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The anatomy of a factory farmed turkey
Consumer demand has led to significant changes in how turkeys are raised, with the majority of fowl being modified to produce more mass, more quickly.
Tue, Nov 22 2011 at 8:23 AM
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More than 240 million turkeys were raised in the U.S. last year. The size of the consumer market has led to significant changes in how turkeys are created and raised, with the majority of fowl being genetically modified to produce more mass, more quickly. This infographic takes a look at the anatomy of a genetically modified bird. Read the details for yourself — and consider an organic option this year, or better yet, skip the turkey altogether.
Correction: This post was previously titled The Anatomy of a GMO Turkey. However, the content describes factory farmed turkeys, which are common in North America, and not GMO birds, which are not available for consumption in the United States.
Infographic courtesy ethicalocean.com
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I think this is not such a bad situation and it can be better in every moment.
Cazare Rucar Online
Whether or not the commercially raised turkeys are genetically modified, the point of the article is that they are raised in fairly cruel and abnormal conditions, and it is worth reconsidering the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. The GM issue might require a little research.
Next year I'm liable to just have mac and cheese! Spare the turkeys, milk the cows...
Be careful to use only "organic" bread to stuff your turkey with. Anything that doesn't say "organic" is using GMO grains. Even if it says "natural" it can contain GMO grains.
>_< this comment makes my head hurt. GMO isn't a bad thing, it just means that the grains were carefully selected for in a lab instead of at whim over hundreds of years. We don't have the technology to hand code DNA yet.
The turkeys are overfed and fat just like most americans. You are what you eat. A big fat turkey.
We rely on you for environmental news. Please hire journalists who know the facts. Fred is right. Turkeys are not genetically modified!
Turkeys are not genetically modified. Their abnormal size and growth is due to conventional breeding. "Genetically modified" refers to genetic engineering, which has not yet been done on commercial turkeys.
Selective breeding IS genetic modification, by definition.
I raise my own heritage breed, free-range, pastured turkey. It eats its natural food, roams freely all day, and has none of the body modifications mentioned above. It leads as natural a life as possible, and then I truly give thanks for its sustenance just as my American Indian ancestors did.
I confess. I have a factory farmed bird awaiting in the fridge. What about you? I never manage to get the combo of extra cost and ordering early in order to get an organic, free range, non factory farmed turkey together in time for the holidays. The major natural chains seem to have turkeys that are modified in some ways if not all as well, so ordering from a local farmer seems to be the only way.
Or you could choose to forgo turkey altogether. The holiday is about peace. Peace begins with our plates.
I am fairly sure my 75-year-old mother would make sure peace ended if I skipped the turkey altogether. I considered it until I heard her talking on the phone about her Thanksgiving plans with someone. (I am her caregiver and she lives with us.) I caved to guilt.