A case against genectic modification

A case against genectic modification: "A typical kitchen in Delta probably has more genetically modified (GM) foods than you may think. With over 30,000 different products on our local grocery store's shelves, you would be hard-pressed to open a cupboard and not find something made from a GM plant.

What exactly is a GM food? A GM food has had its DNA altered by the insertion of foreign genes from a plant, animal, viral or bacterial source. If you are familiar with the 'cut' and 'paste' options on your computer, think of GM foods as having one organism 'cut out' and another 'pasted' in its place.

For example, corn is being modified throughout North America -- via the insertion of a soil bacterium -- to self-produce a pesticide that makes the corn less vulnerable to insect damage. Less damage equals greater production of crops, which in turn equals more corn on the market for the consumer.

Sounds great, doesn't it? However, it really isn't that simple. While some people believe GM foods are the answer to the world's food shortages, others believe they pose a danger to an unsuspecting public.

Consumer groups and scientists have expressed a number of concerns about GM foods, including their unknown long-term health risks, the possible creation of new allergens, superweeds and superbugs, and the potential for gene pollution and antibiotic resistance."