GMOs
At Oryana, we prioritize the purchase of food that is certified organic. There are many reasons why certified organic food is our preference; one in particular is the assurance that food grown organically is prohibited from being genetically engineered.
What are genetically engineered foods?
Genetic Engineering (GE) or Genetic Modification (GM) is the laboratory process of artificially manipulating genes of one species and inserting them into the DNA of a different species. The result is called a genetically modified organism (GMO). GMOs can be engineered with genes from bacteria, viruses, insects, animals or even humans. Genetic engineering is an imprecise technique that can lead to unpredictable results because under current technology, it’s impossible to exactly guide the insertion of a gene from one species into a totally different species.
Genetic engineering has no resemblance to traditional breeding techniques. Traditional breeding techniques operate within established natural boundaries that allow reproduction to take place only
Genetic engineering, on the other hand, crosses genes between unrelated species that would never cross-breed in nature. For example, traditional breeders have never been capable of crossing fish genes with strawberries. But genetically engineered “fishberries” are already in the field.
In the US, our food supply is rapidly becoming saturated with GMOs. Currently, up to 85 percent of corn is genetically engineered as is 91 percent of soybeans. It has been estimated that 70-75 percent of processed foods on supermarket shelves–from soda to soup, crackers to condiments–contain genetically engineered ingredients.
Let’s Label Foods that Contain GMOs
The majority of Americans say they would not eat GMOs if labeled, but unlike most other industrialized countries, the US does not require labeling.
A recent poll concluded that nine out of ten Americans favor labelling of GMOs, but biotech companies like Monsanto have powerful lobbies that prevent any labeling initiative from moving forward. The good news is that the Institute for Responsible Technology estimates that it will take only about 5% of US shoppers rejecting GMO foods for food producers to start listening.
We can make a difference!
The Effects of GMOs on our Health
In 2009, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine called for a moratorium on GMOs in food, citing a number of animal studies that show there is, “more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects” and that “GM foods pose a serious health risk in the areas of toxicology, allergy and immune function, reproductive health, and metabolic, physiologic and genetic health.” (aaemonline.org/gmopost.html)
Even in the absence of direct cause and effect proof that GMOs adversely affect human health, Oryana believes that there is enough evidence to take precautionary action to get GMOS out of our food to protect human and environmental health.
The Effects of GMOs on our Environment
In 2005, 71% of all GM crops grown were genetically engineered to be pesticide resistant. This means that a field can now be sprayed with chemicals and everything will die except for the resistant crop. This can result in farm lands devoid of wildlife and will spell disaster for millions of already declining birds, bees and plants.
The most comprehensive independent research done using USDA data demonstrates that since the introduction of GM crops in the United States, more than 120 million pounds of additional pesticides were used.
Monsanto, the world’s leading producer of GMOs, claims that GMOs are absolutely needed because they will save the world from environmental catastrophe and human hunger. Yet a 2009 Union of Concerned Scientists report that analyzed nearly two decades worth of peer reviewed research revealed that GE has failed to signficantly increase US crop yields. They concluded that: “Traditional breeding outperforms genetic engineering hands down.”
A 2008 UN/World Bank report compiled by 400 scientists came to similar conclusions stating that GM crops have little to offer global agriculture. Instead the report championed “agroecological” farming as the sustainable way forward.
What you can Do
Obtain a copy of the Non-GMO Shopper’s Guide compiled by the Center for Food Safety. You can download your portable shopper’s guide here.
Buy products that are certified organic. All ingredients in certified organic products are not allowed to contain GMOs.
Unless they are certified organic, avoid the Big Four ingredients that are the most commonly genetically engineered: corn, soy, canola and cotton.
Write your elected government representatives and let them know that you want GMOs out of our food. Request that food that is genetically engineered be labeled. We have a right to know.
Get to know local farmers who are going the extra mile to produce food sustainably without the use of GMOs. Set your priorities and invest in these local farmers.
Enroll your business in the Non-GMO Project. For more information check out www.nongmoproject.org
What Oryana is Doing
We believe that the use of GMOs contradicts our mission of providing high quality food grown in ecologically sound ways at fair value to member-owners and the community.
Our purchasing guidelines emphasize food grown organically. We also believe that connecting with local farmers who are striving to grow food sustainably is critically important to creating a resilient, healthy local food economy.
Recently, we’ve been meeting with our local farmers to more clearly understand the challenges of procuring non-gmo seed and feed for animals as well as growing non-gmo food in a climate becoming increasingly saturated with GMOs. We are committed to working with these farmers to develop mutually beneficial GMO-free short- and long-term solutions. For many farmers though, there is a harsh reality: growing food sustainably is both more labor intensive and costs more to produce.
Ultimately, the message from these farmers is clear. They are ready to invest in a GMO-free future. Oryana as well is ready to invest. The question is: Are we, the consumers ready? Ultimately it is up to us to make the choice. By spending a little more of our dollars on sustainably grown food, we complete the circle.
The Non-GMO Project
The Non-GMO Project has named October as the first ever Non-GMO Month. NCGA, along with other project sponsors UNFI, PCC, Whole Foods, Jimbo's and INFRA, recently signed on to a letter encouraging vendors to enroll in the Non-GMO project. Additionally, the Non-GMO Project is encouraging retail participation in helping raise consumer awareness in October. Please visit www.nongmoproject.org for more information. Oryana is registered with this organization.