Written by Patrick Massey, MD, PhD, Daily Herald Columnist.
Years ago, the idea of genetically modified food might have seemed like a breakthrough found only in science-fiction. Genetically modified food (GMO – genetically modified organisms) promised to end hunger as we know it. It was speculated that there would be massive increases in food yield, nutritional quality and resistance to insects. The truth however seems to be something very different.
Genetically modified food is increasingly common in our diet because farmers are being encouraged to use genetically modified corn, soybean, etc. The genetic modifications that have been done to the plant do not result in a nutritionally superior food nor greater crop yield. The genetic modifications usually enable the plant to resist powerful herbicides. Weeds growing in a cornfield can significantly diminish overall corn yield and weeds seem to develop resistance to herbicides very quickly. Therefore stronger herbicides are necessary but these herbicides are also toxic to the produce plant. Genetically modifying the plant to be more resistant to stronger herbicides seems to be a rational option.
Over the years, less toxic herbicides are no longer effective. And so now corn and soy and other food crops are genetically engineered to resist herbicides that are so strong as to be in the class of herbicide as agent orange.
If the herbicides simply stayed in the field and degraded quickly, the risk to people would be low. However, these herbicides are persistent. They are washed off by rain and get into our water systems. They even persist on the food we eat.
Even though we think of herbicides as being toxic to plants, herbicides are also very toxic to humans. Agent orange like herbicides are recognized by the Veterans Administration, and the US government, to increase the risk of the following medical conditions: chloracne; chronic lymphocytic leukemia; type 2 diabetes; Hodgkin’s disease; multiple myeloma; non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma; peripheral neuropathy porphyria cutanea tarda; prostate cancer; respiratory (lung, trachea, bronchi or larynx) cancer; and sarcoma.
One specific kind of corn has been genetically engineered with the gene from a specific bacteria. This gene codes for a protein that is toxic to corn weevils. Again, this would seem to be a good idea but nature always has its way. The corn weevils have already developed significant resistance to these proteins. In addition, corn with these proteins, fed in large quantity to pigs seems to have measurable toxic effects.
GMO crops were believed to result in increased yields with less use of pesticides and herbicides. The consensus from many studies in this area have demonstrated that the overall yield of GMO crops is no different than conventional crops and that increasingly strong herbicides and pesticides are necessary because weeds and insects are rapidly developing resistance. This results in an ever – escalating “arms race.”
Labeling of GMO foods has been a major area of contention between the consumer and the manufacture. Many people want to know what is in the food that they eat. Manufacturers think that this would simply confuse the consumer and that they should trust them that the food is safe. Unfortunately, theUSgovernment and the FDA have consistently sided with the manufacture on labeling of GMO food. However, this November, in California, on the ballot, is a requirement that all GMO-based food be labeled as such. The large GMO manufacturers such as Monsanto are spending literally millions of dollars to try to get this initiative defeated.
Is GMO food dangerous? The research is inconclusive as to toxicity. It is also inconclusive as to benefit. I suspected that the large GMO manufacturers have a lot of toxicity data that they have not released, but I could be wrong. Interestingly, inEurope, current levels of research is sufficient to have GMO food banned.
Some people feel that the manufacturers are evil. However, I believe that their intentions originally were good. They wanted to produce a better product, resulting in better yield and reduce use of herbicides and pesticides – all good concepts. However, the millions and millions of dollars that they spent in research and development of a product that does not really work, needed to be recouped in some way. And so, GMO foods have been forced into our foods whether we want them or not.
I believe that the consumer has the right to know exactly what they are eating, be it GMO foods, high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, etc. Most consumers today are certainly able to make informed choices and have the right to do so. I personally, try not to eat GMO foods. We have been eating non-GMO food for millions of years and it seems to be working just fine. If however you feel that GMO food is safe, that is okay also. However, you do have the right to know what is in your food.
I strongly encourage consumers to be vocal with their food providers and manufacturers, demanding better labeling information on their food. I also strongly encourage consumers to be vocal with their elected officials and the FDA…they both seem to be overly influenced by manufacturer’s profits rather than consumer’s health.
How can I avoid GMO foods??
- Buy food labeled 100% organic…US and Canadian governments do not allow manufacturers to label something 100% organic if that food has been genetically modified or (if an animal) fed genetically modified feed.The word “organic” does not mean that it does not contain GMO…it can contain up to 30% GMO products and still be labeled “organic.”
- Check the PLU # on fruits and vegetables…If it is a 4-digit number, the food is conventionally produced. If the food has a 5-digit number beginning with an 8, it is GMO. However, not all GMO foods have a 5 digit PLU# (labeling is optional). A 5-digit PLU # number beginning with 9 is organic.
- 100% grass-fed…most cattle spend the last portion of their lives in feedlots where they are often given GMO corn.
- Shop locally…ask the farmer or butcher…you may be able to avoid GMO products. Many small farms are offering GMO-free grains and food products directly to the consumer. Be careful…not all farmers markets are locally grown. Sometimes they simply buy their produce from larger distributors.
- Contract with local farmers or organic co-ops…many of these can be found online with a simple Google search.
Posted September 27, 2012.
