Want To Know The Deal With Genetically Modified Foods

GMOs are constantly being talked about in the media. They are supported by large food companies

New technology has allowed scientists to essentially insert favorable traits into foods, allowing them to have features that natural versions of that food wouldn't have. This could be something as simple as taking the gene from a food that is very resilient to cold weather, and inserting it into strawberries to allow them to have that same trait. Scientists usually use viruses or bacteria to insert these genes into the DNA. In plants for instance, many food producers insert genes that will make the plant resistant to viruses or insecticides. Advances such as these result in much more productive farms, which translates to cheaper costs and a larger food supply without waste. This in turn, is an incredibly useful tool for decreasing world hunger, as it allows more food to be produced with limited resources and in sometimes harsh climates.

Even though GMO plant-based foods are commonplace nowadays, animal based foods still have a long way to go. A Lot of work is being done on the development of animal GMO foods, but they have not been approved yet. Once the technology is more mature, it will allow farmers to have animals that produce more meat, faster, and are less susceptible to diseases. This will be especially attractive to those that are recently starting a fitness program, due to the fact that it will make protein sources like meat and chicken, which tend to be a bit on the pricier side, more affordable.

A major reason for the paranoia surrounding GMOs is the relative lack of transparency in data involving safety. According to reports there seems to be no evidence supporting bad side effects to their use. I try to eat clean before all my in home personal training sessions. The prevailing argument is that even though GMO foods are not harmful in smaller doses over a smaller timeframe, we have yet to see their long term and large scale effects.

Foods are generally labeled to indicate when they contain things such as nuts, artificial sweeteners, and certain allergens. What many are calling for is an extension of that, by adding labeling for foods that are GMO. It will make tracking trends easier and more accurate and will allow researchers to detect trends in certain foods. This will not hinder any process of using GMO technology to provide cheaper, more widely available food to all.