What’s the deal with all this GMO talk?

This is a series of posts, to help raise awareness of the current threat to our food supply.  This first post will summarize the agenda at hand, and what we can do.  The posts that follow it will detail each topic of discussion.  I will provide plenty of links and information for you to research on your own.  I feel 100% that this is a HUGE issue that must be addressed at once.  Please explore the links provided in the post.

Hello,

Beez in peez, I must apologize for my absence.  Fear not, as it was for good reason.  As you can see by this post (and fellow facebookers have seen) I have been all over this topic lately.  I’m pretty pissed.

The truth is, I have some disturbing news to report.  I have read so much, and have looked into so many things..it is borderline obsessed.  Ok, it is…

Anyhow, we need to discuss a topic that is an issue for EVERY HUMAN alive.  What we are here to discuss is FOOD….again. But wait, this time it is different. It is not about carbs, proteins, or just basic food in general.  Even tho I do not agree with people eating junk food, it is going to happen.  And even though I am aware of the crap in products that boast health claims, such as high in fiber or great source of anything…I know not everyone has the time or energy to put  into all of this.

I am here to help.

And really, why should they?  We have ‘people’ in place for this.  And if you eat a certain amount of calories per day and make sure you get your RDA of all your vitamins and what not..you’re ‘healthy’.  I even stay away from red meat and get a good portion of my protein from soy products.  I don’t have to eat factory meat and I get protein, great!  I mean, if you eat raw veggies, organic or not, frozen, or your fruit is in a can, or frozen or fresh…as long as i keep my calories down and get what I need (RDA)… I am doing better than average people.  Right??

**buzzer sound** WRONG!

But this time I am going to show some sympathy…I will admit, it is NOT your fault.

Mike, get to the damn point already, we got shit to do…  Ok, Ok…we are here to talk about GMO and GE (food) Genetically Modified Organisms and Genetically Engineered food.

Don’t gasp, and dismiss this as just another rant.  I must admit, I didnt agree with it…but I didn’t understand the issues.  All I knew was ‘processed and refined foods’ were usually packed with sugars and make you fat.  It is much worse than I previously thought.  GMO? Isn’t that how they make fake fruits and clone animals? Ummm…not exactly.

Let me explain.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are the result of laboratory processes which artificially insert foreign genes into the DNA of food crops or animals. Those genes may come from bacteria, viruses, insects, animals or even humans. Although banned by food manufacturers in Europe and elsewhere, the FDA does not require any safety evaluations.   Most Americans say they would not eat GMOs if labeled, but the U.S. does not require labeling. GMOs are not safe, but have been in the food supply since 1996 and are now present in the vast majority of processed foods in the US.

Before we get started, I would like you to understand I have read and searched all sorts of angles. One video or article leads to many references, that lead to many other references.  We, as a public, and as a money spending consumer, do not know as much as we should.

3 key points concern me the most.

1. Public Ignorance: We are either too busy, or just don’t care.  Or more than likely, we have been lied to and deceived by the very same people put in place to protect us.  OK, maybe not lied to per se…but definitely not given the attention we deserve.  Most people aren’t even aware of vetoes being placed on GMO labels.  Arnold vetoes RAW MILK, Mandatory Clone Labeling It is flat out shocking how much people don’t understand, or care to understand.  I will explain why you should. 

2.  The past, and the money trail. The disturbing past of this company leading the charge is enough to warrant suspicion to begin with.  Also, if you follow the revolving door between companies and the FDA (your protectors) you will find out it is nothing short of good ol politics.  This time, they’re fuckin with our food.  No you di-int!

Here is the latest FDA leader, Michael Taylor. Here is a disturbing article about some of his work. Notice the part about helping Africa out.  If you do some research on BT cotton in India, you’ll find out the last time we did this it didn’t go so well.  Oh yeah, hes also the Milk Man…remember the whole rBST or rBHG issue? Just do a simple search on it.  It’ll be fun.  There is plenty of others I will briefly cover in the coming posts.

Monsanto Company is the corporation (extension of the FDA, cough, cough)leading this whole thing.  Started in 1901 as a chemical company, the makers of Round Up, and named Forbes company of the year in 2009.  If you have time, feel free to check out some of the remarkable things they’ve manage to put together…such as Agent Orange, and DDT.  Follow the money far enough and you’ll find them all over the making of the sweeteners that are widely debated.

3.  We just do not know, and neither do they. The numerous negative reports on this stuff (world wide) and the lack of attention it gets in the US.  In The Europe Union, labeling is mandatory. (Q 14) Many companies such as McDonalds stopped using GMO in EU…but they have no problem doing it here.   There has not been any extensive studies done on it (regarding humans) and instead, the FDA continues to accept studies done by the ‘industry’.    Skeptical scientist all over the world have spoken out about this and have asked to be shown ’scientifically’ how it is safe…only to be dismissed as a fear monger.  They have agreed the connection between increase of allergies amongst other things cannot be dismissed without further testing.  Still Monsanto goes ahead with Beet Sugar and Bio Tech Wheat.

Here is one take on why it is NOT safe to go non GMO. Notice the ‘damages’ food companies may face.  Food companies? Eff off!

Food allergies on the rise. They hardly, if ever, do organic testing to GMO in food allergies.

The complexity of it all:

To be honest, I cannot explain with confidence how this works.  However, Ive done plenty of reading and watching lately.  I have much more to talk about, INCLUDING WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT, starting with the non-GMO shopping guide.

This is an article of 20 Questions on GMO food, found on the WHO website.  Note Q8 as it states GM foods and their safety should be assessed on a case-by-case basis and that it is not possible to make general statements on the safety of all GM foods.”  but they go on to say all foods on the market have been tested and do not pose a danger. They continue with..    “Continuous use of risk assessments based on the Codex principles and, where appropriate, including post market monitoring, should form the basis for evaluating the safety of GM foods.”

There have been plenty of ‘post market’ issues that need to be addressed now…at the very least, proper labeling.

For now, I have some great videos below that will greatly explain this matter better than I can.  However, I challenge you to do your own research on this.  I found this article that sums the video up below in text.

I DO RECOMMEND FINDING TIME TO WATCH THESE.

http://www.vimeo.com/6575475

If you watched the video above, you’ll hear him mention this video below.  The World According to Monsanto.  It is another long one, but well worth watching.  This video goes in depth about Monsanto’s past, and the recent issues they have been involved in…including the BT cotton issue in India.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6262083407501596844

Beez in peez, I STRONGLY SUGGEST you watch these videos or at the very least…explore the links I have provided. I know this is allot to take in at one time, but you must get the full understanding of the issue.  Do not let these people risk your health because they want to protect their marketing abilities.

Please do not act like this is not your problem. You must understand that this is widely used in processing, oils, feed for animals that produces our meat, milk, eggs, cheese, and other daily items. They are now working with beets to make sugar, and wheat to make biotech wheat. Second, these people are DECIDING FOR US and basically with the lack of testing, and labeling, and vetoes, they are doing a good job in showing that money and politics are much more important than ensuring we are safe if we use this stuff long term.

I have much more info on this and it will follow in more posts, but I strongly suggest you also visit this website below for more education and consumer action information.

So what can we do?  Start by being a conscious shopper.  Money is most important to these people.  Second, share this with as many people as you can.  Almost everyone has heard about this issue, but not many understand it…at all.

Responsible Technology.

Be strong!  Remember, if you continue to eat healthy, real food…you can minimize any issues.

If you continue to believe what packages tell you on the front, but don’t look into the real ingredients…then I can’t really be much help on this.  I will be in touch, keep killlin it!

-Mike.

PS:  I will be beastin’ it up again soon.  The shoulder is recovering and im ready to roll!

Related posts:

1. FREAKFEST09: Let’s talk food, and excuses
2. Soy to the world…
3. Food is Fuel III: The final note.
4. Fast Food Bites, Vol. IV: Supplements