Podcast Interview Answer #6: Why are Natural Seeds so Precious versus GMO Seeds versus Phytonutrients?
When health is absent,
wisdom cannot reveal itself …. strength cannot fight, wealth becomes
useless and intelligence cannot be applied. Herophilus
What is inside Nature’s seed?
One of the best lesson plans that opened the eyes and minds
of my 8 year-old students was to discover what is inside a seed. We used bean
seeds for their medium size, soaked them in water for 3 days to swell and
soften. In short time, a small stub of a root with hairs poked its way through
one end. Carefully the seed would be opened to reveal the baby plant inside
curled up so pale with tiny, clearly outlined leaves getting ready to take the job
of growing up and producing a bean plant.
In fact, every seed from tiny poppy seeds to giant coconut
seeds have three essential parts:
- a seed coat which protects them while they grow and develop, starting underground
- a baby plant or embryo
- cotyledons which store the food (endosperm) the baby plants use to grow before they can use sunlight to produce their own food.
What is inside a a GMO seed?
A genetically modified seed has been genetically engineered in
a laboratory to create a combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and virus genes that do not occur in nature.
So how is a GMO seed made?
- shave off or chip off a tiny piece of the seed and grind it into a powder to analyze with genome-mapping technology
- Shoot the genes' DNA into the plant tissue to be modified by using "gene guns", literally a .22-caliber gun
- Create plant progenitor cells with the new DNA so when its planted and pollinated it can advance into the next generation
In my opinion, a problem can happen when the DNA of a
bacterium or fungi can be injected into the seed’s chromosomes to duplicate an
anti-herbicide genetic plant. Currently,
transgenic crops produce soybeans, alfalfa, corn, cotton, spring canola, sugar
beets and winter canola with GMO seeds that are modified to reduce pesticide
and herbicide use.
But what happens when we eat the products of these plants,
are we also ingesting genes from bacteria and fungi?
GMO is everywhere.
- Animal products from livestock, apiculture, and aquaculture are exposed because of genetically engineered ingredients that are common in animal feed which includes eggs, milk, meat, honey, and seafood.
- Processed food products may contain GMO derivatives like hydrolyzed vegetable protein, corn syrup, molasses, sucrose, flavorings, vitamins, yeast products, oils & fats, and other sweeteners.
- It is estimated that more than 80% of all genetically modified crops grown worldwide have herbicide tolerance against weedkillers like Roundup. The herbicide glyphosate (the key ingredient in Roundup) “can probably cause cancer in humans ( World Health Organization, March 2015)
- Genetically modified crops also produced resistant “super-weeds” and “super-bugs,” which can only be killed with ever more toxic poisons such as 2,4-D (a major ingredient in Agent Orange). Soil fertility may be affected with less micro-nutrients and bees may be poisoned by toxins on flowers … the seriousness of which cannot be overstated. Once released into the environment, these novel organisms cannot be recalled.
There are many reports that despite biotech industry
promises, there is no evidence that any of the GMOs currently on the market
offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other
consumer benefit. As well, the public needs to demand continuing research to
study the long-term effects of synthetic nutrient absorption on human organs
and biology dating back to the origins of Homo Sapiens.
What are Nature's Phytonutrients?
A few years ago, I completed two-year online program as a
Certified Nutritional Supplement Distributor with the International Institute
for Clinical Nutrition. It was my first
introduction to phytonutrients which changed my world.
Phytonutrients are natural compounds or chemicals found in plant foods
such as vegetables, fruit, whole grain products and legumes. These plant compounds
have beneficial effects working with other essential nutrients to promote good
health.
My mind was blown that any fruit or vegetable like an apple contains hundreds of phytochemicals, so
why would I worry about eating a GMO apple that doesn’t turn brown when exposed
to air?
So many wonderful new words became my language like flavonoids, quercetins,
and bio - nutrition meaning that nature provides the essential micro-nutrients in
synergy to what the body needs to defend against oxidative stress and repair
free radical damage, never just an isolated element like one vitamin pill.
For
example, why try to reproduce the phytochemical called lycopene, a powerful
anti-oxidant, in a ketchup bottle, as an advertising buzzword, when
eating a whole tomato provides a full range of vitamins, minerals, co-factors,
and enzymes that provide optimal synergy of hundreds of essential nutrients?
At the end, the question asked is biotechnology better than
nature? The more you understand about the power of nature, the more you cannot underestimate it.
So, look at the tiny tomato seed. How is it even possible
that all that nutrition is encased in such a tiny shape combined with soil
micro-nutrients to grow such a natural masterpiece? Who will deny Nature’s infinite
organization and affiliation to human bio-systems?
My brother Jim was an outstanding gardener in his backyard
with organic waste from his fish pond applied to a small garden which grew enough tomatoes (as well as other products) to feed the
neighborhood. He kept only heirloom seeds versus hybrids passed down for
decades to grow identical crops. Nature deserves to keep its sovereign seeds.
This e-book Ecological Succession of Birchum Birch was
written in his memory. 50% of the sales will be donated to a scholarship fund
for students interested in environmental studies.
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