this, but the proof that really told me this was my vegetable garden and fruit trees.

[Michael]

I'd go hungry for a long time before I'd eat microwaves food.

[Interloper]

I think that American food tastes "flatter" in part due to what Ian pointed out -- fruits picked unripe to withstand long-distance shipping (from Equador, Mexico, etc.). Veggies actually tend to be picked "ripe" (being veggies, we're not waiting for sugars to build up, just size). But, there are new varieties that, while not GMO, are selected for traits that make them less likely to bruise or damage when shipping, but in so doing may sacrifice the genes that gave the plants their aromatic flavors. The selection process is natural, in that it's all about breeding with the genetic material already naturally available in the plants' hereditary stock... no weird genes from other species are being spliced -- but the tinkering can result in produce that looks palatable but which is less nutritious or tasty than its ancestors.

[XinKuzi]

There are studies that show microwaving food lessens the nutritional value (vitamins, antioxidants), but not that it will kill you. As for GMOs, some seem to have bad effects, but not all. I mean, part of the agricultural revolution was genetic modification. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water, but we should have more long term studies.

The poor taste in US grocery store us probably due to picking and shipping unripe fruit (which is often modified to last longer in this state). I have read some papers on this, but the proof that really told me this was my vegetable garden and fruit trees.

Ian,

Selective breeding was part of the agricultural revolutions. Genetic modification is not the same thing - it has not been around very long. The first time GMO foods were sold in stores was 1994 (Flavr Savr tomato: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flavr_Savr)

I agree about the taste of produce in stores.

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As for the rest of this discussion:

I think it worth mentioning that most of the produce in US stores is not genetically modified. Most of it is grown using modern, conventional farming practices, but that doesn't mean the produce itself was genetically modified. I think a lot of people assume everything in the US is GMO.

I do think all GMO products should be labeled so consumers can know what they're getting.

[johnwang]

94 percent of the US soybean crop was genetically modified in 2011, according to the USDA.

http://action.greenamerica.org/p/salsa/ ... 7AodvWEAUQ

9 GMO Ingredients to Avoid

Because of the prevalence of soy and corn in processed foods, about 30,000 genetically modified food products sit on US grocery store shelves.

Here are the top 9 GM ingredients to watch for:

1. SOY
GM since: 1996
How widespread: 94 percent of the US soybean crop was genetically modified in 2011, according to the USDA.
What to watch for: Soybeans show up in many traditional (i.e. not organic) soy products, such as tofu, soy milk, soy sauce, miso, and tempeh, as well as any product containing the emulsifier lecithin (often derived from soybean oil), such as ice cream and candy.

2. COTTONSEED
GM since: 1996
How widespread: 90 percent of the US cotton crop was genetically modified in 2011, according to the USDA.
What to watch for: The cotton plant, genetically modified to be pest-resistant, produces not only fibers for fabric, but also cottonseed oil, available on US shelves as a standalone product, and also commonly used as an ingredient in margarine, in salad dressings, and as a frying oil for potato chips and other snacks.

3. CORN
GM since: 1996
How widespread: 88 percent of the US corn crop was genetically modified in 2011, according to the USDA.
What to watch for: GM corn can make its way into hundreds of products: breakfast cereals, corn-flour products (tortillas, chips, etc.), corn oil products (mayonnaise, shortening, etc.), and literally anything sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, which covers sweetened fruit drinks, processed cookies and other snacks, yogurts, soups, condiments, and many other products.

4. CANOLA OIL
GM since: 1996
How widespread: 90 percent of the US canola crop was genetically modified in 2010, according to the New York Times
What to watch for: Any canola oil made in the USA. This popular cooking oil, originally derived from rapeseed oil by breeders in Canada (the name is a contraction for “Canadian oil, low acid”) comes from a genetically modified plant that is no longer simply cultivated, but grows wild across the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Canada.

5. U.S. PAPAYA
GM since: 1998
How widespread: 80 percent of the US papaya crop was genetically modified in 2010, according to the New York Times.
What to watch for: All papaya grown in the US. Hawaiian papaya was genetically engineered to withstand the ringspot virus in the late 1990s, with the GM version rapidly taking over the industry. In 2009, the USDA rescinded regulations prohibiting GM papaya on the US mainland; they have since been introduced to Florida plantations.

6. ALFALFA
GM since: In 2005, the USDA deregulated GM alfalfa, though cultivation was later halted in 2007, following lawsuits from the Center for Food Safety and others who demanded a full evaluation of the threats to conventional alfalfa plants, and the emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds. Following a new environmental impact study, the USDA in 2011 again deregulated GM alfalfa, which is grown primarily as feed for dairy and sometimes beef cattle.
How widespread: Data on the re-introduction of GM alfalfa in 2011 will be available from the USDA in July. At present, GM alfalfa is used primarily as hay for cattle. The Monsanto Technology Use Agreement for “Roundup Ready” GM alfalfa forbids its use for sprouts.
What to watch for: It’s difficult to tell from a meat or dairy product whether it is from cows fed GM alfalfa. Look for organic dairy products and organic or 100 percent grassfed meat. An even better option is to go vegetarian or vegan.

7. SUGAR BEETS
GM since: 2005
How widespread: 95 percent of the US sugar-beet crop was genetically modified in 2009, according to the USDA. Around half of the sugar produced in the US comes from sugar beets.
What to watch for: If a non-organic bag of sugar or a product containing conventional sugar as an ingredient does not specify “pure cane sugar,” the sugar is likely a combination of cane sugar and GM sugar beets.

8. MILK
GM since: 1994
How widespread: Recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) is a GM synthetic hormone injected into dairy cows to boost milk production. 17 percent of US cows were injected with rBGH in 2007 (most recent figure). Milk from rBGH-treated cows contains elevated levels of Insulin Growth Factor-1, a hormone linked to increased risks for certain cancers.
What to watch for: No label is required for milk from rBGH-treated cows, though many brands of non-treated milk label their containers as such.

9. ASPARTAME
Genetically modified since: 1965
How widespread: Aspartame, an artificial sweetener, is derived from GM microorganisms. It is found in over 6,000 products, including diet sodas.
What to watch for: Avoid anything labeled as containing Nutrasweet, Equal, or aspartame.

[grzegorz]

Killer at Large goes into what is wrong with our food. I highly recommend it, I'm actually watching it twice. It doesn't really go into GMOs that much but shows the problems with the US food industry feeding us and targeting our kids with crap.

[Ian C. Kuzushi]

Wang Sifu, thanks for the post.

Michael, I am with you. I have trouble totally avoiding grains because of my gf and my love of high grade rice, but I make a point to watch it. I also eat whole foods and no processed sugar (for fruit I focus on berries and also drink fine wine). We get organic for most stuff and go for farm fresh eggs, wild fish, and pastured meat and butter. This last year has been hard for me, work wise, but I have a wonderful gf who is a nurse. I cook, clean, train, apply to hist programs, take care of the dog, work part time construction, and she takes care of the sick. It could be worse!

Xinkuzi, thanks. I recognize the difference you point out. There is a difference, but, I think they are quite similar in terms of desired effect (short term) and what is causing them (us). I think there is actually a ton of GMO in our grocery stores. Not sure about produce, but I think it is higher than you are saying (if you buy conventional or canned or frozen). I would be more concerned about all the corn that is in everything and sugars (most from corn) and the refined grains that are almost all GMO in the processed foods. Some of us may not eat them, but most Americans certainly do!

[bartekb]

Has this became an issue to you?

My wife is a molecular biologist PhD working on GM plants.
There are many potential issues connected to GM food like copyright etc. - health is NOT one of those issues.
Its the one of the most thorough researched and controlled food on earts and theres no known health danger.
Instead of throwing food away give it to the poor.

[middleway]

There are many potential issues connected to GM food like copyright etc. - health is NOT one of those issues.
Its the one of the most thorough researched and controlled food on earts and theres no known health danger.
Instead of throwing food away give it to the poor.

+1 .... Damn right. Starvation, obesity and heart disease pose a threat to a lot of people if we are concerned about anything it should be the Trans fats in peoples diets.

I actually know someone who moans about GM food and how people are getting poisoned in some grand government plan etc.... then goes n eats a McDonalds. hahah. Way to think it through big guy!

[Taichiturtle]

8. MILK
GM since: 1994
How widespread: Recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) is a GM synthetic hormone injected into dairy cows to boost milk production. 17 percent of US cows were injected with rBGH in 2007 (most recent figure). Milk from rBGH-treated cows contains elevated levels of Insulin Growth Factor-1, a hormone linked to increased risks for certain cancers.
What to watch for: No label is required for milk from rBGH-treated cows, though many brands of non-treated milk label their containers as such.

Bollocks. Not GM, and IGF-1 is a protein, therefore is broken down in your stomach and does not get into your circulation.

9. ASPARTAME
Genetically modified since: 1965
How widespread: Aspartame, an artificial sweetener, is derived from GM microorganisms. It is found in over 6,000 products, including diet sodas.
What to watch for: Avoid anything labeled as containing Nutrasweet, Equal, or aspartame.

Bollocks. Aspartame is actually a combination of 2 naturally occurring amino acids. If it's toxic, then all proteins are toxic. If it's GM, then all proteins are GM.

If these 2 comments represent the scientific merit of this article, then completely disregard it.

As for the microwave: it causes chemical bonds to rotate faster, giving off excess energy as heat. We are bombarded by microwaves from the cosmos every second of every day.

[Ian]

Has this became an issue to you?

My wife is a molecular biologist PhD working on GM plants.
There are many potential issues connected to GM food like copyright etc. - health is NOT one of those issues.
Its the one of the most thorough researched and controlled food on earts and theres no known health danger.
Instead of throwing food away give it to the poor.

Any recommendations for the more renowned studies?