A GMO, or Genetically Modified Organism, is an animal, plant or bacteria that has had its genetic make-up altered. Gene modification is designed to improve the quality and nutrition of the organism, and increase the maturation and yield, according to the Human Genome Project Information. Not everyone is convinced GMO foods are safe, claiming they may cause harm to the environment and the health of the people who eat them. It is important to know what foods have been genetically modified so you can make an informed decision.
Soybean
As of 2010, 93 percent of the all the soy cultivated in the United States is genetically modified, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA. These soybeans contain herbicide-tolerant traits. Soy crops are sprayed with herbicides to kill weeds because they interrupt the growth of the plant-reducing yields. The genetic modification prevents the herbicide from affecting the soybean plant. Because soy is so prevalent in processed food, it is likely you have been consuming GMO soy without even knowing it. It is estimated that 60 to 70 percent of manufactured food contains a GMO ingredient, according to the Colorado State University Extension.
Corn
Corn is also a common GMO food. Sixty-three percent of corn crops have been genetically modified to be herbicide tolerant, and 70 percent have been modified to be insect resistant, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Corn is also highly prevalent in processed foods as an ingredient, such as high fructose corn syrup. Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says a food needs to indicate if it contains a GMO ingredient if the ingredient is nutritionally different from the original, if the ingredient harbors a potential allergen, or if the food item contains toxic levels of the GMO ingredient. Foods containing high fructose corn syrup do not require labeling.
Canola Oil
Canola oil is an important food product. It is a heart-healthy oil containing low levels of saturated fat and high levels of monounsaturated fat, according to MayoClinic.com. The canola plant was developed through crossbreeding with the rapeseed plant to reduce levels of erucic acid, a toxin to humans, creating a genetically modified plant. Genetically modified canola oil is one of the most common GMO foods, according to the Colorado State University Extension. Canada is the top producer of the altered canola oil, says GMO compass.
References
- ProQuest: Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?
- Colorado State University Extension: Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods
- Human Genome Project: Genetically Modified Foods and Organisms
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Adoptions of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S.
- Penn State: Introduction to Weeds and Herbicides
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