This post is inspired by my husband, who loves to debate. Since this topic goes back and forth in my home, maybe it does in yours as well. I’ll go over what GMOs are, why some people think they are going to feed the world…, why I think they’re wrong, and how the food industry is sneaking them into your food.
First off, lets discuss what Genetically Modified Organism actually means. To put it simply, it is injecting plants and animals with alternate DNA to change its genetic makeup through biotechnology (genetic engineering). Most often, the genetic modifications involve resistance to pesticides and herbicides, growing crops to be larger in size, or making it resistant to typical diseases or issues of a particular crop. Doesn’t sound all bad, does it?
The case FOR GMOs
Drought. An increasing problem
So what would be the reason to genetically modify something? As mentioned above, the theory is that if we make these modifications, make these crops more resilient, we can effectively, feed the world. Another modification to this end is drought resistance. Essentially, this would be genetically modifying plants with the specific genes of other drought resistant plants, so that they in turn would have the same advantages. This would be of great use in areas where the soil is just not getting enough water to be fertile. And with the increasing deforestation and massive turnover of natural lands into farm land, this soil too is becoming less fertile and has more problems holding water than land covered with natural vegetation.
Nutrient enhanced food
Another idea has been to genetically modify rice so that it has a higher nutrient content. The Rockefeller foundation ( a non profit organization) was working on this project, with a hope to offer it free to third world countries. The grants however, have not been reinstated. Possibly because of the current GM controversy, or possibly because of issues that arose in creating the genetic modifications.
So these are 2 great reasons to consider supporting genetic modification, and I can understand why it may worth exploring further. Neither of those theoretical reasons for genetically modifying foods are actually happening right now. I’m also not referencing cross breeding, what the pro GM front likes to use to say that we’ve been genetically modifying food for 12,000 years. I’m talking about what is currently happening, a genetic modification to the food we eat, with insect, herbicide, and pesticide resistant genes. The advantage of creating disease and pest resistance in our crops is not for the consumer’s (yours and mine) benefit. This is not the feed the world platform that is being pushed. It’s the make money, at our expense, without our consent, reality. So now that we’ve explored the positives, let’s see what the anti GMO contingent is basing their views on.
The case against GMOs
I would be negligent if I continued without introducing you to Monsanto. This company has a chokehold on the GM market and has their hands in every legislative office, that can help push their agenda. Previous Monsanto employees have gone to work at the FDA, homeland security, U.S. dept. of agriculture, Congress and the Senate. To put it lightly, this company has a major influence on legislation and a monopoly on GM seeds.
Monsanto is a chemical company that has taken over the food industry (they are the produces of both agent orange and roundup). Their most well known GM crops are corn (they own 80% of the GM corn market), and soy (93% of this market). These same crops have been genetically modified with B.t., or Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacterium that produces crystals which are lethal to insect larvae. Essentially, this means that the GM corn/soy is producing its own pesticide. Another common genetic modification is to make crops glyphosate resistant (glyphosate is the active ingredient in roundup). This means that farmers can spray their fields down with roundup, without avoiding spraying the crops, because it will no longer damage them. The purpose is to save farmers time and money because they don’t have to avoid the food crop.
What does this practice do to us, other living things, and the environment? NOTHING GOOD.
Killing the environment
First, let’s look at the environmental impact. These crystals that form to kill insect larvae are indiscriminate. So while the crop eating insects are killed off, so are the monarch butterfly caterpillars that come in contact with GM corn pollen while they eating in neighboring milkweed fields. There’s also a growing concern that the bee population is collapsing because of the use of neonicotinoids, a class of pesticides being used by farmers that grow GM crops. This is a significant problem as bees are crucial in the continuation for most plant growth.
Superweeds
Then we look at superweeds. Have you heard of superbugs? I talk about it in a previous post about organics, but in short, the weak bugs get killed off by antibiotics, while the stronger ones that adapt, become resistant to antibiotics and other treatments. This is what we’re dealing with when we talk superweeds. As crops get sprayed with herbicides, the weak weeds die off, while the stronger ones continue to grow and become resistant to the treatments, creating superweeds. This also creates a need to spray with more potent chemicals, and creates a cycle of resistant weeds and more toxic chemicals being sprayed on our food.
Over spraying crops with pesticides
Now that crops are resistant to glyphosate, there is no need to avoid spraying them down, which means it’s all over our produce. Now we not only have GMO fruits and vegetables, but now they’re being sprayed down with stronger herbicides and pesticides than ever before. While washing produce has always been important, it’s become critical. Unfortunately for us, these chemicals are made to withstand water treatment, so that they don’t wash off the crops when it rains. Additionally, many of our fruits and vegetables with thin skins have actually been found to contain these chemicals beyond the skin barrier (apples, pears, tomatoes, grapes, etc.). So even after washing, some of these food will still harbor toxic chemicals in them.
Research
I think the most important point to be made against GMOs in our food supply, is the absolute LACK OF RESEARCH! Monsanto has done some research on their GMO plants, and they claim that they are perfectly safe for consumption. Others, including one famous study by Gilles-Eric Seralinis, published in Food and Chemical Toxicity (vol.50 issue 11, Nov.2012) showed that over just 2 years, rats fed GM corn developed cancer, tumors, and other serious health issues. The study has been called flawed for having too few case studies, but, it’s still highly regarded by many scientists. It has recently been republished, to include his data. There are definitely other studies being conducted, and it’s important to know who is funding the research. Unfortunately, Monsanto does not allow independent testing on their GM seeds, so their research is all we have to go on regarding their particular seed. At this point enough has come out to suggest that GM crops are having a detrimental and sometimes lethal effect on our health, and I’m just not willing to take the chance.
Potential health implication
So let’s talk about what we’re seeing more of in our society, that some research says could have a correlation to GMOs: potentially life threatening food allergies, chronic inflammation, and an increase in cancer. I cannot claim that there is a direct correlation, but I can claim some common sense. When you put foreign foods into your body, it has to figure out what it is, and what to do with it. Genetically modified food is not recognized by your body. It sees it as a foreign object and proceeds in trying to protect you from potential damage from this foreign body. One way is for the body to create an inflammation response, calling all of its fighters to contain and fight this intruder. In many cases, with daily consumption of inflammatory foods (many times without our knowledge), we end up in a state of chronic inflammation. Over time, this breaks our body down. Allergies, are considered a heightened response to a foreign substance. While this has traditionally been thought of as fur, pollen or dust, GMOs definitely fall into the category of substances that our body considers a foreign substance.
What the rest of the world is doing
There’s a reason that some states in Brazil have banned GM crops, Europe requires labeling, and other countries are working towards regulation. There is just not enough evidence to support GM foods being safe. I don’t believe that it’s ethical in any way to unknowingly test on the public, but that’s what’s being done. If they’re safe, then produce the evidence, and label foods as being such. If they aren’t, or the evidence is inconclusive, we have the right to avoid them. So why is the GMO label so confusing, and why is there so much controversy surrounding them? I believe that first the controversy lies in the theoretical use of GMOs and the actual uses (as stated above). Secondly, and more pressingly, it’s because the people that stand to make money, want you to be confused. There’s a web of secrecy surrounding GM research and a flood of money going in to convince you that there’s nothing to worry about. More so, there’s a flood of money being poured into getting laws passed to suppress GMO labeling. Recently, Vermont passed a law for mandatory GMO labeling (read Today’s article here). They are now being sued by 4 different companies, including the Grocery manufacturers association, saying that the law is unconstitutional. The fear of course is that other states will follow suit. Incidentally, Vermont has estimated that this will affect 8 out of 10 grocery food items.
I realize that there is counter information for just about everything you read. One study makes a claim, and the next, says the exact opposite. I think a common sense approach is really needed to discern the truth out there, especially today. Look at who funded the studies that you’re reading, and who stands to make, or lose money with certain evidence. At this point, I have done so much research in the food industry that just about every claim I’ve ever read, has a counter. So for me, it’s the simplest approach I can find, leaving the most control in my hands. I don’t trust GMOs, and I don’t trust the companies that created them, push them, and stand to make the most money off of them. I don’t trust anything that operates on keeping people unaware.
With that said, my steps to avoid GMOS (and make educated choices)are as follows:
- Organic and non GMO project labels are the only ones that insure the product is non GMO, look for these whenever possible (USDA requires 95% of a product to be organic in order to use the label)
- When buying local, ask if it’s organic or pesticide free (a common labeled used when farms are in the process of getting the organic label)
- Read labels incessantly (the more you do it, the more it will become a natural habit). If it’s not organic or non GMO, try to avoid corn, soy, canola, and sugar beets in products.
- Look for your packaged foods to have as few ingredients as possible, and make sure you know what they are.
- Be aware that meat, dairy, restaurant food and alcohol may not be included in GMO labeling laws, and will more than likely contain them, in some form.
- Some Squash, zucchini, bananas, strawberries, and tomatoes have be genetically modified for a longer shelf life
- 75% of Papaya is genetically modified to defend against ringspot virus
Avoid These
Remember, it’s not about being perfect, it’s about being informed and doing the best you can. I still eat out, and I don’t ask my friends and family for ingredient lists when we get together. I do my best with what’s in my control, kindly educate where possible, and put my money towards the products I want to see more of. If we all do this, we send a message that we demand truth in labeling, and refuse to be leave our health in someone else’s hands.
Seize Every Moment!
