Here's How Your Food Has Been Genetically Modified | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Here's How Your Food Has Been Genetically Modified

We all change over time.

56
Here's How Your Food Has Been Genetically Modified
wikimedia.org

If you've looked in the produce section of a grocery store within the last few years, you will see two specific labels making their way on to more and more produce items: Non-GMO Project and Certified Organic. Generally they are sitting side-by-side in the healthy foods section with packaging that is green, nature-like, and peaceful. What do these labels mean? Many people will assume they mean the food inside is safer and healthier than alternate options. Organic foods pride themselves on not containing GMOs, or genetically modified organisms. Even though GMOs are safe, it is important to know that Non-GMO is not equivalent to "the DNA in this plant has never been altered."

Ever since the dawn of agriculture in 9000 BC, man has been cross-breeding plants in order to suit their nutritional needs. Some of the most common crops today looked excruciatingly different before they were domesticated, and they held little nutritional value. The watermelon, pictured below, is a prime example.

Methods like cross-breeding instantly changed the genetic makeup of today's crops. Science has come incredibly far since then, and we now use a variation of breeding methods to create the healthiest foods possible. Methods like mutagenesis, polyploidy and protoplast fusion are in common practice and are all involved in Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project foods, and genome editing is currently being researched. So far, it has mostly been used in the medical field for cancer and diabetes research. Below, you will see a breakdown of how all the different breeding methods take place.


Transgenesis, or the method that produces GMOs, is currently the only form of breeding under fire from society. Now, let's look at some of these other methods.

Mutagenesis may involve introducing radioactivity to the foods we eat. If we were using the same logic as those opposed to transgenesis, there should be people screaming about how unsafe radioactivity is and that we should keep it away from our food.
Genome editing is not being widely used yet, but many biotechnology companies are looking into it so they can advertise they are non-GMO, when in actuality they are just as modified as the GMO crops. Understand that transgenisis is just another form of breeding, except a protein from another crop is introduced. All of those stock photos you see of plants being shot with crazy neon liquids is definitely not how it works.

One famous experiment by scientists talked of an apple that was slow to deteriorate. It was a GMO crop, and it was quite the talk of the scientific community. All they had done was found a protein in bacteria that suppressed the chemical that caused rotting. Scientists introduced the protein to the apple, and boom. The apple had a shelf life for weeks. However, all you saw on the internet was people screaming about the "Franken-apple."

GMO crops have made great strides in science and have helped maximize farm production. It is important to know they are to be embraced and not feared. Many people are scared of the weeds that are now intolerant to our herbicides due to wide GMO use, but GMOs can very well be the answer to their own problem. They have fixed many other problems like vitamin A deficiency, and they have cut back on pollution from nitrogen fertilizers.

At the end of the day, we need to embrace the new strides in science that keep our bellies full and our bodies healthy. No matter what food it is you are buying, know that the DNA is contains has definitely been modified over the years. It doesn't matter what label is on the front. Your food is healthy, and is produced specifically for you from farmers all over the world.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1083
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

652
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199761
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20613
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments