This is because the FDA decided that genetically modified crops are “substantially equivalent” to conventional crops despite the fact that they have had their DNA modified.
The extent of the modification is anyone’s guess as collateral damage to the DNA most definitely happens in the process of creating the sought after modification.
According to “Molecular Biology of The Cell” we share 98.8 percent of our DNA with chimpanzees. Despite this close similarity I do not consider humans to be “substantially equivalent” to chimps, though perhaps the FDA would.
What does make two things equivalent? When you fill two glasses with orange juice and add a small amount of E. coli (used in genetic engineering as a gene source) to one, they are no longer “substantially equivalent,” even to the FDA.
In my mind, the same is true with plants. When a sugar beet cell has a Roundup tolerant E. coli gene inserted into its DNA it is no longer “substantially equivalent” to its unmodified counterpart. One will die when sprayed with Roundup, the other will not, a rather major difference.
When I eat sugar I a want to know that I am eating sugar made from a genetically whole plant, not one that has had its genes tampered with and added to.
Unfortunately, sugar beets are often genetically modified, and unless the label says cane sugar it is likely GMO beet sugar that has been used.
Most industrialized countries, and even China, require the labeling of ingredients made from genetically modified crops. If China can do it, surely we can.
In the meantime I avoid all products that just say sugar and not cane sugar, as sugar cane has yet to be genetically modified.
By avoiding GMO foods when shopping I am voting with my wallet, the most powerful vote there is.
Annelle Durham lives in Upper Lake, Calif.
How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
