A couple weeks ago I did an interview with a GMO advocate. With how much research I’ve been reading lately on the negative impacts of GMO’s, it was a tough, but necessary interview to do. I think it’s important to research both sides of a topic because that’s how you determine the middle ground for you… and it’s different for everyone. But I feel that every one has the right, and the ability to make diet decisions for themselves. I don’t think one way is the end-all-be-all and I don’t think that there is ONE approach that is right for everyone.
So in an attempt to understand the other side, I brought a doctor on the Chalene Show. His name is Dr. Steve Savage and he is a 35-year veteran of agricultural science. He has a BS in Biology from Stanford University, and a PHD in plant pathology from UC Davis. Since 1996 he has been working as an independent consultant in the agricultural community.
This interview reminded me that we all need a healthy dose of skepticism. We need to be our own advocates, and our own researchers. We can’t just believe everything thrown at us in the news or online.
When it comes to gut health we are learning more every day. At the root of our gut issues is the undeniable truth that we’ve been ingesting food that has been creating damaging effects on the lining of our colon.
In the quest to heal my own, every expert I’ve spoken to, they’ve all recommended removing GMO’s from your diet.
However, one thing that is true is that simple labels have been complicated and muddled by crafty marketing and political agenda.
I’m not going to profess to have all the answers. But in an effort to help you make a more informed decision about what goes on your plate, I wanted to bring you an expert from the other side.
Topics Covered in this Interview:
– What does GMO actually mean? Generally speaking; Plants that have intentionally altered genes.
– In this audio Dr. Steve Savage covers the different types of genetically modification.
– Health implications and misconceptions of GMO’s.
– How to handle our food being sprayed with pesticides and chemicals?
– As a consumer, what should we be paying attention to?
– The misconceptions that consumers need to be aware of as it relates to USDA certified organic.
– The biggest myth around the term organic.
– What does organic actually mean?
– The fact that Organic farmers still use some level or pesticides.
– How are companies able to sell organic products that are genetically modified?
– From a marketing standpoint, what are some of the red flags to look for on labels?
– The marketing of non existence.
LISTEN to the FULL interview below! (Just click play) And don’t forget to let me know what you think below! Leave me a comment. I love hearing from you.
After listening to this, I am curious about berries….I have always heard if you are going to buy anything organic, it should be berries. Because they have over 14 different chemicals sprayed on them. This dr. said he doesn’t buy organic. I was just wondering if there was any food, specifically, where it would be better to buy organic. And also, what about organic meats? I wonder if this falls under the same thing as what we were listening to about vegetables? Very interesting. Gives me a lot to think about.
Hi Rhonda! Thank you for your question! 🙂 I did this interview because I think its important to understand both sides of the story. Though I know HE stated he doesn’t eat organic, I personally continue to consume organic anytime it’s available. When it comes to meat… I passionately believe that you should only consume humanly raised, organic, free range, antibiotic and hormone free meat. There is TOO much research that support how grain fed, mass produced, factory farming meat negatively impacts our health.
I just wanted to say thank-you for being courageous and sharing this podcast. It shed light on the topic that I have not heard before. I’m certainly not going to start using roundup and I will continue to eat organic, but the podcast gave another side that needs to be heard. We should individually make decisions based on well balanced (& hopefully truthful) facts. Thanks again! Julie
First off, I wanted to just say that it was a great to hear both side of the story to being respectful and listening to each other’s differing opinions. I, however, have to agree with Steve in his decision to specifically avoid buying organic and non-GMO foods. I don’t just do this because I have a degree in Agricultural Science, or because there’s no study that can actually prove GMO’s are harmful, but because I’m grateful for GMO’s and all they have done to improve quality of life, environment, and climate – and I want to support that in any way I can.
It was a great point that was brought up that a lot of crops labeled “organic”are not actually free of pesticides. I know a farm that sells their crops as organic. However, they buy a by-product from a local winery and spread that on their fields as a fertilizer. The grapes that created this by-product have been sprayed with pesticides. This is still allowed to be sold as organic. This is a very common occurrence in organic farming that most pro-organic consumers are not aware of. Do you still think that a crop fertilized with a non-organic by-product should still be allowed this label?