GMO's - What are you eating?

These days the word about GMO's (Genetically Modified Organisms) is slowly spreading in the media - more and more people are becoming enlightened/aware of the lack of research and lack of studies when it comes to the health effects of gmo's on the public! The topic of GMO's can now be heard in News Articles/Reels, Magazines, Online/Offline and are sometimes mentioned and briefly talked about on Radio Shows/Programs. I myself have overheard the topic discussed over a cup of coffee in a restaurant.

GMO's are one of many issues concerning our health & wellness as well as our planets future! It is definitely a topic that more people should be understanding, researching and questioning - since it has unknowingly become a part of our daily lives. It seems that the US & Canada along with some other countries have been using it's people as a mass experiment one which people were not even made aware of! Do you know when they started genetically modifying your food/materials/products? What foods/materials are genetically modified? What countries allow GMO's? If you have never heard of GMO's then you have just proven my point, if you don't know when it began, or in what foods GMO's can be found then you are like most of the general public - left in the dark, but why is that? Our food has changed drastically over the last 50-60 years and what you thought you were eating might not be as "safe", "healthy" or "nutritious" as you may think! The assumption that "studies" have been done, that "laws & regulations" are in place is just not the case! Especially when most of the laws and regulations were created decades before most of the chemicals, additives, GMO's etc. were even introduced into our food & products! If they are "safe" in one country then how can other countries say that they are not? Who stands to gain the most profit and what country are they? (interesting fact: GMO's were created in the US and as such the US & Canada both allow GMO's in their food)

Don't get me wrong I think Technology can be a wonderful thing "IF" used properly! With proper "long term" testing/research and NOT by the Government and their affiliates who to me seem to have their own agendas! I think these days being "reactive" rather than "pro-active" seems to be the sad state of affairs where money is involved. As far as GMO's are concerned the EU (European Union) has banned GMO's!! They know that there is NO solid long term testing and that the testing that has been done isn't sound enough and safe enough to endanger the European people yet Canada & US continue to genetically modify their foods! "If" Gmo's were harmless then why aren't thing labeled as GMO on products and foods - many natural food groups, Scientist, Doctors, Health Agencies etc. have gone head to head with the Government and have battled to have things containing GMO's labeled, yet they have been refused!! - why? Most people haven't even heard of GMO's! Shouldn't people be made aware of it and have a choice whether they consume/use such items? Interesting isn't it?

Europe also has higher standards for chemicals and additives! RBGH (Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone) has been proven to cause harm in humans and Europe banned them as well as Canada but the US still administers it to their animals! So even if you live in Canada - now the question you have to ask yourself is - where are your meats & dairy products coming from? It's one thing for them to ban the "use" of RBGH in Canada and it's another to "import" meat and dairy from the US....!! (Loopholes can be found anywhere and companies always find them) "While it is used in the United States (though not without reaction), it is 100% banned in Canada, the European Union, Australia and New Zealand. In Canada, bulk milk products from the United States that have been produced with rbST are still allowed to be sold and used in food manufacture" (Quote from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bovine_somatotropin )

It seems that in the 21st Century we find ourselves in the midst of such a consumer driven and result oriented society that companies are rushing to be the first in line to make things faster, cheaper, stronger & sometimes "Profit Margins" seem to overshadow health and long term global responsibility. Profit should NEVER be put before our Health & Wellness nor the stability and sustainability of our planet! These days our life expectancy has almost doubled but the "quality" of life in terms of health has declined! Diabetes, Cancer, Leukemia, Asthma, ADD, ADHD, Autism the list goes on and on - the rise is not just in adults but has also been reported in staggering and increasing numbers in our children!!! Everything from Genetically Modified Foods, to the air we breathe! The lack of fore site, laws/regulations are the tip of the iceberg. We know why Companies & the Government are remaining silent but why are the people - the general public? Is it lack of awareness? Trust in the Companies & Government to regulate and keep us safe? At this point I would like to believe that it's just that simple - that people lack the knowledge and not that people don't care - after all we are talking about ourselves, our children and future generations to come. Consider this: GMO crops intermingle with naturally occurring/growing vegetation and wildlife. Seeds will blow, bees and other insects will pollinate, animals feed on vegetation and again spread these seeds with their manure - the natural world as we know it is at risk of cross-contamination on a global scale. GMO fish being released into the wild breeding with natural/wild fish in the rivers, lakes, oceans.... In 50 years what will we consider "natural"? Why are we letting it happen when we don't know the long term health/global repercussions?

I have researched many articles and have talked with quite a few people about this subject and have listed a few sites below to get you started about GMO's. The following are a few of my favorite links. Do your own research from reputable and solid sources, contact the EU and ask why they have banned GMO's - dig for information, ask questions! Education and awareness about the world around us is important in all we do especially when it involves/effects us, our children, and future generations to come. If we close our eyes, or refuse to "believe" sound research and studies the problem will not go away - infact that is what the general public has done for the past 50-60 years and look at where we are: Illnesses increasing in children as well as adults, toxic overload/body burden, environmental pollution, the list goes on and on... All because we didn't question things, we as people didn't research, study, or make a stand! Ignorance and a lackadaisical attitude has dug us and our family's a hole that finally but slowly the media is shedding light on in small tid-bits here and there... Some people are sadly looking at the "Green", "Natural", "Toxic-Free", "Enviro" movement as a "fad"! Calling it a "fad" is an easy and frankly lazy way out. The "Green mindset", "Lifestyle" change - it's long overdue it is a change that all living things on this planet need and deserve! It's a change that kicks the pharma/chem companies and labs in the derriere and opens a flood gate of awareness to the general public. While the information is still just trickling down the mainstream the information is out there - you are reading this article on the Internet and as such you have an invaluable tool which enables endless number of resources to be available at your fingertips - all one has to do is "want to" look and understand...

A CBC News reel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U0pdIGdpuA

The "Non GMO Project": http://www.nongmoproject.org/consumers/about-gmos/

Greenpeace: "Say no to genetic engineering" article http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/genetic-engineering

Greenpeace How to avoid GMO's: "How to avoid GMO's - Shopping (PDF format) Guide"http://gmoguide.greenpeace.ca/shoppers_guide.pdf

Cancer Prevention Coalition: "Why is American Milk Banned in Europe?" http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/general/milk.htm

Treehugger site - great articles on GMO's here: http://www.treehugger.com/search.php?cx=017401606067716418337%3Abtpggki1yw8&cof=FORID%3A11&q=gmo&sa=Search#2186

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/01/monsanto-gmo-corn-causes-cancer-mammals.php

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/12/gmo-bans-laws-labels-around-the-world.php

"Say No to GMO's" site with great info: http://www.saynotogmos.org/