Food: GMO's (Genetically Modified Organism) Not So Appetizing, Eggs and Variety

Sometimes I find it hard to know what to post. There are so many facts and figures, perspectives, views, positives and negatives, false information and undoubtedly true information out there (especially on the internet). Seems silly that I can't think of anything when I am in classes that talk directly on environmental issues. I guess I am overwhelmed by how much i'm learning and realizing, especially about our food system. I question my authority too. I am not trying to tell people to live a certain way. All I want is awareness!

One thing that has really caught my eye this week is GMO's in our foods. I was looking at my egg carton today and saw that it was modified to contain Omega-3's. The old me would have been totally okay with that and thought it was great that I could get extra nutrients from my eggs. But the new me questions that entirely. Yes they provide extra nutritional benefits but at what cost. I know nothing about how they add the GMO's or if the chicken was harmed or abused in the process. I don't really like the idea of scientists modifying my food. I just want a good wholesome egg with the nutrients it naturally provides. So much of our food is manufactured, sometimes you just want an egg that came from a healthy, happy free-run chicken that wasn't harmed in the process. Morally, I just feel better. According to my Environmental Studies class (University of Victoria), "95% of egg-laying hens in the United States are confined in small cages. These cages often offer less space per hen than the area of a single sheet of notebook paper". Imagine living like that just for a moment... It truly breaks my heart.

In 2000, 25% of corn and 54% of soybeans that were grown in the United States were genetically modified.

In 2008, 80% of corn and 92% of soybeans grown in the United States were genetically modified. (US department of agriculture) 

The scariest figure of all -- 75% of food come from 12 varieties of plants and 5 animals. When I think of food, I think of all the possibilities, the abundance of variety in ingredients found all across the world. Yet, manufacturers are using varietations and modifications of certain (cheaply produced) foods in order to make profit at our expense (thats at least what I gather from my research and classes). 

Let this little chick run free :)