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Do genetically modified foods in general violate any particular Paleo principle? I recognized that there is an enormous potential for genetic technology to be abused and cause enormous harm, but on the other hand it also seems that this technology offers much hope if properly managed. Though they might be too dangerous to mess with despite their potential benefits, I can't help but viewing GMO's in general as ethically and nutritionally neutral. Is this a very un-paleo perspective?

There are plenty examples of the way in which this technology is being mishandled (e.g. Montesanto), but what if this happened:

Scientists succeed in resurrecting the woolly mammoth by impregnating elephants with Mammoth DNA found frozen in the tundra. The resulting offspring is viable and hardy enough to live off of previously underutilized land in the Yukon. Several years later, mammoth becomes widely available in local supermarkets and is a favorite of budget conscious paleo eaters everywhere. The remarkable health benefits of the mammoth meat then sparks a string of 'recovered' animals all chosen because of their influence on human evolution.

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I'm all for food that has been modified by natural means - crossbred apples (my favorite - Honey crisp for example), selectively bred cows, etc.

The issue comes when they use a laboratory to artificially create something nature never could, such as roundup resistant plants, simply so they can spray the hell out of them with poison and the plants don't die.

Monsanto is not only evil for the abominations they create but for their policy and anti-farmer stance.

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Yea they have sued farmers for things not their fault and have caused mass suicide of farmers in other countries(India was it?). They are the most unethical company. – justanotherhunt Mar 28 2011 at 18:19
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One problem I see is that those with the power to create GMO's do not have our health in mind. And even if they did, based on CW, they would get it wrong.

I don't want beef with less saturated fat or vegetables with more fiber!

We have food today that is appropriate for our needs. I don't see why we need to "improve" upon it. (Guess that makes me a Neo-Luddite as well as a geezer!)

If they could bring back the wooly mammoth or cave bear, I might change my mind.

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Most of the improvements made are not for their nutrient profile or for the benefit of those that consume them - its simply to eek out 1% more profit from that acre of land. – Oranges13 Mar 28 2011 at 19:24
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Dan - I had to upvote this simply because of your creativity and fervor in asking.

"The remarkable health benefits of the mammoth meat"... lol

This is healthy thinking Dan. I love it.

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Haha, thanks. I think mammoth meat would be delicious. – Dan Mar 29 2011 at 11:40

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