3 Reasons To Avoid GM Foods And How To Do It

If one of your fears has been seeing a genetically modified (GM) fish in the neighborhood grocery store, salmon to be precise, you can now be certain that the dreaded lab creation has been cleared by Environment Canada and, pending a few more approval stamps, the production of GM farmed fish will be on its way.

The prospect is as grim as can be, given that we are already in the midst of a big experiment with GM foods and their effect on human health and the environment. Proponents and producers of GM crops say there’s nothing to be afraid of but the opponents have a different opinion.

The opposition of both environmentalists and the public to GM foods is based on three major arguments:

1. GM foods have not been tested enough to be deemed safe. According to food and environmental watchdogs, most studies are funded by the biotech industry promoting the crops, hence they are biased. As expected, they are all saying GM foods are safe to consume. Many independent studies looked at the effects of GM food consumption in laboratory or farm animals and pointed out to an increased risk of tumour development and endocrine disruption in animals fed GM foods over a period of 12 weeks and longer. Some of the GM crops (rice, soy) also have altered nutritional profiles that increase the risk of food allergies.

2. GM foods, be it fish or corn, or soy, are damaging to the environment. Most if not all, get the approval stamp based on ‘safe if contained’ yet most are never contained to one habitat for long. GM crops end up mixing with local, organic crops but more than that, they end up in the feed of farm animals which will ultimately reach the consumer. Also, organic farmers and gardeners have been relying on pollinating bugs for ever. Pesticides specifically designed for GM crops in conjunction with other pesticides used on conventionally-grown crops are blamed for the decline of pollinating bugs such as bees and butterflies. They also seem to threaten biodiversity, a few reports argued, by having their genes getting mixed with those of their unmodified counterparts. Moreover, some argue that although hybridization and promoting new varieties over the years is not a new practice, that was still based on natural selection and breeding methods that did not interfere directly with the genetic makeup of the plant or animal.

3. GM foods have yet to be labeled as such. Although many GM crops have been cleared, safety-wise, by large governmental organizations such as WHO and Health Canada, there are no labeling requirements to date. With crops such as potatoes, corn, soybeans, rice, cucumber, tomatoes, sweet pepper, peas, and canola being genetically modified and with more on the way, proper labeling would give the consumers the choice of going with non-GM should they wish to do so. The GM food opponents argument is simple: If there is nothing to fear why not label it an allow the consumer to make an educated choice.

So how to go around the GM food dilemma?

1. Shop at the local farmer’s market or a at a grocery store that relies on local farmers and aims to sell seasonal stuff rather than have everything available at all times.

2. Avoid all processed foods if possible. If it’s in a package chances are there’s little nutritional value left in it to begin with. Though there is no labeling of any genetic modification, chances are many processed foods are based on GM crops, a cheaper alternative compared to traditionally-grown crops.

3. Opt for animal and dairy products from local organic farms. All animal and dairy products produced by conventional farms come from animals fed a diet based on GM crops such as corn and soy. To add insult to injury, animal fat is the unfortunate carrier of  a lot of harmful chemicals such a pesticides, environmental pollutants and antibiotics.

4. Keep an eye out for that ingredients list. Unless specified, corn-derived products such as cornstarch and corn syrup, vegetable oils and soy-derived additives, are bound to come from GM crops.

5. Avoid eating out often and when you do, choose establishments that feature recipes based on seasonal and locally-available produce. Not only will the food taste better but you’ll encourage local clean farming, something every community benefits from.