What are Genetically Modified (GM) Foods?
Largely between 1997 and 1999, gene-modified (GM) ingredients suddenly appeared in 2/3rds of all US processed foods. http://www.cqs.com/50harm.htm Although "biotechnology" and "genetic modification" commonly are used interchangeably, GM is a special set of technologies that alter the genetic makeup of such living organisms as animals, plants, or bacteria. Biotechnology, a more general term, refers to using living organisms or their components, such as enzymes, to make products that include wine, cheese, beer, and yogurt.
Combining genes from different organisms is known as recombinant DNA technology, and the resulting organism is said to be "genetically modified," "genetically engineered," or "transgenic." GM products (current or in the pipeline) include medicines and vaccines, foods and food ingredients, feeds, and fibers. http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml
The most common GM foods are corn, soy beans and tomatoes. Food items to avoid that are genetically modified are: baby formulas: Carnation Alsoy, Similac Neocar, Isomile and Enfamil Prosobee, Morningstar Farms Breakfast links and Morningstar Farms Better N’Burgers, Betty Crocker Bac-os bacon bits, Fritos, Tostitos Crispy Rounds and Doritos Nacho Cheesier. Bill Lambrecht, “U.S. Turns Spotlight on Genetic Engineering,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 30 May 1999.
Additional suggested reading on GMO foods:
Tina Ulatowski, MSW, “What Your Doctor Doesn’t Tell You, A Guide Between Nutrition and Disease, ISBN # 0-9761694-3-6, Copyright 2005
Martin Teitel, Ph.D., and Kimberly A. Wilson, “Genetically Engineered Food, Changing the Nature of Nature”, ISBN# 08928198-0, Copyright 2001.