Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
3:26 AM | 
Posted by
Kaplan Center for Health and Wellness
By: Renee Gosselin, MS MBA RD
Nutrition Instructor
Nutrition Instructor
I have always been very concerned with the
food supply and engineering that occurs with our foods. I think back to sitting
in my biochemistry lab in undergraduate school and being stunned at the other
students thinking it was great that we could take DNA and manipulate it to a
different hybrid food to eat. I have continued to notice that genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) are being discussed with the public. It is very important for
the public to have a basic understanding of what is a GMO and what to look for
how to read a label in relationship to a GMO.
Generally speaking, genetically modified
organisms can be plants/animals that have been genetically altered by
engineering. These species cannot occur naturally in the environment. There has been talk of health and environment
problems due to GMO foods in the United States. In many countries, GMO have been
banned for decades. The majority of foods are modified and possibly up to about
80% of foods have GMO products found within them.
Foods that have been identified as high
risk GMO foods are but are not limited to:
·
Corn
·
Canola
·
Soy
·
Sugar Beets
·
Zucchini
·
Yellow Squash
Additionally, some common foods that have
been genetically modified within the last 20 years include tomatoes, potatoes,
salmon, and pigs.
You ask, how do I know if something is GMO
free? Currently, there are some labels to look for on a food package. Additionally, organic food may not utilize
GMO products. Farmers must prove their crops/animals are GMO free if they are
claiming the food is organic.
Overall, GMO products are continuing to be in the
spotlight and concerns are being addressed by many.
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