WHAT are GMOs?
GMOs (or “genetically modified organisms”) are organisms
that have been created through the gene-splicing techniques of biotechnology
(also called genetic engineering, or GE). This relatively new science allows
DNA from one species to be injected into another species in a laboratory,
creating combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and viral genes that do not
occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.
WHY are GMOs
dangerous?
In 2009, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine
(AAEM) stated that, "Several animal studies indicate serious health risks
associated with genetically modified (GM) food," including infertility,
immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation, and changes in
major organs and the gastrointestinal system. The AAEM has asked physicians to
advise all patients to avoid GM foods.
The genetic engineering process creates massive collateral
damage, causing mutations in hundreds or thousands of locations throughout the
plant's DNA. Natural genes can be deleted or permanently turned on or off, and
hundreds may change their behavior. Even the inserted gene can be damaged or
rearranged, and may create proteins that can trigger allergies or promote
disease.
GMOs have been associated with health risks including
allergies, infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, changes in major
organs and gastrointestinal system. They
increase antibiotic resistance and the genese from GM foods invade our
digestive tract and breed there.
How common are GMOs?
According to the USDA, in 2009, 93% of soy, 93% of cotton, and 86% of corn
grown in the U.S. were GMO. It is estimated that over 90% of canola grown is
GMO, and there are also commercially produced GM varieties of sugar beets,
squash and Hawaiian Papaya. As a result, it
is estimated that GMOs are now present in more than 80% of packaged products in
the average U.S. or Canadian grocery store.
What crops
contain GMOs?
There are
eight GM food crops. The five major varieties—soy, corn, canola, cotton, and sugar beets—have bacterial genes
inserted, which allow the plants to survive an otherwise deadly dose of weed
killer. Farmers use considerably more herbicides on these GM crops and so the
food has higher herbicide residues. About 68% of GM crops are herbicide
tolerant.
The second GM trait is a built-in
pesticide, found in GM corn and cotton. A gene from the soil bacterium called
Bt (for Bacillus thuringiensis) is inserted into the plant’s DNA, where it
secretes the insect-killing Bt-toxin in every cell. About 19% of GM crops
produce their own pesticide. Another 13% produce a pesticide and are herbicide
tolerant.There is also Hawaiian papaya and a small amount of zucchini and yellow
crookneck squash, which are engineered to resist a plant virus.
Code for GM
produce:
Genetically modified produce have five
digit PLU numbers that begin with an 8. Example:
a GM Granny Smith Apple will have a PLU of 84017. Beware: That lovely green Granny Smith apple
is a Frankenfood!
Information adapted from the Institute for Responsible
Technology
What YOU can do:
1. Buy certified organic foods. They are our single best bet for avoiding GMO
ingredients, synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, antibiotics and
hormones.
2. Be a label detective. Read ingredient labels and vote with your
food dollars. Reject products likely to
contain GMOs, such as dextrose, corn starch, corn syrup or corn sugar, soy
lecithin, canola and cottonseed oils, and sugar from sugar beets. Dairy
products may come from cows injected wtih GM bovine growth hormone. Look for
labels stating No rBGH or rBST. Some
foods carry a Non GMO seal.Check out the downloaded guide here. They even have an app for your phone.
3. Avoid certain ingredients. Avoid at risk ingredients such as corn,
soybeans, canola, cottonseed, sugar
beets, Hawaiian papaya and small amount of zucchini and yellow crookneck squash, etc.
4. Be active. Call or write
the President, your state representatives and food manufacturers. Voice opposition to GMO crops and demand
GMO-food labeling.
5. Stay conscious,
yet calm. Do the best that you can
to avoid GM foods, but try not to stress so hard. Worrying will NOT help the problem. Vote with your dollar and avoid GM foods
whenever you can for the health of yourself and your family. Download free materials such as the Non-GMOShopping Guide or the Center for Food Safety’s True Food Shopper’s Guide. There are plenty of helpful resources,
downloads and apps out there to help you stay informed and safe!
6. Spread the word. Share this information with family, friends and anyone willing to listen.
Great websites to
stay informed:
