Genetically modified organisms (also called GE for genetic engineering), are plants or animals created through the gene splicing techniques of biotechnology. They take fish genes (DNA), for example, and inject them into the tomatos DNA.

Most modified foods have been grown to resist chemicals, pests or disease. Thats all fine in theory, but a growing body of evidence connects GMOs with health problems, environmental damage, and more.

Of course Monsanto and other biotech companies say GE foods are safe to eat. Promises of increased yields, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit have all proved false since they started doing this in the 1990s.

Most developed nations do not consider GMOs to be safe. In more than 50 countries around the world, including Australia, Japan, China, India and all of the European Union countries, there are significant restrictions or outright bans on the production and sale of GMOs. But here in the U.S., our government has approved GMOs based on studies conducted by the same corporations that created them and profit from their sale!

If theres no risk in eating products that contain GMOs then there should be no problem labeling them.

By supporting labeling, companies would say, Theres no risk, we have nothing to hide, says David Ropeik, creator and director of Improving Media Coverage of Risk.

We have the right to know how our food is grown. More people are realizing that the food they eat directly affects their health.

Vote YES for labeling of GMOs! Go to http://www.nongmoproject.org for more info.

TANYA OSTERSON

Coeur dAlene

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GMOs: Dont be confused