Genetically Modified Food
Why It's Unacceptable And How It's Effecting us
What Is Genetically Modified Food?
How Is It Effecting Us?
One key concern about GMOs is that they have been deemed "safe" based solely on animal studies. Dietician Carole Bartolotto rites "The point is, if an animal study does not find harm with a particular substance, it could still cause harm in humans."
According to the Institute For Responsible Technology, "Human studies show how genetically modified (GM) food can leave material behind inside us, possibly causing long-term problems. Genes inserted into GM soy, for example, can transfer into the DNA of bacteria living inside us, and that the toxic insecticide produced by GM corn was found in the blood of pregnant women and their unborn fetuses."
Here are four ways that GMOs may adversely affect health:
1. Food allergy - According to the Organic Consumers Association, "The list of GM food products intersect with the eight most common food allergens: eggs, milk, fish, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat." OCA states that protein in foods is what triggers allergic reactions and "most of the foreign proteins being gene-spliced into foods have never been eaten by humans before or tested for their safety."
2. Toxicity - "A review of 19 studies (including industry's own studies submitted to regulators in support of applications to commercialise GM crops) on mammals fed with commercialised GM soy and maize that are already in our food and feed chain found consistent toxic effects on the liver and kidneys," reports GMeducation.
3. Infertility - According to the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, "There is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects." In a study on GM corn and fertility there was a "significant decrease in offspring over time and significantly lower litter weight in mice fed GM corn."
4. Gluten Disorders - In a 2013 report released by the Institute for Responsible Technology, internist Emily Linder MD states, "Based on my clinical experience, when I remove genetically modified foods as part of the treatment for gluten sensitivity, recovery is faster and more complete. I believe that GMOs in our diet contribute to the rise in gluten sensitivity in the U.S. population."