Based on information collected by the GMO Grassroots Committee Label, the following are facts that we must all consider to protect our health and make informed political decisions:
OMG Done # 1
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are agricultural biotechnology laboratory creations designed by forcing the DNA of a foreign species onto plants or animals. This foreign DNA can come from a virus, bacteria such as E. coli, insects, animals, or humans, resulting in traits that would not occur naturally.
More than 70 percent of grocery store foods in the US contain GMOs. While 50 other countries, including the entire European Union, require GMO labeling, the US does not.
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Animal studies have shown that GMOs cause infertility, accelerated aging, dysfunctional insulin regulation, changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system, and immune problems such as asthma, allergies, and inflammation. As a result of these studies, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine has called for a moratorium on GMOs. The FDA’s own scientists warned that GMOs have serious health hazards, but no safety studies are required. Europe has rejected GMOs because of their health effects.
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GMO foods pose higher risks for children – In feeding studies, adolescent rats showed damage to the immune system and digestive function; smaller brains, livers, and testes; atrophy of the liver; and the growth of precancerous cells in the intestines after only 10 days of transgenic food. One study showed that the offspring of rats fed transgenic soy died within three weeks. Bt toxin, a pesticide that has been engineered to turn it into transgenic corn, has been found in the placenta of pregnant women and in fetuses. In newborns, since the blood-brain barrier is not yet developed, scientists speculate that these toxins can enter the brain and cause serious cognitive problems such as ADHD and autism.
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Agricultural biotech companies have undue influence on government institutions that are supposed to regulate them to protect public health. Many former Monsanto executives are now with the FDA and USDA. Michael Taylor, a former vice president and attorney for the largest GM company, Monsanto, is now the FDA’s deputy commissioner. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is a former Monsanto attorney. Agritech companies make generous campaign contributions and lobby politicians strongly. The FDA has chosen to ignore the strong warnings of its own scientists and has allowed GMOs in our food supply without any health studies or even labeling.
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GMOs do not offer benefits to consumers or farmers . GMOs do not provide higher yields, they are not more drought tolerant than conventional crops, they are less nutritious and they do not taste better. Many GM crops are created to increase tolerance to herbicides, which encourages greater herbicide use and increases agricultural profits. Because transgenic plants are designed to produce sterile seeds, farmers must buy new seeds every year. Farmers who do not use GMO seeds and whose fields are contaminated with GMOs have lost their livelihoods due to demands from agricultural companies.
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The excessive use of herbicides in transgenic crops has caused superweeds requiring super-toxic herbicides, increased incidence of deadly plant diseases, soil degradation, and contamination of waterways.
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GMOs are widespread in our food supply. American supermarkets sell products that contain unlabeled ingredients from genetically modified soy, sugar beet, corn, canola, and cottonseed. Genetically modified papaya, zucchini, and Hawaiian squash are also sold in the US The bovine growth hormone rBGH is genetically modified. Livestock are routinely raised on feed containing transgenic soybean, corn, and cottonseed. The FDA has recently deregulated GM alfalfa, a common food crop for dairy cattle. The FDA is weighing approval of GMO salmon and a variety of other foods.
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GMOs could be contributing to the observed increases in childhood food allergies, asthma, and autism. which have increased dramatically in the last 15 years since GMOs were introduced. The GMO creation process can increase the levels of existing allergens or introduce new allergens. Animal feeding studies with GMOs show immune dysregulation, which is associated with asthma. The Bt pesticide from transgenic corn has been found in the bloodstream of women and fetuses; pesticides are linked to autism through their potential to affect changes in the fetal brain.
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GMOs can be avoided by using the Non-GMO Buying Guide or by choosing organic foods. The highest risk ingredients are corn, soybeans, cottonseed, and canola. The guide available at nongmoshoppingguide.com explains how to avoid hidden GMO ingredients, such as lecithin, modified food starch, and high fructose corn syrup. Certified organic products cannot intentionally contain any GMO ingredients.
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You can make the difference! Here are the action steps recommended by Karen Hudson, Sonoma County Coordinator of the Label GMOs Grassroots Committee encourages everyone to do:
* Contact carighttoknow.org to endorse, donate, volunteer, and learn more.
* See “The Future of Food”, “The World According to Monsanto” or
* Watch Jeffrey Smith’s new video “Genetic Roulette”.
* Take a look at the 2 min. From Nutiva. video on YouTube: “What is an OMG?”.
* Forward this article to all members of your network.
