Last updated on April 1, 2019
As an advocate for the mandatory labeling of genetically modified foods, it is concerning to me that so many people are still in the dark about GMOs and the harmful effects they have on both our health and the environment. This is despite the abundance of information now available to the general public on the topic.
Consumers stand in supermarket aisles, carefully scrutinizing packaging to discern the calorie count, the fat content, the “carbs,” the sodium, and even if a food is gluten-free (whether or not that’s even a true requirement for their health), yet most are complacent – or even oblivious – to the fact that approximately 75-85% of processed foods in the U.S. have been made from ingredients that that are genetically modified.
Corn, canola, sugar beets, soy, cotton: these crops and their by-products, which find their way into our foods as oils, fillers and substances such as corn syrup, are overwhelmingly genetically modified in the U.S.A. What this means is that, prior to even being planted, the DNA in the seeds of these crops has been spliced with DNA from other species, largely for the purpose of being resistant to the mass application of toxic herbicides and pesticides. There’s no way around it: if you buy these foods, you eat this altered DNA. It’s food created in a lab, not in nature.
A crop does not have to be organic to be GMO-free, although if a food is organic, it is GMO-free by design. Although it’s taken many years, the country now seems to “get” why organic food is better; and those who buy conventionally grown produce know to scrub their fruits and vegetables to rid them of the residue of pesticides and toxins. But you cannot scrub enough to get to the DNA of a 
food, where the genetic modification takes place. The vast amount of genetically engineered food is for the purpose of resisting herbicides and pesticides. When the DNA is altered, the plant itself becomes a pesticide.
In the near future, we can unfortunately be expecting “foods” such as salmon and apples that have been altered as well. Hard to label, because they are “fresh” or will appear on menus, these “healthy foods” will infiltrate our food supply.
The health of the American people has been progressively suffering for almost 20 years – since 1996, when GMOs first entered into our food supply – and yet our government continues to turn a blind eye. Allergies, food related illnesses, digestive disorders, chronic illness: all are on the rise. Some statistics have nearly doubled! Is this due to GMOs? Some people think so, but human studies are sparse. What seems certain is that more studies are needed and that the effects of GMOs should at least be monitored. What is definite is that people should be aware of what is in their food and have a choice.
As word is spreading, and proactive labeling is appearing on many products – indeed, the non-GMO label was up 66% in 2012, the fastest growing label in the eco-foods sector – millions of 
Americans believe that this labeling should not just be proactive, but should be the law. Education and awareness are the first steps! Please take some time to get informed on what GMOs are, and then educate those around you. The choice is yours, of course; but if you choose to be GMO-free, please support legislation in your state! Currently there is legislation for GMO labeling laws in 23 states, and a federal bill on the table as well.
GMOs are a food issue, a farming issue and an environmental issue. They are a political issue, and a right to know issue. We all care about these issues and they’re important.
But your health should be the first concern.
