GMO Facts

What are GMOs? GMOs (or “genetically modified organisms”) are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering, or GE. This relatively new science creates unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacteria and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods. Virtually all commercial GMOs are engineered to withstand direct application of herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide. Despite biotech industry promises, none of the GMO traits currently on the market offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit. Meanwhile, a growing body of evidence connects GMOs with health problems, environmental damage and violation of farmers’ and consumers’ rights. Are GMOs safe? Are GMOs labeled? Where does the Non-GMO Project come in? Do Americans want non-GMO foods and supplements? How common are GMOs? What are the impacts of GMOs on the environment?

Teen activist Rachel Parent set to debate health minister on GMO labelling An Ontario teenager who held her own in a debate with CBC’s Kevin O’Leary about GMO labelling will have her voice heard in Ottawa. Rachel Parent, 15, will meet with Health Minister Rona Ambrose later this month to discuss her goal of having all genetically modified foods clearly identified. "It’s super exciting," Parent told Yahoo Canada News in an interview last week. "I want to talk to her about GMOs not being proven safe and that we need long-term, independent studies to determine their safety. "And finally, I’d really like to talk to her about the fact that until it’s proven safe, we should at least label them so we have the freedom to choose [what we eat]." Genetically modified organisms are crops or animals that have had their genes altered with DNA from different living species, so that they become resistant to disease or tolerant of pesticides. According to a U.S. Parent and other opponents argue that the technology hasn't been proven to be safe and therefore should be labelled.

Meet Rachel Parent — the teen fighting for GMO labelling in Canada Watch: Rachel Parent is a 15-year-old activist. Her goal: mandatory labelling in Canada of all genetically modified organisms, or GMOs that are found as ingredients in food. Allison Vuchnich has part one of a four-part series on GMOs and labelling. UPDATE: Rachel Parent has met with Health Minister Rona Ambrose. Standing in the grocery store aisle surrounded by processed and packaged food, examining ingredients and scanning labels: this is shopping with Rachel Parent, and it is a thorough process. “About 70 per cent of the (processed) food on all our grocery store shelves is genetically modified or has GMO ingredients in it,” Parent told Global News as she reached for a container of relish and examined its ingredient list. So for instance, glucose fructose is a derivative from corn and it’s high-fructose corn syrup basically, so there really is a 90 per cent chance that it is GMO,” she said. “Of course, I would never know unless it was labelled.” Parent is a 15-year-old activist.