Buying No GMO seeds

[luckitri]

If the seeds do not say not Genetically Engineered or Modified - am I to assume that they are GMO seed vs. organic or heirloom? Heirloom means no GMO right? Or is there no legality to that term?

http://www.globalchange.com/monarch.htm

[Mosaica]

If the seeds do not say not Genetically Engineered or Modified - am I to assume that they are GMO seed vs. organic or heirloom? Heirloom means no GMO right? Or is there no legality to that term?

Luckitri, since people want to know, it must be printed on the seed package if the seeds are organic and heirloom. Packages without that info should be considered hybrids with a high possibility of genetic manipulation.
Here's some info on this:

"What is an heirloom plant? An heirloom plant is an open-pollinated cultivar that was commonly grown during earlier times but is no longer used in today’s large-scale agribusiness. Open-pollinated means that a particular plant can be grown from seed and will come back "true to type," with the next generation looking just like the present one. If you plant an heirloom tomato like a Brandywine, for example, then collect the seeds from the mature plant and process them properly, the plants from these seeds will grow and produce exactly like the Brandywine tomatoes they were taken from. You cannot do this with hybrid tomato varieties because they do not have the ability to reproduce themselves.

Plants are generally considered heirlooms when they can be traced back 100 to 150 years, although many old European, African and Asian plants go back much farther than these dates. Some Native American crops are believed to be pre-Columbian."

http://www.emmitsburg.net/gardens/articles/adams/2006/keeping_past_alive.htm

[luckitri]

Thanks Mosaica! I think that soon there should be laws if not just outright taking the gmo/ge seeds off the market totally. I am seeing articles stating that we are heading for major food shortages very soon due to bee decline caused by genetic engineering killing off the bees.

I had purchased cheap seed as things are tight with us, also because I have not gardened before so did not want to buy expensive till have learned a few things. But so much has come up for me to prevent me planting in a timely manner that it may well be too late as this AZ heat is tricky - most home gardeners cannot grow vegetables if they are planted past early April but I have seen farmers do it and they are not sharing how - plus we may have to move so I do not think the landlord will appreciate an abandoned dried up urban garden where a lawn should be.

Meanwhile the seeds have names that I recognize from years ago so I did not think of genetic manipulation and so with this last article I saw - I could be causing more harm if I grow them and they are gmo seeds too. But if the labeling is not mandated by law there is alot of wiggle room for unscrupulous companies. I saw some websites that showed that alot of seed companies sign Safe Seed Pledges annually, including your emmitsburg site that you share with me. My seeds do not have any such thing listed on their websites so I guess I will have to write them and tell them that I will have to throw out their seed that I bought as I would consider myself unethical to plant them. Also I was saving seed from foods that I have had to see if they would grow and I threw them in the compost now that I may have to move.

[Mosaica]

I just googled the info for you and this website came up. I don't even know what they sell... :p
I'd definitely recommend to buy the best quality organic heirloom seeds. They may be a bit more expensive, but it's a good investment since you'll be able to collect your seeds and sow them next year and every year after that. If you buy a cheaper, but hybrid and genetically manipulated seed, you won't be able to collect seeds and unfortunately you'll end up spending money again the next year.
I'd also recommend to find a local seed company. Locally grown seeds grow best in that particular climate. They will give you the best germination rate and highest yields, since they are accustomed to the climate and conditions in your area.