Gettin' Started

After getting to know a little bit more about our food system, I became quite concerned about the growing problem of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and now try to avoid them as much as I can. For those of you who aren't sure what genetically modified organisms are, here's a brief explanation taken from the Health and Safety Executive. Genetically modified foods have had the genetic material of an organism and basically injected into the cells of other organisms. This is an unnatural process that doesn't occur in nature and involves the removal of DNA, manipulation of that DNA, then the reinsertion back into that organism--"The aim of GM is often to introduce a new or altered characteristic to the target organism."

One of my favorite examples is the fish-tomato. Tomatoes were freezing in the cold temperatures, making them seasonal. GM tomatoes have had their DNA crossed with that of the winter flounder, giving them the ability to be grown all year round. 

Yumm......

Does this sound like something you want happening to your food? I know I certainly don't! What is even more disturbing to me and many other anti-GMO proponents is that the companies that are distributing genetically modified seeds are paying millions of dollars against the efforts towards mandating the labeling of GMO products. The Huffington Post reveals the donors towards the efforts against Prop 37, which would have mandated the labeling of GMO products in California and failed in the election:

"The Hershey Co., Nestlé USA and Mars Inc. - makers of such trick-or-treat favorites as Butterfinger, Kit Kat and Snickers bars - gave a combined $367,000 last month to oppose Proposition 37, which would require labeling of genetically modified foods. They are just a few of the major food and biotechnology companies that have poured more than $44 million into the fight against Prop. 37, according to campaign finance tracker MapLight.org."

...Meanwhile, proponents of the proposition were only able to raise $7.3 million.


So now that I have briefly introduced my concerns about the future of our food system thanks to GMOs, I will express the purpose of this blog! I am a senior at the University of Colorado in Boulder, and after living for almost 4 years in one of the healthiest cities in the country, I have made it my quest to see how difficult or how easy it will be to avoid buying GMOs. Hopefully I can help spread awareness while also giving options for the best places to shop without unknowingly buying GMO!