Genetically Modified Organisms: Are They Safe?

When the topic of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) is discussed, there's a lot of misinformation and confusion about what and why GMO food is toxic and unhealthy for not only humans, but all living things, including the environment and nature itself.

The Basics Everyone Needs To Know about GMO

Genetic engineering is 100% different from traditional crossbreeding (cross fertilization) of plants. The genetic engineering in major crops — Wheat, Soy, Corn, (commercial for animals and sweet corn for humans) Cotton, Canola, Sugar Beets, and Alfalfa have been infused with a gene from a virus or bacteria. The virus or bacteria gene was forced into the DNA of the plants. Derivatives such as soy lecithin, soy isolate, soy protein, high-fructose corn syrup and sugar (unless labeled as cane sugar) are in the vast majority of processed foods.

Not to mention that all beef, pork, chicken, turkey and domestic geese (unless labeled organic) are fed GMO wheat, soy, corn, sugar beet leaves and alfalfa. Therefore when you eat these meat products, you're eating GMO. Furthermore, milk cows and chickens are fed the same GMO products. When you eat or drink milk products you are eating GMO, (unless labeled organic). When you eat chicken eggs (unless labeled organic) you are eating GMO products. 

How Did GMO Become The American Food Staple?

The majority of American consumers mistakenly believe that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves GMO crops only after careful study. Unfortunately, the FDA has become a partnership with corporations, which the FDA is ostensibly a government watch dog — such as:  Pharmaceutical companies, Monsanto, manufacturers of industrial products such as: herbicides and pesticides.

While many people believe that Monsanto began producing GMO products in the last two decades, that's a well-promoted lie. Monsanto began bringing chemical fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and GMO beginning in 1934. 

When the George W. Bush administration ordered the FDA to promote biotechnology as a way to increase U.S. food exports, the FDA responded by creating a new position of Deputy Commissioner of Policy for Michael R. Taylor, a former Monsanto attorney. With no stretch of imagination, appointing a former Monsanto attorney to be a watch dog by a former employer whose major product is herbicides and pesticides is a conflict of interest.

Yet, Congress approved the appointment. The question then becomes why would people continue to vote for a Congress person who has no loyalty to his/her constituents? After going back to Monsanto Michael R. Taylor was appointed to the FDA as the U.S. food safety czar. Again, a conflict of interest.

Why Are Herbicides and Pesticides Toxic?

Companies that manufacturer herbicides and pesticides portray their product as benevolent to humans. This is a lie. Glyphosate, the active patented ingredient, alters biochemical pathways in the body of plants and critters. What would stop the product from altering biochemical pathways in humans? Scientists, Anthony Samsel and Stephanie Seneff have linked glyphosate to numerous diseases and disorders, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, gluten sensitivity, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, depression, autism, birth defects, COPD, asthma and reproductive disorders — infertility in both men and women. 

What Are The Dangers Of GMO Food Products?

The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) reported that “Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GMO food,” including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system. The AAEM asked physicians to advise patients to avoid GMO foods. Before the FDA allowed GMOs into the food chain without labeling, FDA scientists had repeatedly warned that GMO foods can create unpredictable, hard-to-detect side effects, including allergies, toxins, new diseases, and nutritional problems. They urged long-term safety studies, but, history demonstrates the warnings were ignored.

The Institute for Responsible Technology is a world leader in educating policy makers and the public about GMO foods and crops. 65 Health Risks of GMO Foods has been identified. See list here.

A study released September 2014 gives a plethora of evidence that GMOs needed to banned before they were ever allowed on the market. Read on to find out how “Genetically Engineered Crops, Glyphosate and the Deterioration of Health in the United States of America” pinpoints a significant correlation between GMOs and 22 diseases. Why does the biotech industry keep hiding the toxicity of their products? There are numerous reasons — the corruption of the American and international governments, the fact that the USDA’s is a former Monsanto executive and the tremendously deep pockets of mega-corporations to launch propaganda campaigns are just a few. 

Twenty-six countries ban GMO food products. The European (EU) has the most stringent GMO regulations in the world. All GMOs, along with irradiated food are considered "new food" and are subject to extensive, case-by-case, science-based food evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

How To Avoid Unlabeled GMO Food.

The most effective and simple way to avoid unlabeled GMO food is eating Organic foods. Organic food growers are bound to rigorous standards to sell Organic food products. Organic production is a system that is managed in accordance with the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) of 1990 (PDF) and regulations in Title 7, Part 205 of the Code of Federal Regulations to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. The National Organic Program (NOP) develops, implements, and administers national production, handling, and labeling standards.

Processed food, unless labeled Organic. contains at least one GMO ingredient. In my experience, the one GMO ingredient I find in processed food (including gourmet chocolate) is Soy isolate, Soy lecithin or Soy protein. Do not assume because it's wheat or gluten free that it does not contain GMO. Vigilantly READ labels. Other GMO products include, Rice, Potato, Yellow Squash, Yellow Delicious and Green Granny apples, Egg Plant, and Zucchini.

What YOU Can Do To Eradicate GMO.

First and foremost become an educated food consumer. Know that YOU are in control, government agencies, the President, your Senators and Representatives are not in control. YOU are in control because YOU decide what you will buy and eat it. You decide if you will buy and use pesticides and herbicides. Of course, you know or did you know, the most popular herbicide is RoundUp. Notice that in the spring and throughout the summer RoundUp commercials are on radio or TV at least once per hour on major radio stations and TV channels.  Does that tell you something?  YOU are being conditioned and indoctrinated to believe that the product is safe.

The commercials have catchy tunes and words to subliminally draw you in and hypnotize you into buying the product. Former First Lady, New York Senator and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton recommends how to explain GMO products to consumers. Listen carefully to her instructions. 

High-profile campaigns will continue to condition and indoctrinate consumers about GMO food being the same as natural/traditional food. YOU are smarter than a dramatic well choreographed commercial. YOU need to take it upon yourself to take responsibility to reject GMO in favor of healthier non-GMO choices, especially women who are in child bearing years, (to avoid birth defects) and young children, whose immune systems are still developing. 

As more people reject GMO food products and ingredients, GMO food growers and food containing GMO ingredients, will notice the loss in sales. Many have already and are slowly switching to non-GMO ingredients. Cases in point … Post Foods’ Grape-Nuts, Target’s Simply Balanced brand, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and Chipotle’s restaurant have committed to becoming GMO Free. However, the Chipotle wraps have not been verified as GMO Wheat Free. General Mills ceased using beet sugar in Cheerios, however, the wheat has not been verified as GMO free. 

When the food growers and manufacturers see the non-GMO labeled products increase in sales in conventional supermarkets, they'll be compelled to eliminate GMO to retain customers, i.e. protecting their market share. Simultaneously, the increased demand for organic products will drive organic prices down to the GMO price point in most instances. A win for humanity, the animals, creatures and all living things. 

Source: [1] Davison, J. (February 2010). "GM plants: Science, politics and EC regulations". Plant Science 178 (2): 94–98. doi:10.1016/j.plantsci.2009.12.005