The Difference Between Heirlooms, Hybrids, GMOS, and Gene Editing

Confusion and common myths may deter some people from choosing healthier, tastier foods, but that would be a mistake

Children are the most vulnerable and affected by the food they eat, so we want to feed them the safest and best quality food possible. Shutterstock

Avoiding genetically modified (GM) foods is a challenge, as mostly they remain unlabeled. Many consumers are also confused about what these foods are, or are under the persistent misconception that “all foods have been modified anyway.”

That is not true, and there are stark differences between foods that have changed through the creation of heirloom varieties and hybridization, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), in which the DNA has been altered, as well as the products of other new gene editing technologies, like CRISPR.

These differences have the potential to affect consumers’ health. Thus, understanding which foods have been modified, and how, is important.

Heirloom Seeds Are the Chosen Ones

Heirloom seeds are often prized by farmers as the best seeds available. They are the best of every crop that came before it. The process of creating heirloom varieties is absolutely natural and can be done by anyone.