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8 Reasons GMOs Are Bad For You

Do You Keep Your Mask On To Eat This Food?

I figured that I've covered the GMO protesting in Hawaii enough, that really I should explain why GMOs are so bad for us.  

I can still remember a time when I scoffed at the idea, about 10 years ago when friends of mine were going organic and it just seemed so silly and overdone.  

Now, I can see clearly what many have been talking about and WHY many are trying their hand at growing their own food even if it means urban gardens in their front yard.

8 Reasons GMOs Are Bad For You 

Written by Shilo Urban 

Genetically modified organisms or GMOs, are created when a gene from one species is transferred to another, creating something that would not be found in nature.

A large percentage of domestic crops (up to 85% of soybean yields) have DNA that was tweaked in a lab, yet it is nearly impossible to know which food items contain these genetically engineered ingredients. Thankfully new mobile phone apps are making it a bit easier for the consumer to know what she is eating, but this is not enough.

GMOs are bad for your body, bad for the community, bad for farmers and bad for the environment. This is why:

1. The health consequences of eating genetically modified organisms are largely unknown. Genetically engineered foods have not been shown to be safe to eat and may have unpredictable consequences. When trans-fats were first introduced, corporations battled to get them onto your grocery shelves – and it is only decades later that this once novel food has been proven to be extremely unhealthful. Many scientists are worried that the genetically altered foods, once consumed, may pass on their mutant genes to bacterium in the digestive system, just like the canola plants on the roadsides of North Dakota. How these new strains of bacteria may affect our body systems’ balance is anybody’s guess.
2. Food items that contain GMOs are unlabeled in America. Why so sneaky? The European Union has banned GMOs, as have Australia, Japan, the UK and two dozen other countries that recognize that a lack of long term studies and testing may be hiding disastrous health defects.
3. Genetic engineering reduces genetic diversity. When genes are more diverse, they are more robust; this is why a pure bred dog tends to have greater health problems than the dear old mutt. Plants with reduced genetic diversity cannot handle drought, fungus invasions or insects nearly as well as natural plants, which could have dire consequences for farmers and communities dependent on GMO crops for survival.
4. Once the mutant genes are out of the bag, there is no going back.Genetically modified organisms contaminate existing seeds with their altered material, passing on modified traits to non-target species. This creates a new strain of plant that was never intended in the laboratory. In North Dakota, recent studies show that 80% of wild canola plants tested contained at least one transgene. In Japan, a modified bacteria created a new amino acid not found in nature; it was used in protein drinks and before it was recalled it cause severe mental and metabolic damage to hundreds as well as several deaths. Japan banned GMOs after this horrific experience. Monarch butterflies have also died after their favorite food, milkweed, was cross-pollinated from Bt corn which rendered it toxic to the endangered species.
5. GMOs are not the answer for global food security. Genetically engineered crops have shown no increase in yield and no decrease in pesticide use. In many cases other farm technology has proven much more successful, and even Monsanto agrees that its genetically engineered crops yield less than conventional farming.
6. Genetically engineered foods have not been proven to be safe, but the few studies conducted don’t look so hot. The organs of rats who ate genetically modified potatoes showed signs of chronic wasting, and female rates fed a diet of herbicide-resistant soybeans gave birth to stunted and sterile pups.
7. Big biotech firms have very sketchy track records, but then again what would you expect from organizations who want to patent the world’s food supply? These massive biotech companies have a history of toxic contamination, deceiving the public and suing small farmers when their patented seeds blew across the fence. Biotech firms sell sterile seeds to African farmers- meaning the seeds are only good for one season, because the plants that grow up will not be able to reproduce. Farmers must buy new seeds every year instead of growing from the previous year’s yield. GMOs are not the farmers’ friend.
8. GMOs require massive amounts of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. These things are poisons, and should not be eaten or allowed to run off into our water supply. But they are, every day, by companies who care far more about the bottom line than they do about your health, your environment or your children’s future.

The bottom line is that genetically modified organisms have not been proven in any way to be safe, and most of the studies are actually leaning the other direction, which is why many of the world’s countries have banned these items whose DNA has been genetically engineered. In America, they aren't even labeled, much less banned, so the majority of the populace has no idea that they are eating lab-created DNA on a daily basis.

Now you do; your best defense is to purchase certified organic food, which cannot contain any GMOs, and to tell your friends and loved ones to do the same. http://bit.ly/UPueBG 

Illusion of Choice

                         DON'T LET THE ILLUSION OF CHOICE, SHUT YOUR EYES!

MUST HEAR MUSIC: Xavier Rudd

I'd also like to feature Australian artist, Xavier Rudd who you may have seen during a guest appearance with Medicine for the People at the Byron Spirit Festival, in my last post.

"A multi-instrumentalist, world class surfer, animal rights activist and nature conservationist, Rudd’s widespread appeal transcends genres and categories, creating an atmosphere that Aquarian Weekly describes as “easy, feel-good listening that musically keeps you interested for its entirety.” His legendary live performances replete with his indigenous didgeridoos, has been hailed by About.com as a communal dance party that “takes almost no time for the crowd to start its bouncing, twirling, and all-out dancing.” 

Please enjoy the amazing didgeridoo groove in this song, "Lioness Eye."  Drumming is hard enough let alone playing several instruments and singing.

Xavier Rudd, is multi-talented.  Check out this acoustic version of his song "Bow Down." This was recorded by OurVinyl.com during the Texas leg of the "Spirit Bird" world tour.

As always, please support by "liking" Xavier Rudd's facebook page

You can find Xavier Rudd's 2012 album "Spirit Bird" here
and his official website here which includes all touring and show dates.

22 Non-GMO Companies to Support for Healthier Living

Rather than posting a picture of all the companies to avoid, I thought this is far more positive and helpful.  Here are 22 NON-GMO Companies. Support and live healthier!

CLICK TO MAKE LARGER

For further information on verified non-GMO products, food and restaurants, check out:
www.nongmoproject.org/
Working together to ensure the sustained availability of non-GMO food and products.

MUST WATCH FILM: Stop Monsanto From Poisoning Hawai'i: Genetic Engineering Chemical Warfare

"For over 20 years, Hawai'i has been the global center for the open-field testing of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's), including pharmaceutical crops. Over 5,000 experimental tests have been conducted by Monsanto, Dow, Dupont/Pioneer, Syngenta and BASF that spray chemicals on an almost daily basis on our most valuable lands. They are supported by tax-breaks, and beneficial relationships with landowners, regulators and politicians. We estimate GMO companies own or lease 40,000 -- 60,000 acres that are sprayed with over 70 different chemicals."

FILM: Stop Monsanto from Poisoning Hawai'i 

"A new vision for Hawai'i would promote small farms that grow chemical-free produce, employ our youth and restore the indigenous ahupua'a system. Hawai'i has less than 3,000 acres of certified organic farmland, which is 0.27% of Hawaiian farmland.

Kamehameha Schools is Hawaii's largest private landowner. Despite Kamehameha's public statements about sustainability and conservation, they lease substantial amounts of land to multi-national biotech firms, including Monsanto, Dow, Dupont/Pioneer and Syngenta for GMO open field tests and seed corn production.

Kamehameha is the only institution with the land, capital and resources to reduce our food imports, that are now over 90%, and ensure that Hawai'i does not run out of food in case of natural disasters or rising oil prices."


Look out for Hawai'i GMO Justice Coalition's next film!
Film Trailer: The Legend of Surfing: Kelly Slater | Living an Organic Life

Marching Monsanto, Hawaii

Yesterday, March 9, 2013: Somewhere near 3,000 people took to the streets of Kaua'i uniting to eradicate GMO chemical poisoners in Hawai'i.  Many signs reflecting this message "Monsanto, Syngenta & Dupont Pioneer, your days poisoning our sacred land are numbered, leave now."  Leader and local athlete, Dustin Barca, has organized a march every weekend in the month of March to reveal the damage that these chemicals are causing to the land, water and people of Hawaii in addition to those consuming the resulting products produced by these companies.  Hawaii GMO Justice Coalition 

Saturday, March 9, 2013 - Kaua'i

Dustin Barca and Family

 

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Today, March 10, 2013 at 10:35am: Monsanto corn field near Manilla Camp and Kaunakakai stream. THIS is why they march: Chemical polluted water run-off from Monsanto's field diverts into public highway and into Kaunakakai stream which flows into our ocean. 

Source, Hawaiiloa Mowat, says that this is an open testing field "Are we the lab rats?!!!? Is our Aina a laboratory?!!? And when our resources are depleted and made toxic what are we to do then? Stand up Aloha Aina Warriors!!!!"

Remember, we're all of one earth! Although you may not be in Hawaii (I'm in Seattle for example) their ocean is MY ocean.  Their ocean, is YOUR ocean.  Your support is needed.  Don't let these corporations continue to poison us and future generations.  Tell the government this is unacceptable.

MUST WATCH FILM: Graffiti Artists Vs. GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms)

Featuring artist MEAR ONE, who was introduced in a previous post, along with other graffiti artists in California (Vyal One, Werc, Griffin One, and Ernest Doty) standing against GMOs using their talent. Very informative and impressive video.

"We're literally just a science experience for them.  They're like, well, we're not really sure what it [GMOs] does so lets just feed it to them and make a few million dollars and in the end we'll figure out what works and what doesn't.  In the end they've already made their money."

Short Film: Graffiti Artists vs. GMOs

"Some of California's dopest graffiti artists -- Mear One, Vyal One, Werc, Griffin One, and Ernest Doty -- have created high-impact murals to raise awareness for the labeling of Genetically Modified" 

Facebook pages of featured artists:
(As always "like" to support!) 

• Mear One
• Vyal One
• Werc
• Griffin One
• Ernest Doty 

MUST SEE ARTIST: MEAR ONE

I came across artist MEAR ONE today.  Definitely someone to check out as his political graffiti and talent give much to think about.  Check out his facebook here to keep following.

"I am a story teller, a thinker and I use paint to express my thoughts first and foremost. I am a sculptor, a writer, and a lover of the experience that blesses us all as a gift, life." - MEAR ONE 

Back of a restaurant called "The Wood" in Culver City, CA

Fueled by Greed

Rise Up Humanity

Beware! America is dying to kill you, or get paid for every step you take

Lesser of Two Evils

 As this is a rather ambiguous painting, I'm including some of the posts from facebook that MEAR ONE posted himself to shed some light on his expression.  There were a lot of posts with many different interpretations as you might imagine. 

"I have an intention but I find your take[s] more intreaging. To get it you have to look deep into the language of art and symbolism. Enjoy and see what you will." 

"I'm talking about the corporate face that is a mask, everyone wears it at one point or another, metaphor." 

"So I believe the trick or the mystery behind door number 2 is the man behind the curtain. I like Obama but I recognize he is a puppet of a broken system. A two partied system. Democracy... sure more like NDAA. Wake up." 

"The meaning is how external forces play at a persons will till they are just a mask for what goes on behind the scenes."

"Revolution," 2012

Lastly, in dedication to his mother and women alike, he tributes this painting "Revolution" for International Women's Day (last Friday) and asks that his fans share this as their facebook profile picture in honor and celebration all month long.

"Join me today and all month long in celebrating the working rights, indeed human rights, of women everywhere by sharing "Revolution" as your new facebook profile picture."  

"Today, being International Women's Day, I am honoring the struggles my mother, and countless women around the world and throughout history have endured. I honor their greatness, beauty, and intelligence, paying them the respect that all human beings inherently deserve with my 2012 silk screen, 'Revolution.'"

You can find MEAR ONE'S facebook page here. 

As always,"like" him in support and keep following.