Growing up with hippie parents I was raised to believe that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are evil, and later came to find out that most of the time they are actually healthier for your body than "organic" foods. This ongoing debate is one that perhaps may never end, but by taking the time to investigate the details you will find that there really is no argument there.

Here is a summary list of reasons why both a majority of the professional scientific community and myself are pro GMO. All of the items on this list are pulled from my personal research, and after reading this list I encourage you to look further into this subject and enlighten yourself on the truth behind this infamous acronym.

1. There is not one valid scientific study proving any harm to the human body as a result of GMO consumption.

Really. If you don't believe me ask the National Academies of Science. In a 388-page report written by 50 scientists that reviewed over 900 studies on GMOs, they found no risks to the human health.

It is popular belief that GMOs are somehow bad for you or can pose a variety of health risks to the human body, but in actuality that is untrue. Many studies have spread with false information that has led the general public to be afraid of GMOs, but all studies have been retracted or proven faulty in some way.

2. They are good for the environment.

But how can something so unnatural be good for the environment?! Simple. GMOs benefit the environment with their increasing of biodiversity and production efficiency which in turn allows the growth of more produce while using fewer resources. This then results in the decrease of water usage, soil erosion, and carbon dioxide emissions! Who would've thought? (Almost all of the scientific community, that's who).

3. They are bug AND pesticide free.

GMOs were initially made with the intent or resisting drought, disease, herbicide, and insects. This means that the need for pesticides that organic food requires to keep it bug-free is not necessary in order to grow a crop that people can eat.

Although organic foods put more restrictions on the types of pesticides allowed to be used on them than non-organic crops, they still use pesticides with toxins in them! This means that when eating organic, you are actually putting toxins into your body that you wouldn't be if you were to choose GMO produce instead.

4. They are tastier and better for your health than organic foods.

Part of genetically modifying something means improving it. Think about it, they wouldn't do this if there weren't benefits. Some improvements that can be made are adding vitamins (used in developing nations to prevent blindness, HIV, malaria, and TB) or taking out unhealthier aspects such as saturated and trans-fats. In this process, scientists have also played with the taste of the produce and have put research into making part of the improvements be making foods more enjoyable.

Some of my favorite examples of genetic modifications benefitting health are cancer-fighting tomatoes, anti-malarial mosquitos, and cancer/disease-fighting bananas, and the concept being studied that is allergy free peanuts.

5. They are natural.

Now this one is a stretch because obviously there are lots of artificial parts to scientists creating these modifications, but the genetic modification of organisms is a completely natural process that happens as species evolve.

Without someone doing it for them, organisms already constantly alter their DNA to survive in order to adapt to the ever-changing world. If scientists aren't doing it, the organisms still will themselves, and this way just allows for the process to be sped up and more controlled by our species' needs.

6. They're less expensive.

No, not because it is worse for you, but simply because organic farming is less productive than GMOs which require fewer resources to grow and more conventional means of mass farming.

Now with all this being said, don't think that I don't still have issues with corporations selling these genetically modified organisms (*cough cough* Monsanto), but the thing is, organic corporations can be just as, if not more evil, in their own ways. For example, reinforcing untrue facts to instill fear into the general public about scientific advancements that are nothing to worry about in order to market a more expensive alternative product (organic).

Yes, Monsanto may have its faults, but so do the organic industries whose tactics allow companies like Whole Foods to make a larger profit per year by reiterating a concept that is simply not true.

By now you have either gotten my point or still think that GMOs are unnatural and wrong, either way, I highly encourage you to look into this matter more yourself past the commonly misleading propaganda that GMOs are bad. While many articles about why GMOs are bad aren't backed with valid (if any) sources (even this article isn't super research heavy in the amount of sources I cite and terminology I use), the National Academies of Science has lots of information in their report and on their website that have research and data behind every claim.