Damage GM Foods Can do to Your Body

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http://www.mercola.com/2005/dec/8/the_damage_gm_foods_can_do_to_your_body.htm

 

The Damage GM Foods Can do to Your Body

 

A project to develop genetically modified, pest-resistant peas hasbeen abandoned after tests showed the peas cause lung damage in mice.

 

Protein Kills Pea Weevils

 

Field peas are susceptible to pea weevils, which lay their eggs on peapods. The gene for a protein capable of killing pea weevil pests wastransferred from the common bean to the peas. This protein does notnormally cause allergic reactions in mice or people.

 

Structural Changes

 

But when the protein is expressed in the pea, its structure becomessubtly different from the original. Researchers say that thisindicates a potential for unpredicted and unintended effects due tosuch structural changes. In this case, it was probably caused bydifferences in the ways that the two plants produce proteins.

 

Lung Damage

 

Trials showed that the GM peas were almost completely resistant to peaweevils. But mice injected with the protein showed a hypersensitiveskin response, and those exposed to it in airborne form developedairway inflammation and lung damage. The effect was the same whetherthe protein was taken from raw peas or cooked peas.

 

In the early 1990s, a similar situation happened when researchersengineered a new strain of soy bean by adding a gene taken from brazilnuts. But that project ended when it was discovered that the hybridwas likely to trigger a major attack in people with brazil nut allergies.

 

New Scientist November 21, 2005

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

For a long while, I've been warning you about the blight ofgenetically modified (GM) crops on our world's food supply, alwaysconcerned about their effect on your bodies and health. Now, we haveanother clue about their potential dangers.

 

Luckily, this study -- a rare glimpse into Frankenstein-like cropcombinations gone bad -- was conducted by a national researchorganization. Had a private company like Monsanto been involved inthis study, you would most likey have never heard a thing about it.

 

Chances are very good you've eaten GM foods: At least seven out of 10items at your neighborhood grocery store contain them. That said,there's some steps you can take that will help you steer clear of them:

 

* Reduce or Eliminate Processed Foods. Some 75 percent ofprocessed foods contain GM ingredients. There are many reasons whyprocessed foods are not optimal for your health -- for instance theyoften contain trans fat, acrylamide and little nutritional value -- soavoiding them will not only help you to cut back on the amount of GMfoods you are consuming, but will also boost your health. * Read produce and food labels. GM soybeans and corn make up thelargest portion of genetically modified crops. When looking at aproduct label, if any ingredients such as corn flour and meal,dextrin, starch, soy sauce, margarine, and tofu (to name a few) arelisted, there's a good chance it has come from GM corn or soy, unlessit's listed as organic. * Buy organic produce. Buying organic is currently the best way toensure that your food has not been genetically modified. Bydefinition, food that is certified organic must be free from all GMorganisms, produced without artificial pesticides and fertilizers andfrom an animal reared without the routine use of antibiotics, growthpromoters or other drugs. * Look at Produce Stickers. Those little stickers on fruit andvegetables contain different PLU codes depending on whether the fruitwas conventionally grown, organically grown or genetically modified.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.

 

Finally, if you feel you can't afford to buy organic foods, pleaseread Colleen Huber's excellent piece on how you can do so on yourcurrent budget.http://www.mercola.com/2005/feb/16/organic_food.htm