As the festive period of Christmas approaches and as we are getting ready for the celebrations for the new year 2005, we all know that eating and rather overeating, will inevitably be again a part of the whole scenery.

We do know that gaining some extra kilos will be difficult to avoid. Taking care to avoid the temptation to eat too much of the sweet delicacies that are so abundant during this season, is a must if we want not to add additional burden to our bodies. We should not forget that being overweight and obese is a source of major health problems.

Nevertheless quantity is not the only issue about food consumption. The question of the genetically modified foods, is pertinent and actual. These foods are more and more disseminated and can be found everywhere. This is a source of concern as nobody really can predict the dangers related to this new evolution.

Undoubtedly the controversies about the genetically modified foods and organisms have been very important for the last few years.

Genetic engineering allows scientists today to intervene on living organisms and modify their natural characteristics. Although these alterations may confer significant advantages to plants, animals and fish, they are not devoted of various sorts of dangers.

Foods made using genetic technology should be subject to pre-marketing safety assessments. There is an evident necessity for global management of genetically modified foods.

Use of bioengineered crops has increased dramatically since their introduction in the mid-1990s. In 1998 as much as 44 percent of acreage of soybean, cotton, and corn were grown from biotech seeds.

Genetically modified crops are grown commercially or in field trials in over 40 countries and on 6 continents. In 2000, about 109.2 million acres were planted with transgenic crops, the principal ones being herbicide- and insecticide-resistant soybeans, corn, cotton, and canola.

Genetically modified organisms are here to stay. Scientists  regard this as an opportunity to solve the world food problem. Companies feel that this is an occasion for increased profits. The public in many countries distrusts bio-engineered food.

Genetically engineered foods are generally regarded as safe. There are no reports of illness or injury due to genetically engineered foods.

You will find more information about the pros and the cons relevant to this timely matter in the article of our 23rd monthly Progressive Newsletter Genetically modified foods and organisms: Dangers and precautions which I believe you will find interesting.

I hope you will have a wonderful time with your family and friends and me as well as all my colleagues from Progressive Insurance Company we would like to wish you merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.