by Carie Moore
Many products are labeled non-GMO which makes people think that there are others of that product that are GMO. Strawberries, tomatoes, wheat, and seedless watermelon are a few we see listed in the store and are NOT GMO products. Salt and water sometimes carry the non-GMO label as well. Here is a great review resource: bestfoodfacts.org/what-foods-are-gmo/. It is verified by Kevin Folta, who I have met and trust, so I have no problem sharing this site personally. Labeling will be undergoing changes so you may want to read up on that on a trusted source page.
GMOs are being used in medicines and research for diseases in humans. These are all used to maintain or save human lives. So why are we so worried about eating a food that is genetically modified over ingesting or injecting it? Many vaccines are made up of protein that work with the protein in the human body’s cells.
Unfortunately, GMOs will always be up for debate and seen as something negative because they aren’t ‘natural.’ We have to remember that in today’s world, a lot of things are made out of ‘non-natural’ products. Synthetics replace wool and cotton in clothing, silicone, Styrofoam, motor oil, hair products, pleather, turf grass, and many other products in our lives. Replacing or removing a gene in something that helps our environment and saves lives, really is no different than something constructed from the very beginning in the lab.
Most of the products you buy in the grocery store, are in fact NO NO GMO even if the label makes an attempt to scare people into thinking there are GMO varieties of that food. GMO Answers is always another great source for answers, information, and a place to ask questions.
Don’t fear your food, or your famers. We are doing all we can to provide safe, affordable food for our families, and yours!
Carie Moore is the District 4 representative on the NDFB Promotion and Education Committee and farms near Rocklake. Read her entire GMO series at these links:
Go, Go, GMO apples and oranges
Go, Go, GMO potatoes and sugar beets