In the beginning...

Depending on your view point, you will view the title of this post very differently. If you are religious or traditional, you might see the book of Genesis. If you are a scientist, you may think...Big Bang! Whatever your place is, I hope you find this to be a welcoming forum for thought. The topics I will be discussing will range vastly between scientific research, relationships, food (of course!), and so many other things! My wealth of knowledge will not escape you if you choose to read, and I'm hoping yours will not escape me! So please comment at the end of posts, because I would love to know how you feel about what I'm discussing. You cannot have a discussion or debate if you are talking to yourself.**

So let's get things rolling, shall we? How about my favorite topic? Alright, genetically modified foods it is!
If you haven't read the paragraph under my lab selfie yet, then you probably aren't aware that I work as a researcher at New Mexico State University-in plant pathology. Even though my degree will be in genetics, I do work predominantly in plant genetics. Why? Because I love plants, and I always have. Besides, there is nothing more satisfying than helping others by following your dreams, am I right? So Jordan, that's really lovely, but what does it have to do with GMOs? Well I will tell you, curious stranger. I am letting you know that this article is coming from the perspective of someone who creates and works with genetically modified crops! No, I don't work for Monsanto, though we can talk about them later. I am a scientist, and I have no goals here other than helping others. I have no agenda, I hate politics, and all I have ever wanted was to learn and understand this glorious place around me.

Time to stop beating around the bush. First of all, let me say that generally GMOs are neither good nor bad. Just like people and books and movies, some could be good and some could be bad. But for the most part, I am inclined to say that GM plants are not bad at all. I actually think they are the future. I have really wonderful reasons, too.

1. We cannot use GM plants that are dangerous. GM plants are heavily regulated, and for good reason. If they had the potential to hurt people, we could not, nor would we want to, put them in the fields.
2. If you didn't know, the typical GM plant has added DNA sequences. You know, extra As, Ts, Cs, Gs? All that good stuff. Funny story, that plant had DNA before we put more into it! And guess what? Your body digested it! And disposed of it, but that's not really my area... So a little extra DNA isn't going to harm you.
3. We improve plants exponentially! GM plants produce more and are more viable than regular ones. 
4. Organic, eh? Your body cannot tell the difference between these plants, and we are wasting tons of money to buy something they believe is really better quality.
5. If you think buying organic foods keeps the GM plants at bay, you couldn't be more wrong. Medicine, clothing, cosmetics, and more all contain GM plants, unless otherwise specified. That's right, you probably have GM cotton on your butt right now.

I believe this information has a lot of potential. You could be saying, I'm still not sure. Or, This person has no idea what they are talking about! Well, you certainly may have your opinion. But in the interest of removing just a little bit more ignorance about genetically modified foods, let me offer one last piece on the matter:

If you read somewhere that GM foods are creating new food allergies, know that this is a lie. Let me offer a scenario to show you why. I have an extreme soy allergy. I also have asthma, so it shuts down my respiratory system if I have a reaction (dependent on reaction). If they take the genetic sequence of soy that I am allergic to and put it into corn, I would then be allergic to that corn, because it has the sequence that I am allergic to. However, this would not happen, because that plant would never enter the fields. There was a case with Brazil Nuts, which many people are fearfully allergic to, where a protein from it was placed into soybean (go figure) in a study which proved this. You can access it here: Brazil Nut Study.

That's it for me today, so I hope you enjoyed this little rant/totally informative piece. Have a wonderful, incredible, full-of-life day.

**If you believe you can, please seek a mental health specialist.