what we don’t know…
A genetically modified (GM) food is created by taking the gene of one species (often a bacteria or a virus) and splicing it into the DNA of another (splice being the accepted biomedical speak for smash – it really isn’t such a delicate process as it sounds). The risks posed to the environment and human health by such genetic manipulation are extensive and disturbing. These foods have had deadly effects on Monarch butterflies feeding on the pollen of GM corn and sheep grazing on GM cotton plants in India. The lack of scientific evidence on the effects of these foods on human health is astounding. The few animal research studies that exist have found significant changes in immune system function, organ weight, and cellular growth in animals fed GM foods. Comparison studies have found wide variations in nutritional content between GM and non-GM foods as well as wide nutritional variations between GM foods of the same crop!
Countries around the world have rallied against GM foods and crops. The European Union has banned the importation of GM containing foods from the U.S., forcing American food manufacturers to provide them with unadulterated foods. Unfortunately the same manufacturers that provide Europe with clean food have been forcing genetically manipulated foods on unwitting Americans for years. There are currently no labeling laws in the U.S. that would allow consumers to make educated decisions about the food they purchase.
Approximately 80% of soy and 40% of corn planted in the U.S. is genetically modified. Any of you who have ever tried to avoid these foods in your diet know just how difficult it can be – derivatives of these two crops can be found in about 70% of processed foods! And for those of you with food allergies, consider the consequences of a soy gene being spliced into potato DNA (it has been tried)…
Current commercial GM crops include: Soy, Cotton, Canola, Corn, Hawaiian papaya, small amounts of zucchini and yellow squash, and tobacco (Quest®brand).
Recommended Reading…
Seeds of Deception by Jeffrey M. Smith.
Touted as THE book on genetically modified foods, Jeffrey Smith carefully documents the significant health dangers of these foods. He also investigates the corruption that riddles the biotech industry and influences the politics that ultimately determine what ends up in our grocery stores. An incredible exposé of manipulation that will change the way you look at food.
Get Involved…
what can you do?
- Buy Organic! Organic farmers are not allowed to use GM seeds or feed GM products to their livestock.
- Support local, organic farmers and their efforts to resist pressure from the biotech industry. Shop your local Farmers Markets and ask your grocery store to sell local produce (like apples grown in your own state and not those terribly pithy things shipped all the way from Argentina).
- Get politically involved – support labeling laws that would require companies to inform you when they’ve doctored your food. The Campaign is a grassroots effort to help Americans get involved and educate their politicians about genetically engineered foods. Join their efforts to pass legislation that would require food companies to label all foods that contain GE material and require the FDA to ensure compliance with testing.
- Request that your grocery stores and restaurants stop using GM foods. Public demand in Europe completely changed the food industry throughout the EU, even when GM technology was favored by the UK government – you can make a difference!
- Join Jeffrey Smith’s campaign to keep GM foods out of our schools! Growing bodies are the most susceptible to the dangers of GM foods. Find out more on his website: www.seedsofdeception.com