‎”GMO’s are perhaps even more grave than the brink of nuclear annihilation because GMOs act on the very blueprint of life itself.” – Dr. Fagan

What are GMO’s?

“You wouldn’t have your doctor design your car, so why would you have engineers design your food?

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are one of the most dangerous and radical changes to our food supply. Genetically modified plants are artificially inserted with genes from other animals, bacteria, viruses, insects and even humans that would never mate in nature, to obtain a desired effect. For example, corn is inserted with a pesticide producing gene from bacteria. So when a pest bites into the corn, the pesticide is produced and kills the pest.  So what happens when we bite into the corn?

“What people need to understand with GE, or genetically engineered (GMO) crops is that seeds are owned by chemical companies. When we sanction the unrestricted use of GE crops, we’re sanctioning the unrestricted use of these chemicals, which already are making us sick.”

Gary Hirshberg, CEO Stonyfield Farm

The Scientific Research: Human and Animal Studies

Myth: Genetically modified foods are safe and have been fully tested.

Fact: GMO’s have been linked to thousands of toxic and allergenic reactions, thousands of sick, sterile, and dead livestock, and damage to virtually every organ and system studied in lab animals.1

At medical conferences around the US, doctors are citing a huge increase of gastrointestinal problems among their patients over the last decade. GM foods may be the answer why.

The only published human feeding study revealed what may be the most dangerous problem with GM foods. The gene inserted into GM soy transfers into the DNA of bacteria living inside our intestines and continues to function. This means that long after we stop eating GMO’s, we may still have potentially harmful GM proteins produced inside of us. Put more plainly, eating a corn chip produced from Bt corn might transform our intestinal bacteria into living pesticide factories, possibly for the rest of our lives. 7

Since these seeds hit the market in 1996, we’ve seen:
*Children reach puberty at earlier ages
*A dramatic rise in asthma, autism, obesity and diabetes
*A jump in food allergies, especially among children
*Allergy-related emergency room visits doubled from 1997-2002

GM Potato Study

One of the first studies was done by Dr. Arpad Pusztai, a highly respected scientist, and involved rats which were fed GM potatoes. After only ten days, serious health effects were recorded. Some of these changes persisted after 110 days, a time period corresponding to about 10 years of human life. The following conclusions were found:

*Damaged immune systems.

*More vulnerable to infection and disease.

*Organs related to the immune system, the thymus and spleen, showed some damage as well.

*GM-fed rats had smaller, less developed brains, livers and testicles.

*Other rats had enlarged tissues, including the pancreas and intestines.

*Some showed partial atrophy of the liver.

*Significant structural changes and a proliferation of cells in the stomach and intestines of GM-fed rats may have signaled an increased potential for cancer.

Roundup Ready Soy Study

During a study involving female rats, Roundup Ready soy was given starting before conception and continuing through pregnancy and weaning.

*Of the offspring, 55.6% died within three weeks compared to 9% from non-GM soy controls. *When the offspring from GM-fed rats were mated, they were unable to conceive.

*When rats were fed Mon 863 (GM corn), they developed several reactions, including those typically found with allergies in response to infections, toxins and various diseases including cancer, anemia, and blood pressure problems.

How to Avoid GMO’s

The main foods to watch out for are non-organic corn, soy, canola, and cottonseed. GM rice, wheat, tomatoes, sweet corn, potatoes and popcorn have all been rejected as unacceptable in the global marketplace.

  1. Eat in: Restaurants are the most common places to find GMO’s. Ask for your meal to only be cooked with olive oil, not canola oil. Ask which meals do not contain corn or soy.
  2. Read labels: Organic is the only 100% way to avoid GMO’s. When reading labels, look for “Does not contain GMO’s.” GMO’s may be found in soy flour, soy protein, soy lecithin, textured vegetable protein, corn meal, corn syrup, dextrose, maltodextrin, fructose, citric acid and lactic acid.
  3. Shop at Farmers Markets: Buying local food ensures purity from many GMO contaminates, is more affordable, organic, and higher in nutrients.
  4. Buy Grass-Fed Meat, Wild Fish and Organic Eggs: Visit www.grasslandbeef.com and www.eatwild.com for a list of grass-fed farms in the U.S. and Canada.

Hidden GMO Ingredients to know

Glucose:  a simple sugar that can be naturally derived or chemically made from corn.

Lecithin: An emulsion derived from soy and can be found chocolates, ice creams, desserts and supplements that don’t use organic sources.

Maltodextrin: An additive made from starch (usually corn) used as a fat substitute, flavor stabilizer, and thickening agent found in instant soups, soda, candy, beer and other processed goods.

Sources:
1. Institute for Responsible Technology http://www.responsibletechnology.org/GMFree/Home/index.cfm
2. Smith, Jeffrey M. Genetic Roulette
3. Smith, Jeffrey. Seeds of Deception
4. Pitchford, Paul. Healing with Whole Foods
5. Fallon, Sally. Nourishing Traditions
6. Well Being Journal vol 18 NO 3 May/June 2009
7. Well being Journal vol 18 NO. 5 September/October 2009
8. Well Being Journal vol 17 NO. 2 March/April 2008
9. Organic Consumers Association http://www.organicconsumers.org/action.cfm

10. Smith, Jeffrey M. Genetically Modified Corn Study Reveals health Damage & Cover up July 16, 2005 http://www.newswithviews.com/Smith/jeffrey7.htm

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