[Sca-cooks] GMO

[lilinah at earthlink.net]

A simple web search would show that GMO, in relation to food, stands 
for "Genetically Modified Organism". If one buys certain types of 
products (especially those containing soy or soy-derived 
ingredients), the packaging may say that it contains only non-GMO 
(food stuff). To the best of my knowledge the most commonly 
genetically modified foodstuffs (with genes not from the original 
organism) are soy, canola, and corn - there are others.

Some folks argue that selective breeding is a form of genetic 
modification, which it is, but that is not what GMO means these days. 
GMO food plants have genetic material from very different organisms 
than the original, whereas selective breeding just involves varieties 
of the specific organism.

GMO soy, canola, and corn, if i recall correctly, are genetically 
modified to be "Round-Up ready" (Round-Up being a very specific 
pesticide) - there may be other differences i don't remember - and 
well over 50 per cent of soy, canola, and corn grown in the US are 
genetically modified and they are in the food supply. Genetically 
modified foods do not have to be so labeled in the USA.

This may or may not make a difference to people. I was only reporting 
what was on the SoyNut Butter label. I bought the product in a 
regular supermarket.

Whether or not GMOs are good or neutral or evil is not an argument 
that can be easily resolved at this time. Many people have strong 
feelings one way or another and the "discussion" of GMOs usually 
turns into a flame war from all sides.

I would rather debate the merits of Twinkies or Lime Jello 
Marshmallow Cottage Cheese Surprise or Lutheran Binder on this list - 
topics about which we can retain our senses of humor - and leave 
arguing about GMOs to other lists.

Anahita