The Dangers of Genetically Modified Food (GMO)

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The Dangers of Genetically Modified Food (GMO)

 

Jeffrey Smith, author of " Seeds of Deception " (Yes! Books,September

2003), describes the pervasiveness and hazards of genetically modified

(GM) foods found in the foods we eat, many of which are not listed on

the labels.

 

There are several places genetically modified foods are found. Smith

identifies seven genetically modified food crops. Soy, corn, cottonseed,

and canola are all commonly used in vegetable oils. Soy and corn

derivatives are omnipresent in processed foods, and there are also

Hawaiian papaya, and small amounts of zucchini and yellow squash.

Additionally, there are dairy products that come from cows that have

been injected with rGBH, a synthetic growth hormone, and there are

genetically modified enzymes and food additives not usually identified

on food labels. One exception is aspartame, a genetically engineered

sweetener. Also included in the list of GM foods are milk and dairy

products that come from animals fed genetically modified grain.

 

Smith says the potential hazards of eating GM foods include increased

cancer rates, increased allergies, and the transfer of genes from the GM

foods to the cells of bacteria in our bodies, and possibly our DNA. He

states, " The only human feeding study ever conducted on GM foods

verified the gene inserted on a stable basis. This means long after you

stop eating a genetically modified food, you might have this foreign

protein produced inside your gut. One more scary example would be if you

ate a genetically modified corn chip, and the gene that produces the BT

toxin (the pesticide) were to transfer to your gut bacteria, it could

theoretically transform your intestinal flora into living pesticide

factories. . . possibly for the rest of your life. In addition, genes

might also transfer into your own cellular DNA, causing it to produce

foreign proteins. "

 

There are things you can do to protect yourself from unknowingly buying

and consuming GM foods. You can use the GMO food guide (easily found on

line) and avoiding the items mentioned above. You can also examine the

produce stickers on the fruits and vegetables you buy. The PLU code for

conventionally grown produce consists of four numbers. The GM produce

has five numbers prefaced with the number eight. Buy organic produce as

often as you can. By definition, food that is certified organic must be

free from all GM organisms.

 

What you can do:

- Buy organic produce as often as you can. By definition, food that is

certified organic must be free from all GM organisms.

- Along with using the GMO Food Guide and avoiding the products

mentioned above, there's other tricks you that can use to figure out if

something is genetically modified in your fresh produce aisles:

- Examine produce stickers on the fruits and vegetables you buy. The PLU

code for conventionally grown fruit consists of four numbers;

organically grown fruit has five numbers prefaced by the number nine;

and GM fruit has five numbers prefaced by the number eight.

 

For the full article, go to http://www.shareguide.com/SmithJeffrey.html