Is it even possible to have a non-GMO diet?

Culture, Media, General
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I think we all know that GMO (genetically modified organism) foods are basically part of all foods, whether that be fresh produce or process snacks. I learned a little bit about how technically for thousands of years foods are genetically modified and also how scientists now are doing genetic modification here https://discourse.medecio.com/t/are-gmo-foods-actually-bad-for-you/169?u=xgoldentofu

And there have been concerns for years about whether these types of foods could have negative side effects and there are organizations like the Non-GMO Project and USDA Organic that aim to help identify these, but GMO labeling isn’t required in the US. And lots of GMO produce is also used to feed livestock in addition to being offered as produce. So basically GMO foods are becoming increasingly a large part of American diets, is it even possible to avoid them?

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Welcome to the fourm.

Thankfully, we don’t really have GMO products in the food chain here in Europe. Nor cholorinated chicken. Nor beef pumped through with hormones.

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All farmed products are genetically modified. That’s part of what makes it farming, not hunting and gathering.

So no, unless you only eat wild food. At the supermarket, I think that probably leaves with you with some kinds of fish and some kinds of mushrooms.

If you’re talking about cross-species gene transfer - I suppose you could try. The question would be “Why?” There is absolutely no reason to think that this process is inherently harmful to consumer health.

“There have been concerns for years” is not a useful metric for whether something is worth paying attention to. There have been concerns for years that the moon landings were faked. Those concerns are wrong.

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Well, now you’ve gone and cast doubt on Room 237.

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Would like to talk about “organic” products here, and their perceived superiority and health benefits, but will look for an existing thread or create a new one. May not have a popular opinion concerning some, either.

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Happy to join that discussion wherever you start it up. I am someone who, for preference, buys organic fruit and veg and organic or free-range meat. I’ll not be claiming any health benefits (the animals excluded).

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Genetic modification is not per se bad. Gregor Mendel crossing strains of peas was genetic modification.

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Agree almost 100%, with the caveat that sometimes things like that have unintended consequences on larger scales @Auspicious.

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No argument. That doesn’t mean all GMO is bad. Much of it is good.

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No, I’m agreeing, it’s a real leap to think it’s all bad, when in fact it could solve many food issues planet-wide, reduce the need for pesticide, and other things. The more efficient crop growing also has positive environmental impacts. Think the anti-GMO movement is a bit misguided. My opinion only.

A related, but similar peeve of mine are friends/people who insist that natural remedies for whatever ails you are inherently better than Rx’s. My thinking is much different, and I did spend 12 years working in the Health/Medical Foods and Natural supplements industry. A lot of employees from the top down drank the kool aid. Which is a good thing, for business, to have the passion and conviction behind your company’s products.

My thinking is this: if it works for you, and your Doc is in the loop, fantastic! Even if you’re experiencing a placebo effect. But think how much turmeric, in reality you’d have to ingest for efficacy regarding inflammation. Cinnamon for diabetes, as well. I’m thrilled when I use what are thought to be healthful spices in cooking, or ingredients, however. Also, the supplement business is a multi billion dollar industry in the US, and many of those $$$ may be better spent on other therapies.

I think targeted pharmaceuticals with proven track records and low risk to people are more frequently much more efficacious, covered by insurance, and can in fact be safer than taking too much herbal product.

Also, to be considered is the fact that supplements don’t fall under the purview of the FDA (for what that’s worth, but it is something) except for labeling compliance.

And to complete this near dissertation, there’s no substitute for a well balanced diet, exercise, proper hydaration, social interactions, happiness, laughter and mental stimulation. A sense of purpose. Some of this is much easier said than done. As well, regular checks with your doc, and all screenings appropriate for your age. However, even healthy aging is a bit different, with the need for more meds in many cases.

Sorry for this long post that veered OT. Just needed to rant a bit. Sorry.
Please keep in mind, these are my opinions only, and I’m certainly no expert at ANYTHING. Well, maybe laundry lol :joy_cat:

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I forgot how much I love that. MTV launched at pretty much the exact right time for me (as did Sesame Street - I should call my parents and congratulate them on their prescience) and I watched it for hours and hours on end. A few years later I read a beautiful essay about the channel - which I want to say was by Clement Greenberg, but I can find no evidence to support this - and how it was all about the lure of the what-comes-next. Don’t like this song? Wait three minutes, maybe you’ll like the next one.

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Clement Greenberg who promoted the Abstract Expressionism of Pollock, Frankenthaler, et al. ?

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Yep, the Avant-Garde and Kitsch guy. Somewhere I have a book of essays which contains the one I’m thinking of, but damned if I can remember where it is.

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Wow. Seems a lot of distance to cover to get from Rothko to ZZ Top.

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It does. I am way off, 'cause this is the book

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Culture-Critical-Clement-Greenberg/dp/0807066818#reader_0807066818

and it was published in 1961. Now I have no idea who wrote the damn MTV essay.

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How about eggs, @Harters? Are hens in Europe typically fed a GMO-free diet? Everyone I know who avoids GMO is surprised to learn how prevalent GMO is in animal feed. GMO-free feed is very expensive, per two egg local vendors I am personally acquainted with. Even many eggs marked cage-free or free-range are laid by hens fed a GMO diet. Organic eggs are so expensive because organic certifications require hens are fed a GMO-free diet. (However, local eggs from smaller farms often still taste better, even if they use GMO feed. I don’t know why that is.) I’m not pro-GMO, but not as anti- as I was in the past.

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I don’t know, I’m afraid. A quick look at our Food Standards Agency website indicates GM products are permitted in animal feed, so I would guess that they may not be. I know a lot of animal feed is imported from countries where GM is permitted.

That said, the vast majority of eggs sold direct to the public in the UK are organic or free range and I don’t think GMO is permitted in those circumstances. As for those sold into manufacturing, the eggs will overwhelming factory produced.

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The EU allowed GM in animal feed about 8 or 9 years ago. Milk and eggs don’t carry GM label so most people have no idea if these products are GM-free or otherwise.

What’s more frustrating is that apparently the regulations are not the same throughout the union. For example, there are exceptions concerning GM labelling in Germany:

https://www.produktqualitaet.com/en/food/gmo/gmo-free-labelling.html

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This article is dated 2015.

The government at that time was P.P. a center right whing under the former impeached Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy (for corruption).

It is five years later and we have a Socialist Government who is very concerned for the Enivronment and does not want GMO products on Spanish agricultural lands.