Mixing unrelated organisms
Remember how we all learned about genetic engineering from the news stories on cloning? Well, it is now possible to genetically modify foods. Genetically modified foods or organisms (GMOs) are another departure from nature that the United States has yet to tackle in earnest. Historically, food crops and animals have been bread naturally to improve the yield, taste, health and hardiness of food sources. This traditional breeding can only take place between closely related species.
With genetic engineering, genetic information from one species can be inserted into an organism or another species, or bacterial and viral genes can be put into plants, as is done with most genetically engineered foods. Genetic engineering allows DNA to be moved between unrelated organisms.
In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, food producers must indicate on labels whether the food contains genetically modified ingredients. This, however, is not the case in the United States, where many common grocery items now contain genetically modified ingredients but are not labeled as such.
Below is a list of foods that may contain genetically modified organisms (GMO’s):
- Vegetable oils: canola (rape/rapeseed), margarine, cotton, soy, flax, or corn oil labeled as vegetable
- Produce: tomatoes, soybeans, corn, squash, papaya, cassava, coffee beans
- Soybeans: processed foods, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, textured vegetable protein, vegetable protein extract, soy protein, lecithin emulsifier, tofu, tempeh, soy sauce, soy fiber
- Corn: corn starch, glucose syrup, starch, modified starch, thickener, corn flour, corn flakes, cereals, snack foods.
- Potatoes: potato starch and flour
Genetically modified seeds
Genetically modified seeds are another problem. Genetically modified seeds and plants often have changes in genes that code for certain proteins to give the plant some unique benefit. Benefits include the ability to produce more chemicals to fight infection, pests, or frosts; resistance to a pesticide or herbicide used to kill other plants; higher production of a particular type of amino acid or fat; or other benefit.
One kind of seed, called first generation hybrids (F1 hybrids), has been hand-pollinated. F1 hybrids are patented, genetically identical within food types, and sold by multinational seed companies.
A second kind of seed is genetically engineered. These seeds are fast contaminating the global seed supply on a wholesale level, and threatening the purity of seeds everywhere. The DNA of the plant has been changed. A cold water fish gene could be spliced into a tomato to make the plant more resistant to frost, for example.
A third kind of seed is called heirloom or open pollinated. These are seeds that have been passed on from generation to generation. Heirloom seeds offer us genetic diversity that is highlighted by a wide range of colors, textures, shapes, and flavors. It is because of this genetic diversity that heirloom seeds are so vital. Not only are growers protecting genetic diversity, they are also preserving history. Some heirloom seeds can be traced back more than a hundred years. Preserving the cycle of growing and saving seed continues the cycle and allows us to share a piece of history with family and friends. Here are some Web sites for seed-saving organizations:
- www.seedsavers.org
- www.nativeseeds.org
- www.southernexposure.com
- www.seedsofchange.com
- www.seedman.com
- www.heirloomseeds.com
Resistance to GMO food
In Europe, the resistance to GMO food is greater than ever. GMO food is rejected by the majority of European food brands, retailers, and consumers. GMO crops are illegal in Switzerland and prohibited by 175 regional governments and by over 4,500 local authorities and smaller areas in 22 European Union (EU) countries because of their health, environmental, and economic risks. Most European countries started banning GMO’s as early as 1999. The debate over GMO’s will probably continue overseas and eventually gear up in the United States. One of the only states so far to vote on the ban of GMO food is California. Since that state led the nation in the revival of organic foods, it seems natural that the GMO debate in the U.S. would begin in earnest on the West Coast.
Genetic engineering raises a lot of issues. Some see it as beneficial – for instance, as a way to combat hunger in nations with low food production – and some see it as harmful. Probably we aren’t capable right now of foreseeing the long-term effects of GMO’s.
However, it seems like a good idea to leave God’s creation alone! In the Book of Job, chapter 28, Job said, “Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell?… God understands the way to it and He alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens” (vv.20, 23-24). Proverbs 14:12 states, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death”. The potential benefits of GMO crops should not be ignored, but the risks should be carefully weighed. As Christians, we respect the fact that God gave humanity the responsibility to guard, care for and tend to God’s creation. We must require an evaluation of the potential direct and indirect long-term effects of GMO crops on our health and the environment.
As a helpful resource, I have lots of articles on healthy ingredients and recipes that you can implement into your daily life.
If you’d like to dig deeper into my journey of discovering God’s plan for health and wellness, check out my book, Made For Paradise: God’s Original Plan for Healthy Eating, Physical Activity, and Rest.
