'Tis well into the season for planning gardens and drooling over seed catalogs. I would like to point something out to you in case you didn't already know. While you're seed-shopping, you may want to keep your eyes open for something called the "Safe Seed Pledge". It is a pledge that some seed companies take to let you know that they do not support, nor sell GMO seeds. This stands for "genetically modified organisms". And that is what they are: seeds with organisms that have been genetically modified or added in by scientists. Some people think this is great, and that they produce stronger and more productive plants with the ability to feed more people per acre. Some people are quite adamant against GMOs - in more reasons than one.
Reasons include (but aren't limited to):
Reasons include (but aren't limited to):
- Lack of testing GMOs' safety before release
- Self-destructing seeds (the seed grows one plant, but any seeds you save are sterile and will never produce)
- Potential health hazards
- Monsanto (a mega creator of GMO seeds) sues any farms who save non-GMO seeds when Monsanto's GMO seeds cross-pollinate with the farmers' non-GMO seeds
- Cross-pollination ruining heirloom (and open-pollinated) crops owned by seed-savers
- Lower nutrient levels in GMO crops
- Recent rumor that GMO produce alters DNA in the body (because DNA is altered/added in GMO products)
- Common use of toxic chemicals to control weeds and other pests for GMO seeds
- Common use of toxic chemicals to control weeds and other pests for GMO seeds
These are some common reasons why people like to avoid GMOs. I won't hide my opinion. Personally these reasons are plenty enough for me to run the other way. God gave me this body and I intend to try to honor it and take good care of it. How can I know these things and then look the other way, knowing that I'm hurting this vessel that God created for His glory? And besides this reason, it's also obvious that I would like to take care of my body so I can feel healthy and not droggy.
So all this aside, it is now your turn to make your own decision. If you want to know more about GMOs, do a search for it online, or watch "Food Inc" or "The Future of Food". They are both interesting and great documentaries - not at all boring in my opinion. Note that they are both anti-GMO documentaries.
If you so choose and need a point in the right direction, my favorite seed company for GMO-free, chemical-free seeds is Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. From what I can recall they haven't "signed" the safe seed pledge, but they still sell great seed without having to sign a pledge to prove it. I LOVE their stuff! A second favorite is Seed Savers Exchange. I'm sure there are others out there too, but these are my go-to companies that I really like.
It's time to do your research and make your choice! What do you think about GMO seeds?
So all this aside, it is now your turn to make your own decision. If you want to know more about GMOs, do a search for it online, or watch "Food Inc" or "The Future of Food". They are both interesting and great documentaries - not at all boring in my opinion. Note that they are both anti-GMO documentaries.
If you so choose and need a point in the right direction, my favorite seed company for GMO-free, chemical-free seeds is Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. From what I can recall they haven't "signed" the safe seed pledge, but they still sell great seed without having to sign a pledge to prove it. I LOVE their stuff! A second favorite is Seed Savers Exchange. I'm sure there are others out there too, but these are my go-to companies that I really like.
It's time to do your research and make your choice! What do you think about GMO seeds?
This post has been linked to all these great blogs:
I bought mine from Botanical Interests at the recommendation of another blogger. This was a great post! Thanks for sharing at Healthy 2Day Wednesday; come back tomorrow and see if you were featured!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of that place. I'll have to give it a look. I'm glad you enjoyed this post!
DeleteI recently wrote two posts about gardening organically and staying away from GMO's. I whole heartily agree! Unfortunately I still don't always know what to look for.
ReplyDeleteThank you for making these points about GMO's! Such an interesting topic, one that I am STILL learning a lot about!!
Yes there is definitely alot to learn about GMOs and I don't know it all either (not even close!). And you're right, it CAN be quite tricky to know what we're looking for. The difference often isn't very easy to tell.
DeleteI try to totally stay away from hybrid plants, just because it's hard to know what ones are GMOs and what ones aren't.
Also sometimes food will advertise if it's GMO-free. For instance, we buy the Aunt Millie brand of bread often because a couple of their breads are GMO-free and high fructose corn syrup-free.
This is a great summation on GMOs! I wish more people cared about what is happening. Thanks for putting it out there. Would you consider linking this up on 'EOA' Wednesday either next week? This week's big reading hit has already finished so most will not be back until next week, or you can link it up several weeks running. Thank you, again!
ReplyDeleteSure! I would love to link it up and help spread the word. I'll leave myself a note to remember to do it on Wednesday or for a couple.
DeleteThanks for reading - I'm glad you're interested!