Opponents to genetically modified food — food which has had its DNA altered — have long dismissed arguments that the planet needs GM crops to help solve the problem of international hunger. In spite of the UN itself noting that world hunger is a problem of food distribution, not food production, companies that produce GM seed (such as Monsanto) keep trotting out this hunger argument in order to position themselves as the corporate version of Mother Teresa. However, a study out of University of Kansas takes this argument down yet another step (or two) by revealing that GM crops yield less per acre than conventional and seem to be unable to take up certain nutrients from the soil.
Sadly, most of the soy and corn grown is already genetically modified, unbeknownst to most consumers. And a quick read of most food labels reveals that soy and corn is in almost EVERYTHING. Indeed, food writer Michael Pollan (”The Omnivore’s Dilemma”) calls us “processed corn walking.” Funny but true. Because companies aren’t required to let consumers know, most of us eat it without understanding the implications or being able to make an informed choice. You’ll see it on labels as soy protein, soy flour, soy protein isolate, lecithin, isoflavones, corn-flour, syrup, starch, masa and gluten, among other ingredients such as aspartame, dextrose, fructose, monosodium glutamate, and xantham gum.
To find out more about genetically modified food, visit www.organicconsumers.org/gelink.cfm
And to read the full article on the recent University of Kansas study, visit http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/13/8405/