Project No 4

Instructions for this project: On my next visit to the grocery store, make a list of genetically altered foods that are on sale for public consumption.

WHY GENETICALLY ALTERED FOODS ?

Our world’s population is now 6.8 billion and it has been estimated that this amount will double in less than 40 years!
A vast increase in population took place when farming and agriculture was discovered.
When sailing began, this also opened up a new trend of business which stirred continental economies, therefore stimulating further growth in population and settlement.

As the centuries passed by, the increase in demand for natural resources and food supply have resulted in poverty, starvation, destitution and degradation of the environment.

Because of this, biotechnology and the genetic engineering of foods have taken place. Biotechnology is a conventional technique where microbial enzymes are used for the careful selection of certain food plants and animals so that a quality selection of food, animals and microorganisms can be produced.

Genetically engineered (GE) foods is the modification or in some cases disturbance of genetic blueprints of living life forms which are patented in the form of seeds or other products and then sold by transnational “life science” corporations for profit.

Life science corporations have claimed that this new trend of product will eradicate world hunger, stabilize agriculture practices and improve health.
However it has been discovered that GE products have been the source of problems such as the containment of toxins and poisons, increase in the risk of cancer, food allergies, antibiotic resistance, increase in pesticide residue, genetic pollution, damage to beneficial insects / soil fertility, formation of GE superweeds / superpests and health problems in living organisms that are given growth hormones.

Upon gathering my list of genetically altered foods, undoubtedly I found an astonishingly long list of GE produce that can be found in our local grocery stores. They are as follows:

• Bravos Tortilla Chips
• Kellogg's Corn Flakes
• General Mills Total Corn Flakes Cereal
• Post Blueberry Morning Cereal
• Frito-Lay Fritos Corn Chips
• Old El Paso Taco Shells
• Quick Loaf Bread Mix
• Heinz 2 Baby Cereal
• Ovaltine Malt Powdered Beverage Mix
• Similac Isomil Soy Formula
• Nestle Carnation Alsoy Infant Formula
• Green Giant Harvest Burgers (now called Morningstar Farms)
• Quaker Chewy Granola Bars
• Enfamil ProSobee Soy Formula
• Nabisco Snackwell's Granola Bars
• Ball Park Franks
• Ultra Slim Fast
• Quaker Yellow Corn Meal
• Light Life Gimme Lean
• Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix
• Alpo Dry Pet Food
• Duncan Hines Cake Mix
• Morning Star Farms Better'n Burgers
• Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
• Gardenburger
• Boca Burger Chef Max's Favorite
• Betty Crocker Bac-Os Bacon Flavor Bits



The whole food list included:

• Salmon
• Tilapia
• Trout
• Canola
• Corn
• Papaya
• Chicory
• Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Soybeans
• Carrots

Upon further research it has been discovered that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require labels for genetically altered foods neither do they require food safety testing !
To make matters even more concerning, there are no laws in place where life science corporations must notify the FDA of any genetically altered products that are being placed on the market for sale.

In other countries such as Europe, China, Australia, Japan and New Zealand, these rules apply, however in the United States these corporations do not want labels on their products as it will clearly stir concerns and questioning which will in turn impact their profit margins.

Please view the attached YOUTUBE video for more insight.

GENETICALLY MODIFIED GM POISON FOOD (Elect Ron Paul)


In conclusion, it is understandable why people are concerned about the impact that GE products are having on our environment, health and well-being.
I feel that our leaders should take responsibility and hold corporations accountable for the labeling of GE products that are being brought into the market, rather than subjecting consumers to potential tragedies.


Bibliography:

Environmental Studies, Barry Barker, Second Edition

Referenced Websites:

http://www.fdrs.org/list_of_genetically_modified_food.html
http://www.globalissues.org/issue/188/genetically-engineered-food
http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/genetics/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/search/?type=news&keyword=list+genetic+altered+foods§ion=all&period=365
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_food

Picture and YouTube References:

http://www.almostvegan.com/archives/images/chick.n-sml.gif
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http://www.britishfooddirect.com/images/344-348-oldp-taco.jpg
http://graphics.samsclub.com/images/products/0005450010099_LG.jpg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5183TZRF7TL._SL500_.jpg
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http://images.plumgoodfood.com/images/Kristin/mainstream/lg/268.jpg
http://images.plumgoodfood.com/images/Kristin/mainstream/lg/268.jpg
http://www.mygroceryshop.com.au/images/heinz%20custard%20banana.jpg
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/00592/news-graphics-2005-_592807a.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9SywTI3jsI
http://www.almostvegan.com/archives/images/bocaburgers.gif
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/211Uh3hpXSL._SL160_SS160_.jpg
http://www.taquitos.net/im/sn/Bravos.jpg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51R3KOwYqxL._SL500_AA280_PIbundle-12,TopRight,0,0_AA280_SH20_.jpg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51CF7M5QEHL._SL500_AA280_PIbundle-6,TopRight,0,0_AA280_SH20_.jpg
http://www.wilbraham.com/shop/zg041.jpg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Iar8tZalL._SL500_AA280_PIbundle-6,TopRight,0,0_AA280_SH20_.jpg
http://www.insurancebroadcasting.com/021307-p4.jpg
http://www.calm-your-screaming-baby.com/image-files/infant-formula-for-colic-carnation-alsoy.jpg
http://gourmeton.com/vegetable-dishes/morningstarfarms-aq.jpg
http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pPETS-3762015t400.jpg
http://www.semioticsoffood.com/images/auntjemina_03.jpg