Dining in the Dark video

Thanks, but no thanks. I don’t know about you, but I have no interest in being used in an experiment that is more than likely hastening my death. If you have never checked into genetically modified foods, today is the day.

So, what are GMOs, anyway? I’m sure you’ve heard the term “genetically modified” at some point or another.  A GMO (genetically modified organism) is the result of a laboratory process of taking genes from one species and inserting them into another in an attempt to obtain a desired trait or characteristic. This process may be called either Genetic Engineering (GE) or Genetic Modification (GM). With genetic engineering, scientists can breach species barriers set up by nature. The results are plants (or animals) with traits that would be virtually impossible to obtain with natural processes, such as crossbreeding or grafting. Take a look at some of the outlandish things scientists have tried:

-Spider genes were inserted into goat DNA, in hopes that the goat milk would contain spider web protein for use in bulletproof vests.
-Cow genes turned pigskins into cowhides.
-Jellyfish genes lit up pigs’ noses in the dark.
-Arctic fish genes gave tomatoes and strawberries tolerance to frost.
-Potatoes that glowed in the dark when they needed watering.
-Human genes were inserted into corn to produce spermicide.

Oh my word, is this craziness, or what?!?! I for one believe that if God wanted potatoes to glow in the dark, He would’ve made them that way!

How is Genetically Engineering done?
In order to breach these natural barriers and make possible the introduction of DNA from a different species, genetic engineers have to find ways to force the DNA from one organism into another. These methods include:

– Using viruses or bacteria to “infect” animal or plant cells with the new DNA.
– Coating DNA onto tiny metal pellets, and firing it with a special gun into the cells.
– Injecting the new DNA into fertilized eggs with a very fine needle.
– Using electric shocks to create holes in the membrane covering sperm, and then forcing the new DNA into the sperm through these holes.

Ok, so maybe you’re wondering, ‘what’s the big deal – why should I care? How does this affect me?‘. Well here we go, keep on reading…
The problem is that GMOs are now a HUGE part of our food supply and have been added for mainly economic benefit. Economic benefit for you and me? Ha! Absolutely not! The big Agri-businesses have much to gain through the addition of GMOs. The two main traits that have been added to crops are herbicide tolerance and the ability of the plant to produce its own pesticide. Herbicide tolerance lets the farmer spray weed-killer directly on the crop without killing it. Clearly, if the weed-killer is sprayed right on the crop it’s going straight in our bodies. Plus, with the introduction of “Round-up Ready” crops, the use of pesticides as increased, in some cases, as high as 15-fold. That is A LOT of pesticide being carried into our bodies with the foods we eat. Plus, the scary thing is that very few human studies are being done to find the impact this is having and will continue to have on our health.

On the other hand, there are animal studies being done of which the vast majority are showing detrimental effects. How can we assume that we are immune to the effects of GMOs if animals are being extremely harmed by them? Take a look at this one study in particular. It also shows how desperately those who have much to gain from Genetic Engineering want to hide the truth:

Biologist Arpad Pusztai had more than 300 articles and 12 books to his credit and was the world’s top expert in this field.

But when he accidentally discovered that genetically modified (GM) foods are dangerous, he became the biotech industry’s bad-boy poster child, setting an example for other scientists thinking about blowing the whistle.

In the early 1990s, Dr. Pusztai was awarded a $3 million grant by the UK government to design the system for safety testing genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

His team included more than 20 scientists working at three facilities, including the Rowett Institute in Aberdeen, Scotland, the top nutritional research lab in the UK, and his employer for the previous 35 years.

The results of Pusztai’s work were supposed to become the required testing protocols for all of Europe. But when he fed supposedly harmless GM potatoes to rats, things didn’t go as planned.

Within just 10 days, the animals developed potentially pre-cancerous cell growth, smaller brains, livers, and testicles, partially atrophied livers, and damaged immune systems. Moreover, the cause was almost certainly side effects from the process of genetic engineering itself. In other words, the GM foods on the market, which are created from the same process, might have similar affects on humans.

With permission from his director, Pusztai was interviewed on TV and expressed his concerns about GM foods. He became a hero at his institute — for two days.

Then came the phone calls from the pro-GMO prime minister’s office to the institute’s director. The next morning, Pusztai was fired. He was silenced with threats of a lawsuit, his team was dismantled, and the protocols never implemented. His Institute, the biotech industry, and the UK government, together launched a smear campaign to destroy Pusztai’s reputation. (read more at www.mercola.com)

Today, most major US food crops are now genetically engineered.
-86% of all corn
-91% of soy
-93% of canola
-95% of sugarbeets
-93% of cottenseed

Also:
-meat, eggs, and dairy products from animals that have eaten GM feed (and the majority of the GM corn and soy is used for feed);
-dairy products from cows injected with rbGH (a GM hormone);
-food additives, enzymes, flavorings, and processing agents, including the sweetener aspartame (NutraSweet®) and rennet used to make hard cheeses;
and honey and bee pollen that may have GM sources of pollen.
– Non-food items that may contain GM ingredients include cosmetics, soaps, detergents, shampoo and bubble bath.

Plus, our government currently prevents GMO labeling, so it is virtually impossible to know if what you’re eating contains GMOs.

Clearly, this is a HUGE problem and there is much more we could talk about. Hopefully this has at least opened your eyes a bit to the dangers and the importance of slowly decreasing the amounts of genetically modified foods/products you buy. A couple of simple steps include:

1.) Buy organic when possible. Organic foods are never allowed to contain genetically modified ingredients, so this is the simplest way to avoid them entirely.
2.) For most people, though, it is not an option to buy all things organic. The best way to avoid GMOs is to avoid processed foods as much as possible. Most processed foods (granola bars, fruit snacks, crackers, cookies, etc.) are LOADED with ingredients derived from corn and soy. Plus, they are poor choices for our health anyway. Please look for healthier alternatives for yourself and your children.
3.) Use the Non-GMO shopping guide to find alternative brands and foods.
4.) Avoid products that have corn or soy as a main ingredient, like corn/tortilla chips, soy milk, yogurt, etc, boxed cereal, etc. Get in the habit of READING LABELS and make informed choices.
5.) Look for products that say “Non-GMO ingredients”. They are becoming easier to find as people are making their voices heard & are showing by what they buy that they don’t want GMOs in their food.
6.) Most of all, make changes slowly. Don’t try and change everything overnight, but please, do make changes. Focus on a particular product each week. For example, this week when you’re shopping focus on finding breakfast cereals that are made from whole wheat instead of corn, or make oatmeal a few mornings instead of cereal, processed cereal bars, Pop-tarts, etc.

I believe in a big God that knew what He was doing when He created our world. I also believe that He created our bodies to thrive on food in its most natural state. Making changes in the way we eat and the products we buy takes work and can be difficult. But, the dividends it will pay in our health will be worth all the effort.