BY LINDA C. REDMAN
For the Auburn Reporter
Did you know that more than 60 percent of the food in a supermarket in this country contains cancer-causing genetically engineered ingredients masquerading as “food.”
If these products – corn, soy, sugar, cotton/cottonseed oil, canola oil and papaya—are not labeled “organic,” then they are probably genetically engineered. Pay attention and try to buy these as real foods with the “organic” label. A food cannot be labeled organic if it contains “Genetically Modified Organisms,” or GMOs. Really, it is safest to only eat organic food and medicine these days as a primary form of health insurance.
GMOs have been called “frankenfoods” because scientist have put genes from insect-repelling bacteria into corn and insecticide-tolerant genes into soy. The soy can then be sprayed with extra amounts of roundup a toxic chemical. So it is not great for the environment either.
GMOs have been shown to promote abnormal cell growth in intestines, cause allergic reactions, and severely stunt the growth of second-generation rats – to name only a few of the adverse effects.
Pictures on pages 22 and 48 of the book, “Genetic Roulette”, by Jeffrey M. Smith, available at the Auburn Library and the Auburn School District Superintendent’s office show the abnormal cell growth and the stunted growth. These pictures were released to the public through the media in Europe after public hearings. And that is what caused Europe to mostly ban these ingredients from its food supplies.
Smith has a Web site, www.responsibletechnology.org, YouTube video speeches.
Also, many manufactured medicines, including some that appear to be “natural”, can have hidden, genetically-engineered ingredients that have severely disabled and even killed many people. Try to get these “GMO-free.”
Cows, geese and deer have been observed completely avoiding GMO versions of a food to eat the non-GMO version nearby.
If only 5 percent of consumers consciously avoid dangerous genetically-engineered ingredients, it is viewed as a “trend” and “industry” adjusts quickly to meet our desires. This is how small numbers of informed shoppers can lead our food industry towards healthier products for all our neighbors.
If you would like to see Auburn become a GMO-free zone, please let the City Council know your opinion on this. Let anyone running for public office know your opinion on this, and vote for the ones who you feel will represent you. You also can write me if you want my vote on this issue.
If you are currently having any digestive distress, you can get a good food allergy test to see what foods you might need to rotate or avoid at Meridian Valley Lab in Renton. You can walk in anytime without a doctor’s order, and it costs about $137. A company named “Spud!” will deliver regionally-produced organic groceries to your door for no extra delivery cost. Their number is 1-877-632-3424.
Eco-village, South King County ‘meet-up’
Persons interested in meeting who like the idea of learning more about the concept and possibly being involved in creating an ecological village in the South King County region are invited to meet next to the play area of Les Gove Park, 11th and Auburn Way South, on the first and third Sundays at 3 p.m.
Auburn resident Linda C. Redman holds a B.A. in Peace and Global Studies from Earlham College. She offers affordable Wellness and Win/Win Conflict Resolution Services. For appointments call 253-486-8088. Her Web site is: www.eco-peacevision.us
