Have you ever noticed how holiday turkeys have gotten bigger over the years? Today's average turkey weighs 121% more than the average-sized birds served on Thanksgiving tables nearly 80 years ago. Nope, we don't have natural evolution to thank for these growth spurts in our birds, but the hormones injected into and fed to turkeys at the commercial turkey farms.
This genetic modification is unhealthy for both the birds and for the people who consume them. Think about it: Do you really want to ingest all those hormones with your holiday meal?
Ethical Ocean, an online retailer of ethically sourced products, states:
"Over 240 Million turkeys were raised in the US last year alone. The size of this market has led to significant changes in what makes a 'turkey', 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 for yourself and consider an organic option this year, or better yet, skip the turkey altogether."
The following infographic by Ethical Ocean (below) gives us the 411 on these GMO birds, the detriments to their health well-being and a few eyebrow-raising statistics.
Read more from Wired: Give Thanks? Science Supersized Your Turkey Dinner