Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)

Animals fed GMO corn, for example, developed problems of their blood (leukemia), blood pressure, kidney, liver (including significant changes kidney weight as well as lesions on the kidney and liver), allergies to infection, increased blood sugar levels, diseases, and yes, even cancer.  These are not minor problems, but major changes in the body.  These are a toxic reactions to a poison.  (Even if the same effect doesn't occur in humans, think of the repercussions of us eating the meat of animals that ate the GMO corn and therefore unhealthy animals!) 

Corn and Soy are the top two genetically modified crops and are two of the largest crops.  You can find corn and soy in practically every processed food.  Chickens and cows eat corn and soy on feedlots (another reason to choose only grassfed meats and organic chicken) so the problem is multiplied in every way.  Then there is nature's way of creating crops naturally with cross-pollination and it becomes clear that our entire food line is in jeopardy.  The real fear is that at some point, it will be difficult to find any corn and soy that is not genetically modified.  When we think of how many products use corn as a base and then the animals that are regularly fed this, we can easily see how this is a huge experiment with our lives and the health of humans everywhere.

Genetic Modification is a scientific process that changes the very nature of a plant.  Genes from humans, bacteria, viruses, plants and animals are inserted into the plants.  This is the first time that science has been able to cross the species barrier.  This allows the companies to control the foods, the farmers, and the food chain itself.  Inserting these foreign organisms into corn changes how our body will use it nutritionally (many crops now offer less protein, for example) and creates new allergies and toxins that must be fought off with additional chemicals and drugs. 

And to further add insult to this injury, because these Frankensteins can now reproduce, "super weeds" are cropping up that need super strong pesticides!  That's even MORE chemicals in our environment and in our food.  A vicious cycle, or is it a planned action for profit?  The companies who are sponsoring this research and use include pharmaceutical companies like the drug company that owns Monsanto which creates weed killer (and Nutrasweet), and corporations like Phillip Morris which owns Kraft Foods. Kraft uses GMO.

We are guinea pigs in this huge experiment.  Though the goal of GMO crops is to make them less susceptible to pests, more resistant to drought and stronger overall, the actual result is that stronger pesticides will be needed for the stronger weeds and disease, just as overuse of antibiotics has created stronger strains of disease in humans.

"Seralini points out that Bt crops create new pesticides. Mon 863, for example, is unique; it differs from the natural version of Bt pesticide in seven ways and should, according to Seralini, require at least the same level of evaluation as chemical pesticides. The same holds true for herbicide tolerant crops, which are engineered to survive large applications of weed killers such as Monsanto's Roundup. Seralini points out that these GM plants have far more herbicide residues in the edible portions and extensive toxicity tests must be performed. But the biotech industry claims that they could not afford to introduce GM crops if they had to pay for the tests normally required for pesticides in Europe. For GM crop approvals in the US, they spend even less. US authorities require only 30-day studies for the Bt plants and no safety tests whatsoever are required for herbicide tolerant varieties."*

European countries have restricted GM foods and require clear labeling, but the U.S. falls far behind in this and are actively growing GMO foods.

By definition, Organic foods are not genetically altered, but the issue is even bigger because of the potential of cross pollination of crops.  GMO crops affect our environment, our animals, our body, and our future health, and our very survival since they have repercussions upon the very essence of our existence - food.  Genetic modifications of our foods introduce new food allergens, potential antibiotic-resistant bacteria, changes in nutritional value, changes in the cattle and animals that eat them that we will then consume, changes in animals and life that consume them that we appreciate for beauty and life, and potential changes in our body when we eat them. We need to get rid of genetically modified foods.  Supporting organic farmers and not buying foods that are GMO is the best way - since this is profit driven, speaking with the wallet is louder than any letter.  When we learn which foods are more likely GMO, we can let the scientists and big companies know that it's not okay with us by not purchasing their products.

We get many questions about seedless grapes and fruits like that.  This is not genetic engineering.  This is selective plant breeding for a certain characteristic.  This process has been going on since the dawn of agriculture.  GE or GMO only describes those foods that have been spliced with other genes and DNA nucleus.  Genetically engineered foods are very different from selective plant breeding which is done for characteristics like orange for carrots, red for tomatoes, and seedless in grapes.  The vast majority of our crops today have been bred for a special characteristic that we have found most appealing.  These crops can still be grown organically.  Understand GE crops are primarily in soy and corn (at present) and steer clear of these as well as things that contain these in their ingredients list.

• organic foods over conventional which have a high potential for genetic modification
• whole foods over processed foods most of which contain GMO soy and corn
• when choosing processed foods be particularly cautious of soy and corn including corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, malt  or malt syrup, msg, maltodextrin and dextrin, corn starch, mono- and diglycerides, confectioner's (sugar which contains corn starch), baking powder (which may contain corn starch), soy lecithin or lecithin, soy sauce, tempeh, miso, teriyaki, tofu, soy milk, textured vegetable protein, tamari or shoyu, soy and corn oils as well as nonstick sprays, and any other products containing soy and corn
• grassfed meats and dairy which are not fed GMO soy and corn
• organic poultry and eggs which are not fed GMO soy and corn
• organic Rbgh-free grassfed dairy products including milk and cheese

• List of Genetically Engineered Fish, True Foods
• Shoppers Guide to GM  July 2003
• Genetically Modified Foods, Inc.  Mercola
• GMO LABELING LEAVES CONSUMERS IN THE DARK: GREENPEACE   Greenpeace, 1997
• Far Afield: Biotech Propaganda and the Truth  The Green Guide, 1999
• GMO Food Contamination is Forever  Organics Consumer Association, 2002
• Hazards of Genetically Engineered Foods and Crops: Why We Need A Global Moratorium   Motion Magazine, 1999
• GMO Crops Are An Accident Waiting to Happen  Toronto Globe, 2001
• Superweeds are Sprouting in GMO Crops  NY Times, 2003
• Genetically Modified Foods Update  Organic Consumers Association BioDemocracy News July 2001
• Is Farm-Raised Salmon Bad For Your Health After All?   -  New report says it’s high in probable carcinogens  November, 2003
• GM crops need more pesticide  March 2003
• Drug Company Owns Monsanto and Their Weed Killer is What Funds GMO Crops  NY Times, 2001
• Europeans More Resistant to Genetically Modified Foods  April 2003
• Research Fuels Fear of Gene-Altered Fish, June 2004
• Genetically Modified Corn Study Reveals Health Damage & Cover Up*, Health Lies Exposed, 2005
• Food Safety, Risk & Technology of GMO Genetically Modified Foods, Food Science & Nutrition University of Minnesota
   

• Friends of Earth
• Genetic Engineering Action Network
• Green Peace
• Mercola
• Non-GMO Report
• Organic Consumers Association
• Pure Foods
• True Food Now
• The Campaign to label foods that are genetically engineered
• Non-GMO Project