In writing the two of my last posts regarding modified foods I neglected to include something very, very important. My niece was wonderfully instrumental in pointing this out, which brought me back, I hope, to a point of balance. What I neglected to do, for all those who wish to eat healthy, natural foods, was to write about what steps can be taken, both individually and in groups, to help protect our health. Believe it or not, we do still have some choice in the matter.
I discovered just this morning, through my research, that because I have always been told in the media that canola oil margarine, for example, is very much more beneficial to health than any other such product, that I have, in all ignorance, been consuming a genetically modified food for many years now. I also realized that a specific health issue that I have, is directly related to the consumption of dairy products in all of its various forms due to the fact that dairy cows are injected with chemicals to make them produce more milk. These dairy cows develop health complications from this practice that are not good, but more on that another time.
This discovery however, means that I obviously need to change my eating habits quite drastically. But how do I know that the new product I wish to purchase is not genetically altered or tampered with in some way? A little thinking and research in this regard led me to some obvious conclusions and one very important discovery. It seems that here in Canada, I am embarrassed to say, there is no legislated or regulated requirement to label food products which have been genetically altered. This, it seems to me, severely limits my choice in what I buy, as well a my right to buy only what I wish to buy.
So here as Canadians we have two related problems. First we need to research very carefully before we buy food products if we wish to avoid GM foods, and second something needs to be done to remedy the lack of labeling on consumer food products in Canada. After all, if we can label tobacco products then it seems to me we can label food products accordingly. To do this it is necessary to lobby the government and/or to join a group dedicated towards this end, nothing else it seems will produce a solution to this problem. In addition, there are many other countries where labeling is not required. " For example, the United States does not have GM food labeling....Additionally, there are no international labeling standards for GM foods despite efforts through the UN’s Food Standard Codex Alimentarius." So take action, sign a petition, join a group dedicated to preserving your right to choose, and/or spread the word the more of us who do this, the better.
The following links will provide you with more info on GM foods to decide for yourself whether or not you wish to consume them, if like me you have heard very little about them to this point.
http://www.gentechvrij.nl/plaatjesgen/crigenPressRelease-3GMOs-IJBS_1209.pdf
links:
http://www.bionetonline.org/English/Content/ff_cont1.htm
http://www.bionetonline.org/English/Content/ff_cont4.htm
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/genetic-engineering
http://www.gmfoodnews.com/gming.html
http://www.seedsofdeception.com/Public/GeneticRoulette/HealthRisksofGMFoodsSummaryDebate/index.cfm
http://www.organicconsumers.org/monsanto/secret062305.cfm
These links will provide you with info on which food products contain GM food sources:
http://www.gmfoodnews.com/gmwho.html
http://www.appropedia.org/Genetically_modified_food#Types_of_GM_food
http://www.engdahl.oilgeopolitics.net/GMO/gmo.html
Some info on specific danger/ controversy regarding GM foods:
http://www.psrast.org/molbeng.htm
A list of genetically altered foods approved by Canadian Government:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/gmf-agm/appro/index-eng.php
Here is a starting list of the types of foods that have been genetically altered
: golden rice, apples (grapple), sweet potatoe, peas, soy, wheat, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, canola (cooking oil and margarine), alfalfa, papaya, fish, nutrasweet. aspartame, equal and cotton seed which produce oils. No doubt this is only the beginning of a longer list. Some of the health hazards posed by these foods and lists of companies who do or do not use GM foods in their production are detailed at the following sites.
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/genetically-modified-foods.html
http://www.geaction.org/truefood/shoppersguide/guide_printable.html
http://askwaltstollmd.com/archives/genefoods/502300.html
http://www.realgreengoods.com/learning_links.php
Another list of GM foods:
- Sugar cane
- Sweet peppers
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Pineapples
- Cocoa beans
- Yellow squash
- Zucchini
The one, and most important thing, it seems that is absolutely necessary to do is to eliminate as many processed, canned and packaged foods from the diet as possible, and keep yourself up to date on news regarding GM foods. The reason for this, as you will see, is that the list of such products containing GM product ingredients is rather extensive, new GM foods are even now being developed, and you will benefit further by avoiding the consumption of pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, additives and preservatives at the same time.
The other danger is this: GM food are also fed to livestock which are a food source for human consumption as well as GM foods that have been deemed "unsafe" for human consumption. This makes changing your diet rather challenging, but don't be discouraged by this. The best policy seems to be to adopt the motto eat fresh, organic and locally grown. There are still many organic farmers. In doing so you will also contribute to the saving of the environment and wildlife, as it appears that GM foods and the use of chemicals in the growing of foods are contributing mightily to the destruction of both in many, many ways.
Susan
affects everyone, but can be stopped starting at home and within local communities, continuing in an ever outward spiral. In this manner we will communicate the need, ability and benefits to be had by such action to all levels of society and to governments and businesses all over the world. We need to act quickly, and we need to motivate others to do the same, if we are to help ourselves survive and to also keep birds and other wildlife from extinction. Here are some steps you can take towards this goal that is both beneficial and realistic, most especially for your budget.
. Chemical pesticides and herbicides cost a small fortune and are extremely harmful to birds, bees, and other wildlife, as well as to human health. Doing without these chemicals will have the added affect of helping the environment, and if you plant a tree or two in your yard this will be even more beneficial to all concerned, here's how:
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