GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism, an organism in which part of its makeup has been altered through genetic engineering or manipulation of an organism’s DNA in a laboratory setting. But like anything else, GMOs have their pros and cons. 

Pros of GMOs

Concerning the food we eat, this process enhances crops to make them more desirable to the customer and more cost-effective, in general, to grow.

These crops are generally resistant to cold weather or pests, have a larger yield, need less attention, and have a more pleasing appearance (larger, brighter) for increased sales.

Cons of GMOs

We are far from understanding the truth about the safety and/or dangers of consuming GMOs. There is no question that much (MUCH) more 3rd party research needs to be done (currently much of the research is performed, or sponsored by Monsanto, the leading producer of genetically engineered seed). Many of these studies state that these foods are safe for human consumption. Many activists, health professionals, and others, rightly so, question the reliability of these studies. There are 30 countries in which bans or restrictions on the production of GMOs are in place because they are not considered safe for consumption. Currently, North America has adopted none of these policies.

What Foods Are More Likely To Be Genetically Modified?

It can be very challenging to stay up-to-date on all the commercial products that contain GMOs. According to the Non-GMO Project, the following are considered high-risk crops:

  •  Alfalfa
  •  Canola
  •  Corn
  •  Cotton
  •  Papaya
  •  Soy
  •  Sugar Beets
  •  Zucchini and Yellow Summer Squash

To add to this, most animal products (dairy, meat, eggs, honey) are high risk, simply because these animals feed on these high-risk crops.

Other crops to be careful of, include:

  •  Beta vulgaris (chard, table beets, etc.)
  •  Brassica napa (rutabaga, Siberian kale, etc.)
  •  Brassica rapa (bok choy, Chinese cabbage, turnip, rapini, etc.)
  •  Curcubita (acorn squash, etc.)
  •  Flax
  •  Rice
  •  Wheat

These crops are suspected or have known incidences of contamination with GMOs. or have genetically modified relatives with which cross-contamination is possible.

Tips To Eliminate GMOs From Your Diet

Trying to eliminate GMOs from your diet is extremely difficult, sometimes near impossible, because of their presence in most mass-produced foods. In North America, the government does not mandate labels for GMO food. Some companies are now voluntarily labelling their foods non-GMO to better educate the public about ‘safer’ options.

Final Insights & Considerations

For now, it is in the public’s best interest to educate themselves, to the best of their ability, on non-GMO foods and choose these whenever possible. The truth is, we don’t know that they are dangerous, or that they can be directly related to disease or health issues, but we also can’t say for sure that they are not. Until we know more about the long-term side effects of genetically engineered foods, it’s best to be cautious.