The Non-GMO Project Info

    GMOs are Genetically Modified Organisms that pertain to plants and organisms such as animals, bacteria, and fungi.  Insulin is a medicine that comes from a genetically modified source used to treat diabetes, which affects around 23% of the United States population.  Modifying DNA has been around as we breed certain fruits and vegetables together, farm animals, and our pets. Genetically modified animals are used for laboratory research to study their health and if certain diseases arise from the modified DNA. GMOs are being sprayed and injected into our products, and meat production, which we are ingesting into our bodies.   Only a few GMO plants are allowed for human consumption.  GMOs form by inserting genes into individual cells inside a lab.  First, select a desirable characteristic of a plant or animal. Next, isolate the corresponding genetic code. Then, cut or remove the chromosome that contains the selected genetic code.  Finally, insert the material into seeds/eggs so that the material can grow with the selected traits and characteristics.

     Pesticides are chemicals that prevent and eliminate the occurrence of specific pest populations such as insects, rodents, fungi, weeds, and other animals considered pests.  However, pesticides have a negative impact on our environment because they do not reach the targeted pest, pesticides are applied over large tracts of land and carried away by wind and water runoff.  Once pesticides travel to other areas, they impact a number of plants and animal species.  When they are applied to crops, they cause biodiversity loss in soil.  This means that the earth has a lower quality and is less fertile, and it removes organic matter.  When organic matter is removed, pesticides continue to build up in the soil, which leads to a decrease in plant growth because soil depends on fertilizer and organic matter to grow plants.  Pesticides pollute water because they are washed into nearby streams and rivers, which contaminates rain and groundwater sources.  Pesticides also pollute the air through pesticide drift, which occurs when pesticides are sprayed on crops and carried off by the wind before reaching the plants or when it goes through volatilization which prevents the pesticides from being absorbed into the ground.   It is introduced to human and animal respiratory systems.  Pesticides also emit volatile organic compounds that react with other chemicals in the atmosphere and create tropospheric ozone, which affects how long methane and other hydrocarbons remain in the atmosphere.  Pesticide use impacts plants and animals because they reduce nitrogen fixation required for proper plant growth.  Reduction in nitrogen fixation leads to a decrease in crop yields such as legume-type plants. Wildlife is affected by pesticides because animals ingest pesticides after eating food that is filled with chemicals. Pesticides reduce food sources from other plants in the ecosystem, which causes animals to leave their territory to search for food or die.  

      The Non-GMO project considers livestock, apiculture, and aquaculture at high risk because it impacts animal-derived products such as eggs, milk, meat, honey, and seafood.  GMOs enter into food in the form of processed crop derivatives and inputs derived from other genetic engineering, such as synthetic biology.  Synthetic biology includes hydrolyzed vegetable proteins, corn syrup, molasses, sucrose, textured vegetable protein, flavorings, vitamins, yeast products, flavors, proteins, sweeteners, microbes, enzymes, oils, and fats. GMO foods harm human and animal health, have toxicological effects, change, nutritional value, and transfer antibiotic resistance.  They also have less nutritional value.