This is in response to the article entitled “Genetically altered salmon? That’s just the beginning” by Seth Borenstein and Malcolm Ritter of The Associated Press which appeared in The Bay City Times on October 15, 2010.
“We've always played with our food — even before we knew about genes or how to change them.”
“Playing with our food?” Is that what you call the unsubstantiated, unconsented genetic mutation of our food supply? The mass production and consumption of GMO (foods containing Genetically Modified Organisms) is a very serious matter with potentially dire consequences. However, most people are totally unaware of what GMO really means and that is the way the FDA and the nation’s largest producer of GMO crops, Monsanto, would like to keep it.
The process of genetically modifying foods involves the manipulation of the genetic material (DNA) which may involve adding or deleting genes from various species of plants and animals (including pathogenic bacteria like E. Coli) to produce a desired effect such as disease resistance, inherent pesticide properties and/or resistance to herbicides. On the surface, it seems like a great idea. (Potentially) heartier plants, greater yields, and less cost to farmers – what’s not to love? After all, what could go wrong when we attempt to improve upon Mother Nature using our high tech knowledge? Does anyone remember what happened when biologist Warwick E. Kerr attempted to interbreed honey bees from Europe and southern Africa in order to create a bee which produced more honey?
I believe that most people are oblivious to what GMO really means and have not been given fully informed consent regarding the products they are consuming. I highly recommend that everyone fully educate themselves to the inherent dangers of GMO foods. The movie Food, Inc. is a great place to start. I think every person in American should watch it at least once. For more in-depth information, I suggest reading Jeffrey Smith’s books, Seeds of Deception and Genetic Roulette. Once people have become truly educated, informed consumers, they can decide for themselves whether or not to consume genetically-altered products.
So, what is the problem with GMO foods? First of all, they have not been studied long-term in human beings. GMO foods were first introduced in the early 1990’s. In animal studies, the consumption of GMO foods has been shown to cause sterility in subsequent generations of hamsters, rats, and mice. Farmers have observed that animals fed GM corn have exhibited signs of impaired fertility, sterility, bleeding stomachs, potentially precancerous cell growth, damaged organs and immune systems, kidney inflammation, problems with blood and liver cells, and unexplained deaths. In its official statement on genetically modified foods, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine states that “GM foods pose a serious health risk in the areas of toxicology, allergy and immune function, reproductive health, and metabolic, physiologic and genetic health and are without benefit…” Do we want to be the guinea pigs for this latest technology? We are not only putting ourselves at risk when consuming these dangerous food products, but there is an even more significant risk for our children and all future generations. There have been no safety studies conducted that prove GM foods are safe. If a plant has been genetically altered to produce a pesticide which explodes the stomach of the insect who eats its leaves, do you really think it’s safe or prudent to eat such a plant?
Secondly, the supposed benefits of GMO simply do not exist. Yields have actually decreased in GMO soy crops by 20 percent compared to non-GMO crops, and in India they have documented 100 percent failures their GM cotton. What should benefit farmers by decreasing their costs to raise crops actually costs more because they are unable to re-use their seeds and must purchase new seed each season. The seeds are actually now created to be sterile which threatens all future crops when they intermix with non-GMO crops. USDA data showed that GM crops increased pesticide use by 50 million pounds from 1996 to 2003 in the United States. Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide is lethal to frogs and toxic to human placental and embryonic cells. It is used on more than 80 percent of all GM crops planted in the world. The grandiose aspirations of GMO foods to end world hunger have obvious not been fulfilled either.
In the United States today, over 80% of processed food products on the market today contain GMO foods. Most of the corn, cotton, canola and soy produced in this country are genetically modified. Other GMO crops include alfalfa, Hawaiian papaya, tomatoes, canola, sugar cane, sugar beets and zucchini squash. Animals, too, have become the latest in GMO products. There is no labeling required to identify GMO foods, despite the attempts of organizations like The Center for Food Safety to get this implemented. It is all about money. It usually is. The big companies behind GMO do not want people to be aware of what genetic modification really means and which foods contain these substances because they know that most informed consumers, if they had a choice, would opt for non-GMO over GMO foods.
How can we recognize and avoid GMO foods? Products that contain maltodextrin, soy lecithin, and high fructose corn syrup are most likely genetically modified. Other products include: milk that contains rbGH, aspartame (NutraSweet), and rennet (containing genetically modified enzymes) used to make hard cheeses. Look at the stickers on the produce you purchase. The PLU code for conventionally grown fruit consists of four numbers; organically grown fruit has five numbers prefaced by the number nine; and GM fruit has five numbers prefaced by the number eight. Buy organic whenever possible. By definition, organic products cannot contain GMO ingredients. Avoid processed foods as most of these likely contain GM corn or soy products. Purchase local, organic fruits and vegetables whenever possible. We speak loudest with our wallets. A great resource for consumers is the Non-GMO Shopping Guide, available for download at http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/. Take action now. Refuse to purchase genetically modified foods. Write to local, state and national leaders to voice your concerns. Become an informed consumer.
The article states that James Murray, professor of animal sciences at the University of California at Davis, says that “fears surrounding genetically engineered foods sound similar to concerns about microwave ovens, which some people initially thought would give off dangerous radiation or blow up pacemakers.” It is interesting to note here that microwave ovens are associated with many health risks, from the release of ionizing radiation to the deterioration of nutrients in the foods that they are used to cook. In fact, Russia banned microwave ovens in 1976. He also believes that “genetically engineered food is the only hope to avoid starvation.” Yet, seed sterilization prevents the ability to replicate crops without purchasing more of the proprietary seed, not to mention the problems created when this seed migrates to other crops. There has been no evidence to support his notion. His final statement, however, is what I find most unsettling. What he intends as a rhetorical statement actually requires a very serious reply. He asks, “What is the cost to humanity if we do not use this technology?” It is not a cost to humanity that would ensue should GMO foods be banned, but rather a great benefit. By consuming locally-grown, non-GMO, organic food, we are supporting local farmers, consuming fewer toxins, ingesting more nutrients, contributing to our greater overall health and the health of future generations, and being environmentally conscious and responsible stewards of this planet.
I do not wish to play with my food, my health or my future. Nor do I wish for companies out for profit to play with my food either. If you want to play games with your health, continue to eat GMO foods and support the process of genetic modification. However, if you want to stop playing games, speak up and refuse to purchase or consume GMO products.
Please note: October is Non-GMO Month. Find out more at http://www.nongmoproject.org/.
