GMO Cotton: Why We Should All Care What We Wear

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of GMO Answers for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

As you guys know I’ve been super into my health these days. I’m so conscious of what I put into my body but not only that, I care about what I put ON my body as well. With that being said, I wanted to talk today about a fabric that we all know very well – cotton. Cotton is an extremely versatile crop that has been grown for thousands of years. Many of us know and recognize cotton, from our favorite t-shirt to the sheets on our bed. We use cotton every single day.

What I wanted to talk about is sustainable GMO (genetically modified) cotton which, in essence is, practical cotton. It can be produced year-in and year-out with reduced impact on the environment. Win-win in my book. It is made possible today thanks to improved growing practices, better technology and the willingness of the industry to produce eco-friendly products, largely based on consumer demands. Just so you guys know, GMO cotton has all the same characteristics consumers love about their cotton products being that it’s versatile, durable and easy to care for. The reason that I want to talk about it first and foremost is because most people don’t realize that cotton provides more than just the clothes on your back. Every part of the cotton plant can actually be used. The long cotton fibers are used to make cloth, the short fibers provide cellulose for making plastics and can be used in the paper industry and processed into batting for padding mattresses, furniture and car cushions. You can also make oil, margarine, soap, cosmetics, rubbers, and more out of the seeds of the cotton plant. The leaves and stalks of the cotton plant are plowed into the ground to make the soil better. Cottonseed and cottonseed meal are used in feed for livestock, dairy cattle, and poultry. Bet you guys didn’t know all that, right?!

Supporting GMO cotton means you support what it can actually do for you and the environment. Here are three of my favorite benefits of GMO Cotton:

-They provide insect resistance by allowing farmers protection against target pests and reduces the need for pesticide application (SO important in my book).

-They are drought tolerant and have better moisture retention.

-They are able to resist certain diseases which is another plus.

In today’s post I’m wearing a full cotton look to support my views on GMO cotton and what it can do for our environment. I encourage you all to do the same and pay attention to not only what you are eating but what you are wearing as well!

Also for anyone interested, GMO Answers is an online resource that exists to answer any questions about GMOs – how they are made, why they are made, how they are used in practice and their impact around the world. You can ask any question and have it answered by an expert as well. Make sure to check them out here:

Questions about GMOs or biotechnology?