[CreoleInDC]

They talked about this on GMA this morning and I have been reading up on it since. This is the reason I try to eat as much organic food as possible. This stuff just scares me. It's been said that the largest undocumented "experiment" is being done to us via our food. Doesn't that scare you too?

Did You Know Your Food is Genetically Altered?

During the last five years, several multinational chemical and drug companies – including Monsanto and Novartis (formerly Ciba-Geigy) – have quietly altered our food supply in an alarming way. Genes from bacteria, viruses, foreign plants and animals have been inserted into corn, soybeans, potatoes, tomatoes, squash, and papayas. These corporations plan to “genetically engineer” almost 100% of our food within a decade. Already about 40% of the soybeans, 20% of the corn, and a percentage of the potatoes grown in the U.S. and about 50% of the canola (rapeseed) plants in Canada have been genetically altered.

These companies have influenced US and Canadian regulatory agencies to allow these grains to be grown, mixed with non-altered grains, and sold without any labeling, even though they have been shown to be harmful to the environment and have not undergone even a single human health safety test. More than 60% of the packaged food items in US grocery stores contain genetically altered ingredients. We are now all experimental animals in a huge biological experiment involving the food we eat every day.

What Have They Done to Our Food?

Scientists at these companies have learned how to insert genes from plants, animals, bacteria, and viruses into any other plant or animal. For instance, Monsanto has inserted foreign genes into soybeans and canola (rapeseed) that allows farmers to spray the crops with Monsanto’s toxic Roundup weed killer without killing the plant. They have inserted a gene from an insect-killing bacterium called BT into corn so that every cell of the plant has activated BT toxin in it.

An Unprecedented Threat

In the rush to commercialize and profit from these "inventions," these companies have exposed consumers and the environment to an unprecedented threat:

1. The genes inserted into these grains cause the plant to create new, foreign proteins, never before seen in nature. There has never been any long-term animal or human testing to determine whether the new proteins can cause allergies or other adverse effects. Instead, the companies influenced FDA officials to declare them to be "substantially equivalent" to non-altered grains, even though, behind the scenes, FDA scientists disagreed. Allergy research doctors in England have seen a dramatic rise in soybean allergy, and suspect a reaction to the new foreign protein. In the case of BT corn and potatoes, European researchers have recently found that BT toxin, now found in every cell of genetically altered corn and potatoes, may cause cell damage in mammals.

2. The pollen of these plants also contains the foreign genes. Pollen is carried far and wide by wind and bees. It can pollinate and transfer its altered genes to non-altered crops and similar wild plants – biologically contaminating them – thus creating new species (nicknamed Superweeds). BT toxin in corn and potatoes and their pollen kills non-target and beneficial insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, and butterflies. A Cornell University study published in Nature showed how the new corn pollen kills Monarch butterflies.

3. Both Monsanto and Novartis have developed "Terminator" genes that will create plants that sterilize their own seeds, forcing farmers to buy seeds from the companies every year. This threatens subsistence farming in developing countries, where farmers have saved and traded seeds for thousands of years. It also threatens the world's ecosystems if the genes for sterility are transferred to wild plants.

Monsanto claims that the new crops have higher yields, and that genetic engineering is the only way to feed a hungry world. But university trials of these grains show that the crop yields are no better -- and in some cases are far worse -- than ordinary seeds. The only driving force behind this technology is profit for a few multinational companies who seem willing to compromise health, safety, and the environment.

How to Avoid Genetically Altered Food

Since significant percentages of soy, corn, potatoes, tomatoes, and canola oil contain altered genes, and they are mixed with unaltered food, right now there is only one way to safely avoid them: seek out products that use only certified organic ingredients. Avoid eating products that have unknown origins, such as corn cereals, corn chips, soy-based meat substitutes, and tofu (soybean curd) in restaurants unless you know for sure that they use organic ingredients. Check labels.

What Can You Do?

There are many safe food advocates all over the world who are trying to stop the farming, production, and use of genetically altered food. You can join with them:

1. Join the national campaign to oppose genetic alteration of our food supply. Send mail to earthaction@cqs.com for more information.
2. Ask your local supermarket and restaurants to supply and serve products that do not have genetically "engineered" ingredients. Show the supermarket manager this flyer. Many supermarkets in Great Britain now exclude all genetically altered products from their house brands, and .some large food manufacturers have made the commitment to go “GMO-free”.
3. Write or call the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (Secretary Dan Glickman, phone: 202-720-3631, email: agsec@usda.gov, fax: 202-720-2166), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Commissioner Jane Henney, phone: 301-827-2410, email: execsec@oc.fda.gov, fax: 301-443-3100), the U.S. EPA (Administrator Carol Browner, phone: 202-260-4700, email: browner.carol@epamail.epa.gov, fax: 202-260-0279) and your Representative and Senator demanding a ban on this assault on our food supply.
4. Tell your neighbors and friends about it. Show them this flyer. Copy and post the flyer in public places, or hand them out to supermarket customers. Join or form a community group to oppose this dangerous technology. Convince local environmental groups of its immediate danger to health and the environment.
5. Find out more about the dangers of this technology and the movement against it. The Internet website page http://www.cqs.com/gmorg.htm is a list of Internet Websites with a wealth of detailed information about the many problems with genetic alteration and the people around the world who are trying to stop it.

This flyer was prepared by the Earth Action Campaign, a coordinating committee of scientists and safe food advocates opposed to the genetic alteration of our food supply. Please contact us at earthaction@cqs.com. An Internet version of this flyer is available at http://www.cqs.com/gmohazard.htm.

[einstein]

Thanks for the info, Monica. This is very, very scary. I usually only buy organic milk for my boys -- after all, why do they need all those hormones and pesticides? I try to buy wholesome things as much as I can --but the prices are so high! It really stinks that organic stuff is so expensive, but I try to do it when I can.

[CreoleInDC]

Originally Posted by einstein

Thanks for the info, Monica. This is very, very scary. I usually only buy organic milk for my boys -- after all, why do they need all those hormones and pesticides? I try to buy wholesome things as much as I can --but the prices are so high! It really stinks that organic stuff is so expensive, but I try to do it when I can.

Einstein...I buy pretty much all of our food from an Amish market. Maybe you should research Farmer's markets in your area. They have seasonal fruits and veggies that are 100% organic. Their prices are far more reasonable than the Wholefoods of the world.

[einstein]

That's a great idea. We do have an Amish market nearby and when I go, I buy healthier snacks for the boys (like whole wheat pretzles and such). Thanks for the tip!!!! I'm amazed at what our government does to our food and the jeopardy our health is in! It annoys me.

[CreoleInDC]

Originally Posted by einstein

That's a great idea. We do have an Amish market nearby and when I go, I buy healthier snacks for the boys (like whole wheat pretzles and such). Thanks for the tip!!!! I'm amazed at what our government does to our food and the jeopardy our health is in! It annoys me.

Einstein...you have an Amish market nearby and you don't buy ALL your food from there. My darling...go Thursday first thing. All of the meats are 100% all natural grain fed and free range. No preservatives. NONE! You can TASTE the difference.

Everything is all natural and handmade as they don't believe in chemicals. They have organic instant oatmeal, grains, granola, pasta, veggie pasta, brown and wild rice pilaf, veggies, fruits, desserts, you name it. I can't eat any yogart other than theirs. Their eggs and dairy are 100% organic as is their ice cream. Natural...the way food was BEFORE major mass production.

Oh...and you HAVE TO try their turkey bacon. OHMYG! There is no reason to eat bacon bacon ever again after trying it.

[einstein]

I love our Amish market although it's a half hour away. My only problem with going is that the boys refuse to sit in the cart and they holler and scream and act up and I'm mortified while all the little Amish kids are so well behaved. But I do have to get over there because I'm itching to try some of their chickens -- rotisserie or fried or barbecued. They all look so yummy. Oh, that turkey bacon sounds so good. I'm salivating now.

[CreoleInDC]

Here is a site to find farmer's markets in your area: AMS at USDA - Farmer's Markets listed by state

[Boston73]

Thanks Monica...there's one in my town!! I'm definitely checking it out this weekend.

I need to start eating healthier

[CreoleInDC]

Originally Posted by Boston73

Thanks Monica...there's one in my town!! I'm definitely checking it out this weekend.

I need to start eating healthier

Boston...here's a tip. Whatever day you go...arrive an hour after they open. That way you get the freshest selection as the put the older (but still good) stuff out first and you don't have to worry about them running out of something as you would if you went later in the day.

Eating healthier is an excellent choice for all of us. It always amazes me when people don't put thought into what they are eating...I mean your mouth is VERY close to your brain. LOL! Think about what you're eating before you eat it and stop buying anything you know is bad for you. If you buy it and bring it into your house...you'll eat it...point blank. It's okay to treat yourself every now and then. But you can't eat that way everyday. If you do...you'll be sorry.

My husband had a mini temper tantrum one day during some game he was watching and came upstairs slamming cabinets.

Me: What are you looking for?
Him: We don't have ANY snacks?
Me: We have raw almonds, cashews, raspberries, blueberries and lots of other fruit.
Him: Humph. Sometimes I feel like a dang squirrel.(grumble, grumble)
Me: (silently laughing)

Long story short...he got over it and ate a bowl of almonds and some watermelon for a game snack and he was just fine. LOL!

[Boston73]

Thanks for the info...your soo right! My girlfriend Paula eats all organic, so does her 4 year old daughter and her DH. I think she was feeding her organic the min she was born, hehe

She swares by it...she herself has IBS & crones, and her husband has colitis. Just by eating organic..they rarely have a problem. Her DH one day made hamburger helper cuz she wasn't home to cook and wanted something quick. Well...he was sick for days!!! They just can't eat that stuff anymore. Soo bad for you.

I bought the book on the Microbiotic (sp?) diet. Very, very interesting. The Dr who wrote it, forget his name, is in Boston. She wants me to see him about my IF. He doesn't except any insurance, so he's like $300 a visit. But she's swares that he'll help me just by changing my diet.

I don't know...I'm still considering it. What do you think?

[CreoleInDC]

Originally Posted by Boston73

Thanks for the info...your soo right! My girlfriend Paula eats all organic, so does her 4 year old daughter and her DH. I think she was feeding her organic the min she was born, hehe

She swares by it...she herself has IBS & crones, and her husband has colitis. Just by eating organic..they rarely have a problem. Her DH one day made hamburger helper cuz she wasn't home to cook and wanted something quick. Well...he was sick for days!!! They just can't eat that stuff anymore. Soo bad for you.

I bought the book on the Microbiotic (sp?) diet. Very, very interesting. The Dr who wrote it, forget his name, is in Boston. She wants me to see him about my IF. He doesn't except any insurance, so he's like $300 a visit. But she's swares that he'll help me just by changing my diet.

I don't know...I'm still considering it. What do you think?

Well...I look at it like this. If the guy wrote a book for $17 and you bought it...why spend $300 for him to tell you in person what's in the book?

I have never read the book but I've heard from people who have and they recommended it. I never got it because my relationship with food doesn't really require much monitoring. I eat very healthy and treat myself when I want to. Food has never been emotional for me so in that way I'm lucky. I have always been the person who could pass by something FABULOUS and not have any of it just because I wasn't hungry at the time. I know some people who could have just eaten and just because they see something FABULOUS they have to have it. That, in my opinion is dangerous.

I think if you focus more on WHAT you eat rather than how much...you'll be just fine. Simple right? Most things usually are. LOL!

[CreoleInDC]

Oh...and I'm the same way when it comes to eating something bad and getting an upset stomach. It's like twenty minutes after I've eaten something really processed...my tummy does sommersaults! It proves to me personally that those "things" they inject food with to process it are really not good for our bodies.

[catt13]

Thanks Monica,
I agree that far too often we eat garbage. We eat so many fresh veggies and i have a hard time digesting preservative filled foods, or foods froma foreign orrigin! Our stomaches cannot take it anymore. This month has been really hectic for us both and we have been travelling and staying in hotels, and the food has ruined us. No matter how you try not all restaurants serve organic food or even serve healthy options, and we are paying for it now. I felt awful had no energy and feltl fatigued. We got home and started cooking and we feel a thousand times better. People do not realize the garbage they are putting into their bodies. Thanks for opening everyones eyes.

[Gemmabean]

Monica,

Trader Joe's has TONS of organic food and REALLY REASONABLE prices! The nearest one to us is about an hour and a half away, so we road trip about every two weeks. Great stuff! Way better prices than Wholefoods or Wegmans.

Due to PCOS, I try to eat as much organic as I can. But it's difficult in a rural area. At our last outing to Wally World (over an hour away, the gas prices are really killing us!) I was surprised to see so much organic food! Cool! But it's all over the place, I'd like to see an Organig isle so you don't have to weed through all that other stuff!

Originally Posted by CreoleInDC

Einstein...I buy pretty much all of our food from an Amish market. Maybe you should research Farmer's markets in your area. They have seasonal fruits and veggies that are 100% organic. Their prices are far more reasonable than the Wholefoods of the world.

[CreoleInDC]

Originally Posted by Gemmabean

Monica,

Trader Joe's has TONS of organic food and REALLY REASONABLE prices! The nearest one to us is about an hour and a half away, so we road trip about every two weeks. Great stuff! Way better prices than Wholefoods or Wegmans.

Due to PCOS, I try to eat as much organic as I can. But it's difficult in a rural area. At our last outing to Wally World (over an hour away, the gas prices are really killing us!) I was surprised to see so much organic food! Cool! But it's all over the place, I'd like to see an Organig isle so you don't have to weed through all that other stuff!

Gemma...there is a Trader Joe's 15 minutes away from me. That's where I get our snacks (raw trail mix, dried mango, dried pineapple, prunes, etc.) and my gotta have Fiji water!