GMO Franken Foods
Genetically-modified foods (GMOs) have been commercially available since the first transgenic tomato was approved in 1994. Its estimated that 70-75% of supermarket processed foodssoda, soup, corn chips, veggie burgers, pizza, baby food and infant formulacontain GMO ingredients of which we are completely unaware. GMOs approved for human consumption include: corn, rice, soy, wheat, alfalfa, flax, barley, apples, papaya, potatoes, peas, tomatoes, sweet peppers, peanuts, canola oil, cow, pig, cows milk. A cow was recently developed to produce human breast milk.
align="right" border="1" height="282" hspace="8" width="340">The WHO stated that Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are "organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in such a way that does not occur naturally." Genetic engineering, biotechnology or recombinant DNA technology are other GMO terms. This technology consists of randomly inserting genetic fragments of DNA from one organism to another, usually from a different species, to modify plants, grains, and animals. These different species have included viruses, bacteria, parasites, grains, flowers, animals, and humans.
Due to the supremacy of commercial interests over public health, the US doesnt label GMOs and the public is being denied the right to know about GMOs in our food chain. A recent MSNBC poll of over 45,000 Americans indicated 96% want GMO labeling. As highlighted recently in the New York Times, the FDA and USDA wont require any GMOs, or foods containing GMOs, to be labeled as genetically-engineered to avoid suggesting or implying that GMO foods are different. Alarmingly, more than 40 countries across the globe have either banned GMOs outright or have laws requiring labeling of GMOs, giving citizens in those countries the freedom to choose what to eat. The seriousness of problems associated with GMOs is underscored by The American Academy of Environmental Medicines call on the public to avoid GMO foods whenever possible.
There is not a single peer-reviewed study on the safety of GMOs in humans. Nearly every independent animal feeding safety study on GMOs not funded by the biotechnology/GMO industry demonstrates adverse or unexplained health effects including: infertility; reduced litter sizes; birth defects; impaired growth; disrupted organ development; damaged immune systems; increased death rate; bleeding stomachs; shortened life span; damaged heart, liver, spleen, kidneys; and altered nutrient metabolism. Its been well-documented that numerous animals, given the choice, will not consume GMOs.
The effects of GMOs on humans include: allergic reactions; antibiotic resistance; neurologic, digestive, and skin problems; chronic illness (such as irritable bowel and chronic fatigue); immune suppression, headaches, increased cancer risk, ingestion of toxins, and presence of GMO-programmed pesticides in women and their fetuses. Some have likened eating GMOs to genetic roulette, wherein there are unpredictable and unforeseen consequences, including having hazardous genes being inserted willy-nilly into our own genes.
align="left" border="1" height="241" hspace="8" width="340">In addition to GMO health effects, there are profound global health ramifications associated with GMO farming. The two most significant involve markedly increased pesticide use due to development of superweeds and the destruction of the planets biodiversity. The pesticides/herbicides used in GMO farming manifest in hazardous amounts in rainwater, water wells, and, according to new Brazilian research, breastmilk. Genetically-modified organisms spread through nature and interbreed with natural organisms, contaminating non-GMO environments, affecting future generations in unforeseeable and uncontrollable ways, including destroying native organisms that have been cultivated and fed indigenous peoples for centuries.
Each of us can impact the GMO spread by implementing these simple steps:
1. Buy organic.
2. Look for Non-GMO labels.
3. Look for dairy labels that say, No rBGH or rBST or artificial hormone free.
4. Avoid at-risk ingredients: corn, soybeans, canola, cottonseed, sugar beets, Hawaiian papaya (most) and some zucchini and yellow squash.
5. Avoid non-organic products that list sugar as an ingredient, NOT pure cane sugar. That sugar is almost certain to b a combination of sugar from sugar cane and GMO sugar beets.
6. Use a Shopping Guide/iPhone app:
a. http://truefoodnow.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/cfs-shoppers-guide.pdf
b. http://livingmaxwell.com/organic-nyc-iphone-app-true-food-shopping-guide
c. http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/
7. Get involved/make a difference:
a. Share information with family and friends.
b. Advocate GMO labeling.
c. Purchase non-hybrid/GMO, heirloom, organic seeds; grow your own food; save seeds for next years crop.
Dr. David Suzuki, scientist, geneticist, and environmentalist recently commented about GMOs: Any scientist that tells you they are safe is either ignorant or lying to you.
Additional Resources:
Shedding Light on Genetically Engineered Food by Beth Harrison
Seeds of Deception by Jeffrey M. Smith
Genetic Roulette by Jeffrey M. Smith
Seeds of Destruction by William F. Engdahl
Stolen Harvest by Vandana Shiva
US Links:
The Center for Food Safety http://www.truefoodnow.org
Amer. Academy of Environmental Medicine www.aaemonline.org/gmopost.html" st*l*="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">http://www.aaemonline.org/gmopost.html
The Organic & Non-GMO Report http://www.non-gmoreport.com/
Institute for Responsible Technology http://www.responsibletechnology.org/
The Truth about GMOs http://www.thetruthaboutgmos.com/
Deepak Chopra on GMO: live stream
Global Links:
Greenpeace International
Biosafety Information Center http://www.biosafety-info.net/
Physicians and Scientists for Responsible Application of Science and Technology
GM Watch: http://www.gmwatch.eu/links