Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
Genetically Modified Food (GMF)
What is GMO? According to the World Health Organization, Genetically Modified Organisms
(GMOs) are "organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in such a way that
does not occur naturallyi." It is the process of randomly inserting genes from one organism into
another. GMO’s are also referred to as biotechnology, recombinant DNA technology or genetic
engineering.
Examples: 1996 introduction of Roundup (glycophosphate) ready crops
by Monsanto, Bt cotton, FlavrSavr tomato, rBGH milk.
Uncalculated risk: American Academy of environmental Medicine
(AAEM) advises Medical Doctors to prescribe GMO free diets due to the
evidence of disease caused by GM foods.
• Roundup ready corn is now a superweed in California. Environ
Sci Pollut Res Int. 2012 Jan 19. [Epub ahead of print]
• Bioengineering agricultural giant Monsanto has touted the safety
of genetically modified crops, but a new study has found that
insecticide-containing corn can be harmful to the overall health of
soil ecosystems. (Monsanto Bt Crops: GM Corn linked to Soil Ecosystem Threat.
Ryan Villarreal, 4/17/12
International Business Times. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/329549/20120417/monsanto-gmo-bt-corn-geneticallymodified-toxic.htm?cid=2
•
The record suicide rate among farmers in India continues to rise, with one farmer now
committing suicide every 30 minutes. Many media reports blame failed GM Bt cotton
crops for the crisis.
•
Scientists have confirmed five incidents of insects evolving resistance to Bt toxins in the
field to date: Bt cotton in India (2010) and US (2008), moth pests in maize in Puerto Rico
(2007) and South Africa (2007) and a beetle pest in maize in the US (2011). The promise
of GM foods decreasing the need for pesticides is proving false.
ISSUES of concern
• As per the WHO the “three main issues debated are tendencies to provoke allergic
reaction (allergenicity), gene transfer (movement of genes from the food to bacteria or
human cells) and outcrossing (the transfer of genes from GM crops to organic or native
crops)ii.
• Lack of research and regulation.
• Once DNA changes have been made, can we reverse it? Pollen flows everywhere and
has been proven to incorporate into organic crops and native crops.
• Monsanto and its corporate cohorts spent $50 million to defeat Proposition 37 in
California in 2012 which would have forced companies to label GMO foods. Why is it
so important to keep something like this hidden?
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US GM Crops
• Soy 93%, Corn 86%, Cotton 93%, Canola (Canada) 90%, US papaya 80%, Sugar beets
LABELING
In January 2000, an international trade agreement for labeling GM foods was established. More
than 130 countries signed this agreement including the United States, the world's largest
producer of GMFs. The policy states that exporters must label all GMFs so that importing
countries can decide whether or not they want to purchase the products.
You do not have to label foods as genetically modified inside the U.S. or Canada, you do in the
following countries: Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Chile, European Union, France,
Ireland, Poland, Sweden, Algeria, South Africa, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Russia, India, China,
Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand.
RESEARCH
“Specificity of the association of GM foods and specific disease processes is also supported.
Multiple animal studies show significant immune dysregulation, including upregulation of
cytokines associated with asthma, allergy, and inflammation. 6,11 Animal studies also show
altered structure and function of the liver, including altered lipid and carbohydrate metabolism as
well as cellular changes that could lead to accelerated aging and possibly lead to the
accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). 7,8,10 Changes in the kidney, pancreas and spleen
have also been documentediii.” For references in this quote please visit
http://www.aaemonline.org/gmopost.html.
• In 1992, against the recommendation of scientists, The FDA classified GMO foods as
GRAS (Generalized as Safe) which allows them to be commercialized without any
testing or research.
How Can You Make a Difference?
• Your spending patterns determine which companies survive and which do not. Make
educated choices and support ethical and organic food, flowers, trees and other products.
• Download the Non-GMO shopping guide and make educated consumer decisions.
http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com
• Support local organic farmers. Through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
www.marylandagriculture.info/category_info.cfm?categoryid=46 or farmers markets in
Maryland www.mda.state.md.us/md_products/farmers_market_dir.php
RESOURCES:
geneticroulettemovie.com
responsibletechnology.org. Institute for Responsible Technology
GMOinside.org
Consumersunion.org
www.aaemonline.org. American Academy of Environmental Medicine
www.greenamerica.com
non-gmoreport.com
seedmatters.org
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www.organicconsumers.org
www.gmwatch.org
Books
Smith, Jeffrey. "Genetic Roulette", Chelsea Green Publishing, 2007.
Smith, Jeffrey. Seeds of Deception.
DVD, U-Tube, movies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6OxbpLwEjQ Seeds of Death: Unveiling the Lies of GMO.
The Future of Food. DVD
A Silent Forest – The Growing Threat of Engineered Trees
This award winning documentary film explores the growing global threat of genetically engineered trees to
our environment and to human health. The film features renowned geneticist and host of PBS' The Nature
of Things David Suzuki, who explores the unknown and possibly disastrous consequences of improperly
tested GE methods.
i
www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/20questions/en/index.html
http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/20questions/en/index.html
iii
http://www.aaemonline.org/gmopost.html
ii
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