Cosmetic Ingredient Awareness: GMO's aka GEO's

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While looking for new non-toxic products to try, I realized I was seeing the same letters over and over, "free of GMO's", "no GEO's". I thought to myself, is this like MSG? A long string of words that are not good for some people? On to my trusty Wikipedia for some answers, plus some websites I found that elaborate a bit more on the effect of GMO's or GEO's in our cosmetics. To my surprise, GMO's or GEO's are not harmful, and the controversy mainly evolves around the fact that natural compounds are changed - therefore ingredients are not as pure or organic as they may seem to be. I found some interesting facts, but most of the information I read was pertaining more to genetically modified food crops, scientific uses and addressing controversial articles and organizations.

A genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically engineered organism (GEO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. These techniques, generally known as recombinant DNA technology, use DNA molecules from different sources, which are combined into one molecule to create a new set of genes. This DNA is then transferred into an organism, giving it modified or novel genes. Transgenic organisms, a subset of GMOs, are organisms which have inserted DNA that originated in a different species.

The use of genetically modified organisms has sparked significant controversy in many areas. Some groups or individuals see the generation and use of GMO as intolerable meddling with biological states or processes that have naturally evolved over long periods of time, while others are concerned about the limitations of modern science to fully comprehend all of the potential negative ramifications of genetic manipulation.
(courtesy of Wikipedia)

GMO’s are in many personal care products including skin care, deodorant, perfume, and cosmetics.
Our bodies can’t break down these genetically engineered ingredients. They filter through your largest organ, your skin, then enter all of the systems and filters of your body.
The products using GE ingredients generally use them for reasons similar to their reasons for using parabens, it’s cheaper.
(courtesy of Life Long, Lifestyle)

Beauty products often contain plant or animal ingredients with GMO derivatives.
Organic crops in the US are consistently testing positive for GMO cross-contamination. Cross-pollination from neighboring farms, GMO seed mixed in with organic seed, and misrepresentation of GMO products for organic to warrant higher prices are all to blame for the problem of cross-contamination. The most common GMO-grown crops are: Soybeans, Corn, Cotton, Hawaiian Papaya, Tomatoes, Potatoes, Rapeseed (Canola), Sugar cane, Sugar beet, Sweet corn, Rice.
No new GM crops have been approved for cultivation in Europe since then. Europe is not united on GMO acceptance, with several countries (France, Austria, Poland, Hungary, and Greece) banning the practice.
Because of cross-contamination of corn crops, some companies like Lavera, choose to use talc rather than cornstarch. Pure talc is a safe, naturally-occurring, nontoxic mineral that causes no skin reactions or irritations. Low-grade talc used in some cosmetics products came to light as an ingredient of concern due to asbestos contamination. All talc used in Lavera products are pharmaceutical grade, considered the purest form of talc, and asbestos free. In accordance to BDIH certification requirements, all of our products such as our natural makeup and organic skin care products are GMO free.
Liz Thompson is founder and editor of Organic Beauty Source, a blog where she shares information on safe, natural beauty and personal care products, such as natural cosmetics and organic skin care. Years of extensive research on the subject of safe cosmetics and a passion for all things beautiful led this mother of two to create this online venue where the conscientious consumer can easily find products free from harmful ingredients and educate themselves in the process.
(courtesy of Ezine Articles)

Links on my blog: http://www.beautybykrystal.com/2011/05/cosmetic-ingredient-awareness-gmos-aka.html

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This is some fantastic information, thank you for sharing.

It can definitely be confusing when so many sources are shouting various 'truths' based upon whatever they're trying to sell.

Jamie D.

May 10, 2011

Jamie D.

Bodies can handle certain amounts of substances that it can't handle in large amounts. Apples have formaldehyde in them, but eating an apple is okay. That's probably the case with the small amount (if any) of GEOs and GMOs in our products. Seems like much ado about nothing.