GMO: What Is The Truth

 We've all heard the rumors about GMO, or genetically modified organisms, and how they affect the diet of every American. But what exactly is GMO, why is it important and what are the implications with regard to health? Dr. Donohue will explain all these questions to you so you can make more informed decisions.

- What is GMO?
GMO means Genetically Modified Organisms. Genetically Modified Organisms are plants or animals created through gene splicing techniques of biotechnology. This "experimental technology merges DNA from different species, creating unstable combinations of plants, animal, bacterial and viral genes that cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding." 

- What should I look for?
High-Risk Crops include:
 - Alfalfa
 - Canola (~90% of US crop)
 - Corn (~88% of US crop)
 - Cotton (~90% US crop)
 - Papaya (most of Hawaiian crop)
 - Soy (~94% of US crop)
 - Sugar Beets (~95% of US crop)
 - Zucchini & Yellow Squash (~25,000 acres)

- Are your kids eating genetically modified foods?
According to the Non-GMO Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to revealing the truths about GMOs, "many of the foods that are most popular with children contain GMOs...cereals, snack bars, snack boxes, cookies, processed lunch meats and crackers all contain large amounts of high risk food ingredients. In North America, over 80% of our food contains GMOs." 

- What If I buy only organic?
Unfortunately, "organic certification does not require GMO testing."

- What are the most common GMO's?
The most common GMOs are soy, cotton, canola, corn, sugar beets, Hawaiian papaya, alfalfa and squash. They can also be hidden in "common processed food ingredients such as: Amino Acids, Aspartame, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Ascorbate, Vitamin C, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Flavorings, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Lactic Acid" and many more.

For more information on GMO, please refer to the website, www.nongmoproject.org.