Roxanne Bentley

Period 1-2
GMO Research paper

Genetic Modification

Like most Americans, you probably dont worry about what is in your
food, right? Most people believe that it must be safe if you have been eating
it your whole life. Well, did you know that you are eating genetically modified
organisms, also known as GMOs? Due to the populations misconceptions,
there are a lot of health risks used in GMOs to the modify the food we eat
daily.
In recent years, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have become
more popular. Genetically modified organisms have replaced our diets with
genetically altered foods we consume daily, which has unfortunately been
affecting human health. Genetically modified organisms are created by
splicing genes of different species that are combined through the process
genetic engineering (GE). They are then put into food, by consuming these
genetically altered and more processed foods, you have increased the risk of
many diseases and possibly cancer (Genetically Modified Food). Humans do
not realize that we are eating these things (Label GMOs). Farmers that tend to
keep the traditional farming practice and they grow organic foods over
genetically engineered products, and are currently struggling to keep their
businesses alive. However, large corporations, who choose to genetically
modify their products, make larger profits with less time and effort involved.
Choosing to buy organic foods, over genetically engineered foods, can
decrease your health risk. It may also increase the businesses for our local

Roxanne Bentley
Period 1-2
GMO Research paper

farmers, so that they can stay in business and grow crops the way nature
intended (GM).
Living in Indiana, we have a benefit of plenty of farm land. Although,
lately in Indiana, we have not had the ideal weather for good crops. But we
still have great access to crops. Even though we are very fortunate to live in
an area with plenty of farm land, GMO companies are slowly taking over. In
the United States, there are currently 9 crops that are commercialized and
sold to consumers. These include soy, in which 89 percent of total soy crop is
genetically modified, cotton (83 percent), canola (75 percent), corn (60
percent). it is not just foods, even some tobacco has been genetically
modified. Since corn can be manipulated and injected into virtually any food
product, the thought of GM corn is even scarier. Thats not the worst of it; the
United states in one of the only countries, other than Canada, that does not
require GMOs to be labeled on the packaging. This means we are consuming
a lot more genetically modified foods than we think. Some foods that we
ingest on a daily basis that contain GM ingredients are dairy products food
additives such as enzymes and flavorings, meat, eggs, honey, and pollen in
the air contain traces of GM materials (Smith, Genetic Roulette 258). The
harsh reality is that even if we are conscious about what we eat and try to
stay away from processed foods, even the air we breathe contains GMOs.
Now that you have been introduced to GMOs, lets discuss the health
risks about genetically modified foods. Although GMOs were only introduced

Roxanne Bentley
Period 1-2
GMO Research paper

in 1996, the side effects can already be seen; there have been increased
allergic reactions, antibiotic resistant bacteria and other toxic hazards (Safe
Food). While these side effects of GMOs may seem minuscule in the grand
scheme of things, the lasting effects can be much more drastic. More and
more children are having life-threatening allergies, which can be contributed
to increased GMO intake. Already 37 people have died from side effects of
GMOs, 1,500 partially paralyzed and 5,000 were temporarily handicapped by
chemicals used in harvesting GMOs (Smith, Genetic Roulette 258). These
numbers do not include the number of children that have been born with birth
defects associated with the chemical, glyphosate. This chemical alone can
cause infertility, stillbirths, miscarriages and cancers (The Ecologist).
Researchers found that glyphosate causes malformations in frog and chicken
embryos that were similar to human birth defects found in GM soy-producing
areas. In particular, the researchers found malformations of the head and
cyclopia (where a single eye is present in the centre of the forehead) (The
Ecologist). Essentially, GMOs could cause babies to be born as the one-eyed
monsters we read about in fairytales. Seeing that GMOs have only been
deemed safe for human consumption for a little over 15 years and there
have been no long-term studies performed on humans, the changes in animal
fetuses mirror the growth of human babies. With prolonged exposure to GMOs
the data concerning the side effects is only to increase as we continue to eat

Roxanne Bentley
Period 1-2
GMO Research paper

GMOs without considered the effects they can have on our bodies and
procreation of future generations.
While effects may be only starting to surface amongst humans, tests on
animals have been going on for a longer period of time. As a result, animals
have been suffering because of the health complications brought on by
GMOs. Jeffrey M. Smith, a leader in promoting healthier non-GMO food
choices, writes in the introduction to his book, Genetic Roulette about the
many side effects of GMOs that were displayed during animal testing.
Lab animals tested with GM foods had stunted growth, impaired
immune systems, bleeding stomachs, abnormal and potentially cancerous cell
growth in the intestines, impaired blood cell development, misshapen cell
structures in the liver, pancreas, and testicles, altered gene expression and
cell metabolism, liver and kidney lesions, partially atrophied livers, inflamed
kidneys, less developed brains and testicles, enlarged livers, pancreases, and
intestines reduced digestive enzymes, higher blood sugar, inflamed lung
tissue, increased death rates and higher offspring mortality. (Smith, Genetic
Roulette 5).
Looking at the results of GMOs on animals demonstrates how
consuming these mutations can lead to serious health risks. So not only are
most body parts affected, the animals lifespans are shortened and their
offspring have a lower chance of survival. If this were any indication as to how
humans will be affected after long-term exposure to GMOs, then we would not

Roxanne Bentley
Period 1-2
GMO Research paper

want to eat something that could harm my bodily organs, endanger my life
and the lives of any future children.
You are probably wondering, how are GMOs created?, well protein
synthesis has helped the process of GMOs. Protein synthesis is the first step
in the process of making GMOs.The first step in protein synthesis is the
transcription of mRNA from a DNA gene in the nucleus. At some other prior
time, the various other types of RNA have been synthesized using the
appropriate DNA. The RNAs migrate from the nucleus into the cytoplasm. As
you can tell, protein synthesis helps the process of changing the DNA in
humans and animals.
As shocking as the statistics about animals are, even more so is the
potential for increased chances of disease and cancerous cells to produce.
Cancer is a disease that is caused by a lack of vitamins and the poisonous
chemical substances found in our food (Nacci 25). By adding more chemicals
to our foods, chances of developing the degenerative disease only increase.
An Italian physician named Giuseppe Nacci confirms this idea by explaining
how the changes of our composition can increase our chances for disease:
The delicate biochemical balance of the human race depends on plant
species remaining integral, just as evolution created them, because the
health of every one of us is based on the biochemical human cellthrough
the complexity of the DNA, on the use of thousands of vitamins and of the
herbal-chemical compounds present in nature (Nacci 25). By changing the

Roxanne Bentley
Period 1-2
GMO Research paper

biochemical balance within our bodies by consuming GMOs we are ultimately

adding harmful toxins. Nacci continues by acknowledging the majority of
genes used in GE come from living species which have never been a part of
the human food chain and actually come from the DNA not of plants but of
animals, bacteria or viruses and/or transgenic retroviruses (Nacci 26). These
modifications can cause irreparable damage though a balanced diet of
organic foods that have not been genetically changed we can return to a diet
that have kept us alive and well for centuries. Adding genes, chemicals and
other harmful toxins can only negatively hurt our normal bodily functions and
increase our chances of developing more serious diseases in the future.
Despite how much healthier organically grown food is for our bodies,
many farms are losing business to larger companies who support GM crops.
For example, corporations like Delta & Pine Land Co. developed a gene
cleverly called the Terminator gene. What this means is that the gene
causes a plant to effectively commit suicide, by producing a sterile seed
(Arkansas Times) and cannot be used again for the next planting season. This
benefits the companies that sell the seeds as at the end of each season;
farmers must purchase new seeds. While the GM seeds are sold at a lower
price than other seeds, because they cannot be used for the next planting
season, the cost of these cheaper seeds increase over time. This means even
more money comes out of the farmers pockets. By not being able to save the
seeds from the previous year, farmers struggle to keep their farms alive and

Roxanne Bentley
Period 1-2
GMO Research paper

have no way of returning to the organic farming they had done previously.
Once a GM crop is planted on a farm, or even someplace nearby, there is
always the constant threat of cross pollination resulting in unwanted and
unnecessary trouble with large corporations who own the patent: You will be
sued. Even though you did nothing intentionally wrong, the courts (based on
rulings so far) will side with the big business. Your seed stores will be
destroyed. You will go bankrupt. Or youll settle, at a significant financial lose
(Arkansas Times). Even farms that chose not to use GM seeds are under the
constant threat of the larger corporations taking over their business. No
matter which way farmers turn, they are faced with the troubles of GMOs
whether they want to grow them, or not.
While some may argue that only a small number of GMO crops are
commercialized for human consumption, there are countless more on the list
than one may think. According to Jared Diamond in his book, Collapse, he
claims that virtually all GM crop production at present is of just four crops
(soybeans, corn, canola, and cotton) not eaten directly by humans but used
for animal fodder, oil, or clothing (508). Using the word directly implies that
down the line we are exposed to the GMOs present in these products. For
example, humans digest the animals that have been in contact with GMOs,
which results in exposure. We use canola oil in cooking and wear clothes
daily, meaning even more contact with the unsafe toxins. Some scientists
attempt to argue that GMOs are perfectly safe for human feasting, more and

Roxanne Bentley
Period 1-2
GMO Research paper

more data surfaces claiming otherwise. Many GM crops contain its own builtin pesticideswhen bugs take a bite of the GM plant, the toxins split open
their stomach and kill them (Smith, Genetically Modified Food Is Not Safe
18). With this in mind, we ingest these safe crops every single day despite
their ability to kill other living things from the inside out. Those that argue for
GMOs insisting that they are safe to eat should consider the negative effects
of the food and reevaluate their position on GMOs.
As a part of a solution to eliminate the intake of GMOs, I propose that
GMOs be labeled along with the nutritional values. Presently, the United
States is one of the few countries left that does not require GMOs to be
labeled (Label GMOs). However, in a 2007 poll, only 11 percent of participants
said that they would knowingly eat GMOs while most of the others would try
to avoid the mutations (Lapudus 31). If we were to label GMOs on the
nutritional label found on all food products, we would be able to see what
food we eat on a daily basis and decrease our intake of GMOs for the sake of
our health. Groups such as Californias Right to Know are petitioning for the
labeling of GMOs to be a requirement for all food products so that shoppers
can be cautious of what foods they buy and make more informed decisions.
By knowing exactly what we are eating, we can make more informed choices
about our food, which can only prolong our health.
In order to look forward to a long and healthy future, we need to focus
on local farmers who still choose to grow their crops the natural way. Foods

Roxanne Bentley
Period 1-2
GMO Research paper

that are grown organically have shown to be beneficial for our bodies because
they contain vitamins and minerals that are not combined with chemicals
which dilute their effectiveness (Hinduism Today). In his article The land
ethic, Aldo Leopold writes, the conquering role is eventually self-defeating
(23). As we attempt to conquer the food industry by imposing our own rules
on how to generate food, we are essentially going to defeat ourselves at our
own game. Rather than creating foods that contain GMOs, we should focus
more on the naturally occurring wonders that nature has performed for
millions of years. Shiv Visvanathan writes, that nature was not just an object
of experiment or a source but a part of a way of life (152). Nature is a way of
life, something that is not to be manipulated or changed. Organic farmers are
an excellent example of people who decided to work with nature, rather than
against it.
Another way we can take a stand against GMOs is by supporting
farmers that continue to grow food organically. In an interview with Nancy
Gammons, who works with Four Sisters Farm in Colorado says in response to
why they grow their produce organically that, First of all, its healthy!
Anything that is toxic enough to kill one living thing will do harm to all living
things. As a farm we have chosen to do as little harm as possible
(Gammons). Inspired by J. I. Rodale, who was an advocator for organic food,
the farm tries to refrain from using pesticides whenever possible. Rodales
agricultural methods and health benefits of growing food without synthetic

Roxanne Bentley
Period 1-2
GMO Research paper

chemicals (Pollan 142) are said to be what started the organic revolution and
Four Sisters Farms wishes to keep that dream alive. If we support farms whos
purpose is to be as sustainable as possible, we are doing our part to eliminate
GMOs because organic farms are able to continuing growing their produce
and stay in business. By supporting these farms they do not have to fall
victim to large corporations who by their nature, are always trying to take
more market share, therefore taking from smaller businesses (Gammons).
Farmers that are sucked into corporations with the promise of making money
struggle to escape the debt they accrue by the end of the next planting
season. Purchasing food that is grown locally and without the use of GMOs,
we can preserve the businesses that still choose to grow their food the
natural way while also increasing our lifespan and overall health.
One way to become more aware of what we consume is by downloading
an application on your smartphone that helps you locate and avoid products
that contain GM ingredients. The app is called True Food Shoppers Guide
and is compatible with iPhones, iPod Touches, iPads and Android phones. The
app is extremely easy to use and offers information about the products that
contain GMOs as well as tips on how to avoid them. Products that do not
contain any GMOs are also listed so that customers can decide between two
different brands that are similar but differ in GMO content. The Four Simple
Tips feature tells the buyer how to avoid GMOs in any product they choose to
buy. For those who are unable to download the app, there is a printable

Roxanne Bentley
Period 1-2
GMO Research paper

version available so that even those with less familiarity with technology can
still be informed (The True Food Network). By making the information more
accessible to the general public, more awareness can be spread about the
foods we consume and how we can avoid GMOs.
consume and how we can avoid GMOs.
Now what should we do with all of this information? GMOs have not been
adequately tested on humans and is just one of the many reasons why they
should not be consumed. With their long list of side effects that are present in
animals, soon enough humans will be affected as well. Taking a stand against
GMOs is key. If we want local farmers to continue growing their crops without
genetic mutations, we need to support them by buying their produce rather
than a brand name. Not only does buying locally grown produce healthier, but
also gives promise that the healthy food you are purchasing will still be
available for years to come. Although the pricing may differ, you are paying
for the quality of the food and essentially, your quality of life. GMOs were not
meant to be consumed and conflict with our bodys natural biochemical
balance. By consuming GMOs you are putting your own life at risk. Its your
body and only you can decide what to put in it.

Roxanne Bentley
Period 1-2
GMO Research paper

Works Cited
Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S. ERS/USDA Data. Web.
20 January 2016. <http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/biotechcrops/>.
A Collaborative Initiative Working to Ensure the Sustained Availability of NonGMO Options. The Non-GMO Project. Web. 17 January 2016.
<http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/gmos-and-your-family/>.
Dangers of Genetic Engineering in Agriculture. Dangers of Genetic
EngineeringCampaign for Mandatory Labeling of Genetically Engineered
Food. Web. 17 January 2016. <http://www.safe-food.org/issue/dangers.html>.
Diamond, Jared M. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. New
York: Penguin, 2011. Print.
Gammons, Nancy. Four Sisters Farm. E-mail interview. 17 January 2016.
Label GMOs-California Committee For The Right to Know. LabelGMOs. Web.
17 January 2016.
<http://www.labelgmos.org/the_science_genetically_modified_foods_gm
o>.

Roxanne Bentley
Period 1-2
GMO Research paper

Lapidus, Jennifer. Genetically Modified Food Should Be Labeled. Genetically

Modified Food. Detroit: Greenhaven, 2009. 31-36. Print.
Leopold, Aldo. The Land Ethic. The Environmental Responsibility Reader.
London: Zed, 2009. 22-27. Print.
Nacci, Giuseppe. Genetically Modified Food Can Cause Disease. Genetically
Modified Food. Detroit: Greenhaven, 2009. 24-30. Print.
Organic Foods. : Understanding Organic Food Labels, Benefits, and Claims.
Web. 20 January 2016.
<http://www.helpguide.org/life/organic_foods_pesticides_gmo.htm>.
Pollan, Michael. The Omnivores Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals.
New York: Penguin, 2006. Print.
Revealed: The Glyphosate Research the GM Soy Lobby Doesnt Want You to
Read. The Ecologist. Web. 17 January 2016.
<http://www.theecologist.org/blogs_and_comments/commentators/othe
r_comments/686959/revealed_the_glyphosate_research_the_gm_soy_lo
bby_doesnt_want_you_to_read.html>.
Schonwald, Josh. The Taste of Tomorrow: Dispatches from the Future of Food.
New York: Harper, 2012. Print.

Roxanne Bentley
Period 1-2
GMO Research paper

Shiva, Vandana. Golden Rice: When Science Goes Awry. Hinduism Today Apr
30 2001: 58-. Alt-PressWatch; Ethnic NewsWatch. Web. 18 January 2016.
Shiva, Vandana. Manifestos on the Future of Food & Seed. Cambridge, MA:
South End, 2007. Print.
Smith, Jeffrey M. Genetically Modified Food Is Not Safe. Genetically Modified
Food. Detroit: Greenhaven, 2009. Print.
Smith, Jeffrey M. Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of
Genetically Engineered Foods. Fairfield, IA: Yes!, 2007. Print.
The True Food Network. The True Food Network. Web. 17 January 2016.
<http://truefoodnow.org/shoppers-guide/>.
Visvanathan, Shiv. Knowledge, Justice and Democracy. The Environmental
Responsibility Reader. London: Zed, 2009. 150-58. Print.
Which Foods Contain GMOs? | NW Resistance Against Genetic Engineering.
NW Resistance Against Genetic Engineering. Web. 17 January 2016.
<http://www.nwrage.org/content/which-foods-contain-gmos>.
Whitworth, Katherine. Arkansas Times. Arkansas News, Politics, Opinion,
Restaurants, Music, Movies and Art. Web. 17 January 2016.
<http://www.arktimes.com/arkansas/frankenfood/Content?
oid=863676>.

Roxanne Bentley
Period 1-2
GMO Research paper