Crops that have been genetically modified can be made to withstand harsh weather or less or not susceptible to different types of diseases. With these modifications, a crop may be able to produce a higher yield, even if under dire situations which would normally be devastating to other crops.
This means more food when normally, there would be none.
More food equals more people eat.
I recently watched the documentary "The Future of Food" and I had no idea what was going on before this. I don’t want to eat Genetically Modified food. Do you think they should be labelled or are you OK with eating them?
Odwin- there is a very big difference between selective breeding and a scientist using a needle to force the genes of a different plant or animal into the cells or another living organism. I am not referring to cross polination or selective breeding…only genetically modified foods.
I think they should be labeled…we have a right to know what we are eating, and buying with our hard earned money…
and its not just money that’s involved..its your health…that’s even more important!!!
I’ve had some people here refer to me as a communist liberal. I read TCM in college (as well as many other political theories from the far left to the center to the far right). I don’t think it defines me or my views at all. Is belief in family run businesses that aren’t run out by big business communist? Is expecting big business to clean up environmental damage they create instead of taxpayers communist? Is wanting to be able to buy organic produce instead of GMO food communist? Is caring about free speech and the exchange of ideas communist?
Wow, I can’t wait to tell my organic farmer friend that loves Rush (i know i can’t figure it out either but to each his own) that he is a communist. He might just go spray all his fields pesticides tonight. Boy , I didn’t know free enterprise (ie having the RIGHT TO CHOOSE between organic food and GMO and supporting local business instead of big multinationals) was communist. So what’s next because I say I want o vote, that makes me communist!? LOL this place is funny.
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In my opinion, once you have GMOs in the food, it is too late. And, if you are trusting the corporate matrix to deliver food from ‘food manufacturers’ you will get the equivalent of soylent green eventually.
So, grow your own, buy local, or from trusted sources. That takes investigation, and accountability. If a vocal minority could do that, the giants would have to listen. For a time. Corporate profit is one hefty motive to abandon quality and safety.
Massive!
When we genetically modify something it is done for financial advantage.
Eg Genetically modified crops that are reststant to disease wont need as much pesticide put on them. If they are modified to be more drought resistant, they will be available for harvest when others have succumbed to the drought. Some genetically modied crops grow faster and so can be sold in larger amounts more often.
So if business is better, then the economy is stronger. On the other hand, if you are business or country competing in a market whereyou don’t have the advantage of genetic modifications, then your ecomony could suffer. There is also the question of public demand. If the public do not want to buy genetically modified foods, then they will pay for foods made without them, so there would be a market for this as well.
Many genetically modified (GM) foods are less nutritious and have proven to be deadly to laboratory rats. Many GM foods are outlawed in Europe.
Is Dennis Kucinich the only congressman in favor of GM labeling?
I do.
Polls show that the vast majority of people in the free world want GM labeling, yet their voices are ignored.
I wonder how many big biotech trolls will sign on here to attempt to create the impression that there is actually a debate.
By the way, as members of the WTO, Europeans are gradually having GMO forced down their throats. For Monsanto and other members of big-biotech, that’s the beauty of globalization – it usurps nation state sovereignty. If big biotech can spend enough money lobbying international trade organizations, it matters not what the people of a nation want.
After much thought and increased head / stomach aches when eating dairy and the way that free range eggs don’t taste nice anymore I have decided to become a vegan. I’d be grateful if vegans can give me some tips. I know that being a Vegan is MUCH more than just not eating/ wearing anything derived from animals ie that includes milk , eggs, honey, I know it is political (ie in the 80s , well in Britain anyway they would have boycotted a certain fruit Exporter’s produce due to it being from South Africa and therefore buying this fruit would be supporting appartheid, my family boycotted them too but weren’t Vegans) they are also against GMO . I know a grooming company that is vegan, ‘The original source’ .
Apart from that it is a LOT of reading for me to do. Would any of you be so kind as to direct me to useful websites books etc ? Manufacturers of Cosmetics and ladies things would be helpful too.
Wow, lots of great answers!!
Loads of encoouragement too, that’s fab!!
LOL , I meant encouragement!!
-Does Jason surgeon c remind anyone of anyone???? Answers on a postcard!!!
I will let you know how it goes Princess. It is one small step for me!!
Wow, so many great answers!!! It is going to be one heck of a task picking the winner !!
Hi Andie,
Great news and a fantastic resolution. One of the best sources has already been quoted which is the Vegan Society at http://www.vegansociety.com as it has some very good leaflets and fact sheets on nutrition and health as well as all the brilliant reasons to go vegan. I’d also have a look at http://www.animalaid.org.uk which not only has great campaign news etc. it also has a wonderful online shop with all kinds of vegan goodies including Beauty Without Cruelty make-up (which I’ve just bought for my wife for Christmas) and Vegan Chocolate including their latest invention – White Chocolate for vegans! It’s a good website and the prices are good. Take it slowly and if you start to feel ill or tired or have headaches etc. consult your doctor. Also it’s a good idea to see your doctor before you go vegan as the NHS have a very good leaflet on vegan nutrition which will help you get all the right things into your diet. Also there is a very good wall chart showing all the foods which provide rich sources of everything you need to be healthy, I think that’s available from the Vegan Society.
I went vegan from vegetarian a year and a half ago and, apart from loosing about a stone of unwanted flab that had built up there were no drastic side effects. I feel happier, healthier and have more energy now than I did before. I agree that it is a political decision as well and being involved in the Fairtrade and trade justice campaigns is also an important part of being an active vegan (rather than a passive vegan who is vegan by diet but not by ideals).
Go for it and have a good time discovering some amazing foods -try out Fry’s special vegetarian stuff if you like meat substitutes and Taifun Tofu is also fantastic.
If you need to chat about it, give me a shout on hsinclair2@yahoo.co.uk
Good Luck, the animal kingdom and the environment will thank you!
H.
GMO=genetically modified organism for those who don’t know.
http://www.safe-food.org/-industry/crops.html
Unless you’re growing your own food you never know
they might interbreed with others or dominate the known varieties of life. Ex. genetically modified insecticide resistant Plants might interbreed with weeds, another one is the Extinction of uncomercial plants that wildlife eat.
Hope this helps you…
What is genetically modified foods? How is it made? Why is it made? and When was it made? I would like to get more interested in the topic of Geentically Modified Foods since we eat it everyday. I would certainly appreciate the help.
when you buy your fruits and veggies and it says "Made in Canada" , then its healthier than all other ones…because here in Canada, we have food regulations that doesn’t allow unhealthy genetically modifications. So go with local products.