GMO Facts

What is a GMO?
A GMO, or genetically modified organism, is a plant, animal, microorganism or other organism whose genetic makeup has been modified using recombinant DNA methods (also called gene splicing), gene modification or transgenic technology. This relatively new science creates unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods. Visit the What is GMO page for more information and a list of high-risk crops.

Are GMOs safe?
Most developed nations do not consider GMOs to be safe and have significant restrictions or outright bans on the production and sale of GMOs. The U.S. and Canadian governments, though, have approved GMOs based on studies conducted by the same corporations that created them and profit from their sale.

Are GMOs labelled?
Sixty-four countries around the world, including Australia, Japan, and all of the countries in the European Union, require genetically modified foods to be labelled "Center for Food Safety ' Issues ' GE Food Labeling ' International Labeling Laws." Center for Food Safety. N.p., n.d. Web." title="">1. While a 2015 ABC News survey found that 93% of Americans believe genetically modified foods should be labelled, GMOs are not required to be labelled in the U.S. and Canada Langer, Gary. "Poll: Skepticism of Genetically Modified Foods." ABC News. ABC News Network, 19 June 2015. Web." title="">2. In the absence of mandatory labeling, the Non-GMO Project was created to give consumers the informed choice they deserve.

Which foods might contain GMOs?
Most packaged foods contain ingredients derived from corn, soy, canola, and sugar beet - and the vast majority of those crops grown in North America are genetically modified Fernandez-Cornejo, Jorge, and Seth James Wechsler. "USDA ERS - Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S.: Recent Trends in GE Adoption." USDA ERS - Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S.: Recent Trends in GE Adoption. United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, 09 July 2015. Web." title="">3. To see a list of high-risk crops, visit the What is GMO page.

How do GMOs affect farmers?
Because GMOs are novel life forms, biotechnology companies have been able to obtain patents with which to restrict their use. As a result, the companies that make GMOs now have the power to sue farmers whose fields are contaminated with GMOs, even when it is the result of inevitable drift from neighboring fields Leader, Jessica. "Monsanto Wins Lawsuit Filed By U.S. Organic Farmers Worried About Seed Contamination." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 10 June 2013. Web." title="">4. GMOs therefore pose a serious threat to farmer sovereignty and to the national food security of any country where they are grown, including the United States and Canada.

What are the impacts of GMOs on the environment?
More than 80% of all GMOs grown worldwide are engineered for herbicide tolerance Duke, S.O., & Powles, S.B. (2009). "Glyphosate-resistant crops and weeds: Now and in the future." AgBioForum, 12(3&4), 346-357. " title="">5. As a result, use of toxic herbicides like Roundup has increased 16 times since GMOs were introduced Kustin, Mary Ellen. "Glyphosate Is Spreading Like a Cancer Across the U.S." EWG. Environmental Working Group, 07 Apr. 2015. Web." title="">6. GM crops are also responsible for the emergence of herbicide resistant "super weeds" and "super bugs," which can only be killed with more toxic poisons like 2,4-D (a major ingredient in Agent Orange) Mortensen DA, Egan JF, Maxwell BD, Ryan MR, Smith RG. "Navigating a critical juncture for sustainable weed management." BioScience. 2012;62(1):75-84." title="">7,"Newsroom." Agent Orange: Background on Monsanto's Involvement. N.p., n.d. Web." title="">8. GMOs are a direct extension of chemical agriculture and are developed and sold by the world's biggest chemical companies. The long-term impacts of GMOs are unknown, and once released into the environment, these novel organisms cannot be recalled.

1. "Center for Food Safety ' Issues ' GE Food Labeling ' International Labeling Laws." Center for Food Safety. N.p., n.d. Web.
2. Langer, Gary. "Poll: Skepticism of Genetically Modified Foods." ABC News. ABC News Network, 19 June 2015. Web.
3. Fernandez-Cornejo, Jorge, and Seth James Wechsler. "USDA ERS - Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S.: Recent Trends in GE Adoption." USDA ERS - Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S.: Recent Trends in GE Adoption. United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, 09 July 2015. Web.
4. Leader, Jessica. "Monsanto Wins Lawsuit Filed By U.S. Organic Farmers Worried About Seed Contamination." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 10 June 2013. Web.
5. Duke, S.O., & Powles, S.B. (2009). "Glyphosate-resistant crops and weeds: Now and in the future." AgBioForum, 12(3&4), 346-357.
6. Kustin, Mary Ellen. "Glyphosate Is Spreading Like a Cancer Across the U.S." EWG. Environmental Working Group, 07 Apr. 2015. Web.
7. Mortensen DA, Egan JF, Maxwell BD, Ryan MR, Smith RG. "Navigating a critical juncture for sustainable weed management." BioScience. 2012;62(1):75-84.
8. "Newsroom." Agent Orange: Background on Monsanto's Involvement. N.p., n.d. Web.

Source: https://www.nongmoproject.org/gmo-facts/

We don't know what's in this food, and should never gamble with our health. We owe it to ourselves and family to know what your putting in your body. Food should never be an expierment!