A few facts about GMOs:
- A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered to include a new gene or set of genes. An example is a transgenic organism, an organism that has received DNA from a different species (one example: cows that have been engineered to produce human breast milk.) Transgenic animals have been used in medical experiments, but they were not approved for human consumption until recently.
- Many countries around the world have already banned GMOs due to lack of testing and long term studies of human health.
- Most studies of GMOs suggest that the ill effects are more pronounced in the second and third generations of GMO-consumers, meaning we simply haven’t had time to conduct thorough studies yet on humans.
- Currently, American food manufacturers are not required to disclose to the public when they use GMOs — which means there is no way to know whether you are eating genetically-modified plants or animals.
If you’re not familiar with genetically modified food, take a look at this corn or this salmon, and read this.
GMOs are a relatively new part of the human diet so the evidence against them is still mounting. Despite evidence that GMOs could be harmful to humans, the Food and Drug Administration and the FDA went ahead and approved GMOs — without labeling — for human consumption. Do you think the lobbyists at Monsanto (producer of most of the world’s genetically modified crops) had anything to do with it?
Until now, food giants like Monsanto have managed to crush all initiatives to label GMOs so that they never made it to the ballot. But Americans finally have a chance to vote for labeling.
Want to take action without spending a penny?
On November 6, 2012, if you are a California resident, you have the power to change the course of the obesity epidemic. Support the California Right To Know Genetically Engineered Food Act. Vote for the right to know what you eat. Vote Yes on Prop 37.
Wellness and Equality supports Prop 37. You can watch this short video to learn about some of the implications that reach far beyond your plate:
Here is a video from the group behind the ballot initiative:
