Which Crops Are Genetically Modified?

Genetic modification is radically different from using plant breeding techniques to select out particular traits such as disease resistance. In genetic modification, genes from bacteria and viruses are introduced into plant cells in the laboratory and this process can cause significant collateral damage to the plant’s biochemistry, so much so that some animals can detect the changes and refuse to eat the genetically modified (GM) produce (1).

Which Crops Are Genetically Modified?

There are presently eight crops where some of the produce is GM and these are soybeans, corn, cottonseed, canola, sugar beet, Hawaiian papaya, yellow crookneck squash and zucchini. It is estimated that over 90% of the U.S. soybean crop is genetically modified. Bacterial genes are inserted that enable the soybeans to resist the weed killer Roundup. As a result, farmers can spray these crops heavily to destroy unwanted competition while the crop survives and thrives, albeit contaminated with herbicide. Approximately 68% of GM crops are herbicide tolerant.

Another 19% of GM crops have a gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) inserted that results in the production of Bt toxin, an insecticide. So the modified crops now produce their own insecticide. The remaining 13% of GM crops produce both an insecticide and are also herbicide tolerant.

So How Can We Avoid GM Foods?

1) Buy produce that is certified 100% organic.
2) Purchase produce labeled “Non-GMO” or “Made without Genetically Modified Ingredients.”
3) Avoid the high-risk crops; soybeans, corn, cottonseed, canola and sugar beet and products derived from them unless they specifically state that they are organic or non-GMO.
4) Purchase from vendors such as Trader Joe’s who guarantee that produce bearing their label is non-GMO.
5) Download the free Non-GMO Shopping Guide from http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/SG/DownloadtheGuide/index.cfm

Reference

1) Smith, J. M. (2009) Video: Everything You Have To Know About Dangerous Genetically Modified Foods. http://www.responsibletechnology.org/GMFree/Home/index.cfm

© Christopher J. Jones, M.Sc., Ph.D.