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photo Genetically Modified Organisms: If This Doesn’t Convince You, Nothing Will “Why are GMOs a problem? First of all, they have only been around for 20ish years. That’s not much time to find out what they will do.  Second, testing hasn’t been extensive or rigorous due to a revolving door of personnel between government regulatory agencies and companies like Monsanto that are heavily invested in GMOs (read here for more details on this problem). These huge and powerful agribusinesses successfully lobbied for the introduction of GM foods before proper testing had been completed. Because of this, we don’t know what will happen to human health and the environment in the long run. Many countries around the world, including Australia, Japan, and all the countries in the European Union, have banned GMOs because they have not been proven safe. The book, “Seeds of Deception” details the many studies and effects that have raised serious concerns about GMOs. Here’s my condensed version of a few health risks discussed on the Seeds of Deception website: Animals fed several different GM crops have had intestinal damage, liver cell and  pancreatic problems, infertility, and even died. Multiple allergic reactions have been noted in humans. Gene insertion disrupts the host DNA and can create unpredictable health problems. Gene insertion may accidentally switch on harmful genes and dormant viruses, create genetic instability and mutations, increase toxins and reduce beneficial phytonutrients in food. The protein produced by the inserted gene may create allergies, kidney damage and illness-causing viruses. Transfer of GM genes to a human may create antibiotic-resistant diseases. The risks, in general, are higher for children and newborns.” full article from Sustainable Table

Genetically Modified Organisms: If This Doesn’t Convince You, Nothing Will

“Why are GMOs a problem? First of all, they have only been around for 20ish years. That’s not much time to find out what they will do.  Second, testing hasn’t been extensive or rigorous due to a revolving door of personnel between government regulatory agencies and companies like Monsanto that are heavily invested in GMOs (read here for more details on this problem). These huge and powerful agribusinesses successfully lobbied for the introduction of GM foods before proper testing had been completed. Because of this, we don’t know what will happen to human health and the environment in the long run. Many countries around the world, including Australia, Japan, and all the countries in the European Union, have banned GMOs because they have not been proven safe. The book, “Seeds of Deception” details the many studies and effects that have raised serious concerns about GMOs. Here’s my condensed version of a few health risks discussed on the Seeds of Deception website:

  1. Animals fed several different GM crops have had intestinal damage, liver cell and  pancreatic problems, infertility, and even died. Multiple allergic reactions have been noted in humans.
  2. Gene insertion disrupts the host DNA and can create unpredictable health problems. Gene insertion may accidentally switch on harmful genes and dormant viruses, create genetic instability and mutations, increase toxins and reduce beneficial phytonutrients in food.
  3. The protein produced by the inserted gene may create allergies, kidney damage and illness-causing viruses.
  4. Transfer of GM genes to a human may create antibiotic-resistant diseases.
  5. The risks, in general, are higher for children and newborns.”

full article from Sustainable Table

2 years ago

October 6, 2009