Remember – we can each do something small that together makes a BIG difference! So take a moment to make a difference, and feel good about the part you’re playing towards a healthier future!

Naturalnews has provided a great review of the most commonly GM foods, and what lab testing has shown that lead us to believe consuming GM foods is not only dangerous, but potentially deadly. 

 

1. Corn - Corn has been modified to create its own insecticide. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declared that tons of genetically modified corn has been introduced for human consumption. Monsanto has revealed that half of the US’s sweet corn farms are planted with genetically modified seed. Mice fed with GM corn were discovered to have smaller offspring and fertility problems.

2. Soy - Soy has also been genetically modified to resist herbicides. Soy products include soy flour, tofu, soy beverages, soybean oil and other products that may include pastries, baked products and edible oil. Hamsters fed with GM soy were unable to have offspring and suffered a high mortality rate.

3. Cotton - Like corn and soy, cotton has been designed to resist pesticides. It is considered food because its oil can be consumed. Its introduction in Chinese agriculture has produced a chemical that kills cotton bollworm, reducing the incidences of pests not only in cotton crops but also in neighboring fields of soybeans and corn. Incidentally, thousands of Indian farmers suffered severe rashes upon exposure to BT cotton.

4. Papaya - The virus-resistant variety of papaya was commercially introduced in Hawaii in 1999. Transgenic papayas comprised three-fourths of the total Hawaiian papaya crop. Monsanto bestowed upon Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore technology for developing papaya resistant to the ringspot virus in India.

5. Rice - This staple food from South East Asia has now been genetically modified to contain a high amount of vitamin A. Allegedly, there are reports of rice varieties containing human genes to be grown in the US. The rice will create human proteins useful for dealing with infant diarrhea in the 3rd world. China Daily, an online journal, reported potential serious public health and environment problems with genetically modified rice considering its tendency to cause allergic reactions with the concurrent possibility of gene transfers.

6. Tomatoes - Tomatoes have now been genetically engineered for longer shelf life, preventing them from easily rotting and degrading. In a test conducted to determine the safety of GM tomatoes, some animal subjects died within a few weeks after consuming GM tomatoes.

7. Rapeseed - In Canada, this crop was renamed canola to differentiate it from non-edible rapeseed. Food stuff produced from rapeseed includes rapeseed oil (canola oil) used to process cooking oil and margarine. Honey can also be produced from GM rapeseed. German food surveillance authorities discovered as much as a third of the total pollen present in Canadian honey may be from GM pollen. In fact, some honey products from Canada were also discovered to have pollen from GM rapeseed.

8. Dairy products - It has been discovered that 22 percent of cows in the U.S. were injected with recombinant (genetically modified) bovine growth hormone (rbGH). This Monsanto created hormone artificially forces cows to increase their milk production by 15 percent. Milk from cows treated with this milk inducing hormone contains increased levels of IGF-1 (insulin growth factors-1). Humans also have IGF-1 in their system. Scientists have expressed concerns that increased levels of IGF-1 in humans have been associated with colon and breast cancer.

9. Potatoes - Mice fed with potatoes engineered with Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki Cry 1 were found to have toxins in their system. Despite claims to the contrary, this shows that Cry1 toxin was stable in the mouse gut. When the health risks were revealed, it sparked a debate.

10. Peas - Peas that have been genetically modified have been found to cause immune responses in mice and possibly even in humans. A gene from kidney beans was inserted into the peas creating a protein that functions as a pesticide.

Want to know how you can help? Get your voice heard by joining the Justlabelit movement and shout your position to boycott Monsanto with any of these items below!

Make your statement with T shirts, water bottles, doggie wear, and more!

 

 

 

 

Thanks to the folks at the Future of Food site, below is a list of some of the many amazing organizations and groups that have popped up in an effort to help protect our food supply. I encourage you to help by contacting each group; sign a petition, contact a congressman, donate to a cause, etc.

 

Here are some great resources for learning  more about living free of GM foods!

The Center for Food Safety
http://www.truefoodnow.org
CFS works to protect human health and the environment by curbing the proliferation of harmful food production technologies and by promoting organic and other forms of sustainable agriculture. CFS engages in legal, scientific and grassroots initiatives to guide national and international policymaking on critical food safety issues.

Non-GMO Project
http://www.nongmoproject.org/
The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit collaboration of manufacturers, retailers, processors, distributors, farmers, seed breeders and consumers. Our shared belief is that everyone deserves an informed choice about whether or not to consume genetically modified products, and our common mission is to ensure the sustained availability of non-GMO choices.

The Right to Know Campaign

http://labelgmos.org/ 

A campaign to get an initiative on the California 2012 ballot to make GMO labeling mandatory.

Organic Seed Alliance

http://www.seedalliance.org/

Organic Seed Alliance is a nonprofit public charity that supports the ethical development and stewardship of the genetic resources of agricultural seed. They accomplish their goals through collaborative education and research programs with organic farmers and other seed professionals.

EcoFarm
http://eco-farm.org/ 
The Ecological Farming Association nurtures healthy and just farms, food systems, communities and environment by bringing people together for education, alliance building and advocacy. Through educational conferences, training programs, on-farm events and communications initiatives, we pursue a safe and healthful food system that strengthens soils, protects air and water, encourages diverse ecosystems and economies, and honors rural life.

Truth in Labeling Coalition
http://truthinlabelingcoalition.org/
Dr. Chris Wege is the President of theTruth in Labeling Coalition. He received his PhD in World Peace Studies from MERU in the Netherlands in 2002, his MA in the Science of Creative Intelligence from MERU Switzerland in 1977, his BA in psychology with honors from Bowling Green State University [Ohio] in 1974; and was among the early researchers to publish research on the brain chemical Serotonin. As well as being an international green developer/investor, Chris is a crusader for the cause of mandatory labeling of genetically modified substances in our food and is working to pass legislation in 2009 to preserve the integrity of organic agriculture and protect the consumer right to know.

The Organic Center
http://www.organic-center.org/
Organic Center’s Vision: Conversion of agriculture to organic methods, improved health for the earth and its inhabitants, and greater awareness of and demand for organic products.

Rethinking School Lunch
http://www.ecoliteracy.org/programs/rsl.html
This Center for Ecoliteracy program advocates food as the focus for a curriculum that teaches the values, skills, and knowledge to change present practices toward sustainable solutions. It offers a guide to transforming our connection to food and farming, beginning with school lunch.

Say No to GMOs!
http://www.saynotogmos.org/
A site that offers extensive information on the complex and controversial issue of genetic engineering.

Union of Concerned Scientists
http://www.ucsusa.org/
UCS is an independent nonprofit alliance of more than 100,000 concerned citizens and scientists. They aim to augment rigorous scientific analysis with innovative thinking and committed citizen advocacy to build a cleaner, healthier environment and a safer world.

Crop Choice
http://www.cropchoice.com/
CropChoice is an alternative news and information source for American farmers and consumers about genetically modified crops, corporate agribusiness concentration, farm and trade policy, sustainable agriculture, wind farming and alternative energy, and rural economic and social issues.

Consumers’ Union
http://www.consumersunion.org/
Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, is an independent, nonprofit testing and information organization serving only consumers.

Greenpeace
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/
Greenpeace is a non-profit campaign organization that addresses worldwide environmental issues.

PANNA
http://www.panna.org/
PANNA (Pesticide Action Network North America) works to replace pesticide use with ecologically sound and socially just alternatives. As one of five PAN Regional Centers worldwide, we link local and international consumer, labor, health, environment and agriculture groups into an international citizens’ action network.

Organic Consumers Association
http://www.organicconsumers.org/
The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) The OCA is a grassroots non-profit public interest organization which deals with crucial issues of food safety, industrial agriculture, genetic engineering, corporate accountability, and environmental sustainability.

Californians for GE-Free Agriculture
http://www.calgefree.org/
The Californians for GE-Free Agriculture Coalition is unique in that it brings together farmer-based organizations with consumer and environmental groups to halt the introduction of economically and ecologically destructive genetically engineered (GE) crops. Our mission is to stop new GE crop plantings in California.

Genetic Engineering Action Network
http://www.geaction.org/
The Genetic Engineering Action Network (GEAN) is a diverse network of grassroots activists, national and community non-governmental organizations (NGOs), farmer and farm advocacy groups, academics and scientists who have come together to work on the myriad of issues surrounding biotechnology.

University of Northern Iowa Local Food Project
http://www.ceee.uni.edu/Home/Programs/LocalFoods/LocalFoods/NorthernIowaFoodFarmPartnership.aspx
The University of Northern Iowa Local Food Project works to Strengthen the local food economy in Iowa by connecting institutional food buyers with nearby farms and processors. And by attempting to fostering a growing relationship among consumers, grocers, meat lockers, restaurant owners, dining service staff, farmers, local government and economic development officials.

Our Love of Children Foundation
http://iwanthealthyfood.org/ourluv/
As a protector of community life, Our Love of Children Foundation advocates for the present and future well being of children. The organization delivers community based, solution-focused programs on sustainable and healthy living, and encourages all in developing their highest potential for creativity, wisdom, and well-being.

Green.tv
http://www.green.tv/
Green.tv is a broadband TV channel devoted to environmental films. It is supported by the United Nations Environment Programme and is dedicated to educating the public on environmental issues that will shape our world in the coming years.

Handharvested.org
http://www.handharvested.org/
Chicago, IL “Hand Harvested: Our Future in Genetic Engineering” (September 1 – 30). Open to artists in all media relating to subjects such as biotech deception, patenting of life, genetically modified organisms (GMO), fair trade and sustainable organic living. Fee is $15. For more information, call 1-800-252-8221, e-mail info@handharvest.org or visit the website!