The Frankenbean

 It's alive! Mwahahahaha!! Is probably fairly accurate in describing scientists involved with genetic engineering. Now, these numb-skulls just don't learn from their mistakes, and have made yet another attempt at tampering with mother nature. This new experiment, called by some the Frankenbean, was developed at the University of Hawaii to repel pests, control ripening , and grow decaffeinated coffee beans! Genetically engineering coffee beans are not something new; back in 2003, Nara Institute of Science and Technology In Japan developed the first decaffeinated coffee trees. Then, in February 2006, corporate giant Nestle patented a genetically modified coffee tree.        

 

If this isn't scary to you, you must not be very familiar with the risks that come along with genetically engineering living organisms. Like Frankenstein, a perfectly good idea can turn out to be a monster (as many of these GMO products are turning out to be). Genetically modified crops are invasive, and their pollen can contaminate any other crops within 8 miles! Talk about zombie plant invasion! Another concerning aspect of GMO, is the possibility of modifying our body's DNA with the genetically modified foods we consume. 

 Not many scientists have studied the long term affect of consuming GMOs. (the testings done by Monsanto and others only stretch for 90 days, not . One french scientist named Giles-Eric Seralini conducted a two year study on rats to find the health impact of Monsanto's GMO Roundup maize. He watched as humongous tumors developed on many rats, and many others died. If you were to look up this study online you would find much controversy surrounding it, in this article the reasons for the controversy are explained perfectly.  

 All this information should make you think twice before you take a nice big sip of that morning coffee. Remember that if it's not certified organic, chances are it's GMO!  

Resources 

• http://www.deansbeans.com/coffee/deans_zine.html?blogid=192 
• http://environmentalcommons.org/cetos/articles/konaoppose.html
• http://seattletimes.com/html/coffeecity/2012950811_the_food_drug_administration.html 
• http://www.gmeducation.org/environment/p149075-contamination-of-crops.html  
• http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/gmo-safety-zmgz13amzsto.aspx?PageId=2#ArticleContent