Are you leading a genetically modified lifestyle?

If you’re reading this blog, you’ve probably heard of GMOs, or genetically modified organisms. Also know as genetically engineered organisms, they are defined as organisms whose genetic characteristics have been altered by the insertion of a modified gene or a gene from another organism using the technique of genetic engineering.

What you may not know is that nearly 70 percent of the processed food on supermarket shelves contains genetically modified organisms. Most of the soy, corn, and sugar that we eat is genetically modified. These staples are ingredients in most processed foods. Unless the item is certified organic, it probably contains GMOs.

Even produce, like corn and soy is likely to be genetically modified, as well as sugar and sugar products. Potatoes, some varieties of squash, radicchio and chicory are also among the approved GMO vegetables grown in the U.S. If you’re buying vegetable oil, it’s likely you’re buying a product made from genetically modified plants.

The FDA says GMOs are safe for human consumption. Yet, the FDA doesn’t test them at all.
Instead, it takes the word of the companies that develop the foods. According to the Center for Food Safety (www.centerforfoodsafety.org), “a number of studies over the past decade have revealed that genetically engineered foods can pose serious risks to humans, domesticated animals, wildlife and the environment. Human health effects can include higher risks of toxicity, allergenicity, antibiotic resistance, immune-suppression and cancer. As for environmental impacts, the use of genetic engineering in agriculture will lead to uncontrolled biological pollution, threatening numerous microbial, plant and animal species with extinction, and the potential contamination of all non-genetically engineered life forms with novel and possibly hazardous genetic material.”

So what are our choices? It can be difficult, if not impossible, to avoid GMOs when you can’t be sure whether or not they’re even in your food. You can buy all certified organic food, but that can be very pricey. Also, not every food item is available organically. Currently, there is no law requiring the labeling of GMOs. On Tuesday, when California voters go to the polls, they will have the first opportunity to change that.

Proposition 37 would require companies to label all foods that have been made with genetically modified ingredients. It would also prohibit marketing with the use of the word “natural” on GM-labeled foods. The law will allow consumers, for the first time, to make educated choices about the items they ingest.

Tens of millions of dollars have been spent by companies like Monsanto, Nestle, Dupont, Dow, Pepsi, Kraft and Coca-Cola, just to name a few, to defeat proposition 37. The question is, why? If GMOs are safe, why the secrecy? Why wouldn’t a company want to label their product with this information? Opponents say it will raise the price of foods because it will cost the company more to make new labels and they will pass that onto the consumer. If we followed this logic, our foods would also not have ingredient lists or nutrition information.

Though New Yorkers aren’t able to vote on proposition 37, it may still affect us. Often, what starts in California ends up spreading to other areas of the country. If prop 37 passes, we could see other states adopt similar laws. And isn’t it our right to know? Shouldn’t we be able to decide if we are eating a tomato with flounder genes or a potato with bacteria genes?

I’ll be waiting anxiously to see what happens with prop 37. As I follow the news, I’ll need something to keep me occupied. When watching television, we like to indulge in buttery, salty popcorn, minus the GMOs.

Stove top popcorn

1 large, heavy bottomed pot with lid
1/2 cup 100% virgin olive oil (olives are not genetically modified)
2/3 cup organic popping corn
4 tablespoons organic butter
2 teaspoons salt

Pour oil into pot. Add popcorn, butter and salt. Turn heat to medium high and cover pot. Listen closely for the popping. When it starts, gently move the pot back and forth over the burner. When the popping slows considerably, turn off the burner and remove the pot from heat. Let sit until all popping ceases. Pour popcorn into bowl, scraping any leftover oil, butter and salt from the pot onto the popcorn.

You can find more information on Proposition 37 at http://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/propositions/37/.

What are your thoughts on the proposed law? Do you want to see it pass? Let me know at laurie@riverheadlocal.com.

Laurie Nigro, a mother of two, is passionate about natural living. Laurie resides in downtown Riverhead and is co-founder of the River and Roots Community Garden on West Main Street. Contact her by email to laurie@riverheadlocal.com.

Laurie resides in downtown Riverhead and is co-founder of the River and Roots Community Garden on West Main Street. 

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