2013

Just Say No to GMOs

Trixie Devine GMO Free WV 4/28/2013

Just Say No to GMOs Table of Contents

2013

What does GMO mean? ............................................................................................................. 1 Example 1................................................................................................................................... 2 Example 2................................................................................................................................... 2 Why Care? ..................................................................................................................................... 3 Health Issues............................................................................................................................... 3 Environment Issues .................................................................................................................... 5 What can you do? ....................................................................................................................... 7 Works Cited ................................................................................................................................... 9

Just Say No to GMOs

2013

Just Say No to GMOs

You may have heard about genetically modified foods, and the passionate political and scientific controversy that surrounds them. Why are people all around the world passionately seeking genetically modified food to be labeled or banned? In order to understand this movement and why these activists are so adamant, it is essential to understand the background information that reveals the discoveries from scientific research in the biotechnology field including health and environmental issues. After looking at these factors, you will begin to see why people all over the world are saying no to GMOs, genetically modified organisms.

What does GMO mean?

The American Heritage dictionary defines a genetically modified organism, or a GMO, as an organism whose genetic characteristics have been altered by the insertion of a modified gene or a gene from another organism using the techniques of genetic engineering. According to The Organic & Non-GMO Report, scientists remove one or more genes from the DNA of another organism, such as a bacterium, virus, or animal, and recombine them into the DNA of the plant they want to alter. Currently, the most popular genes that are being expressed in the GM plants are those that allow plants to produce their own pesticides and become resistant to topical forms of herbicides. Other uses for genetically modifying plants are to make them more weather resistant and theoretically more productive. The main problem with this process is that the genes are inserted at random creating an assortment of proteins and

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other genetic materials that have never been introduced in the food supply before, consequently creating varieties of toxins and allergens in these foods (Roseboro).

Example 1
One example of a genetically modified plant is the tomato. A problem that faces traditional tomato farmers is that the tomato plant cannot withstand cold temperatures. Scientists found a gene in a certain type of flounder that helps them to withstand freezing temperatures, and have put that gene inside the tomato DNA using bacterium and virus implantation. This cross-species mutation has earned GMOs the nickname Frankenfoods. Without considering health risks, farmers now have a way to increase crop yield and profits. The hope was that this biotechnology would end world hunger by creating higher crop yields. Ironically, we have found that studies indicate just the opposite. Reports have shown that genetically modified crops actually produce fewer yields. (Media Roots)

Example 2
Even more disastrous than cross-species mutations is that the big chemical company, Monsanto (now the worlds top producer of GM seeds), is mutating existing DNA in plants by inundating the plants cells with chemicals. These chemical compounds are designed to make the plants resistant to Monsantos herbicide, RoundUp, and to make the plants produce/contain their own pesticides. According to Monsanto, the genetically modified plants are perfectly safe for human consumption and the company heavily advertises their own studies which show no adverse sideeffects of consuming foods that have been genetically altered. But, it is important to keep in mind, this is the same company that promised that Aspartame and Agent

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Orange have no adverse effects for humans either. In order to get factual analysis, you need to look into the independent studies that have no ties to Monsanto, or the FDA. (The FDA and Monsanto scandal is known as a revolving door for hiring employees back and forth between the two organizations.) (The World According to Monsanto)

Why Care?
The politics and company issues are meaningless without looking at the healthrelated and environment-related effects of genetically modified food production. There have been numerous health-hazards scientifically proven by a variety of independent research projects all over the world. There have also been numerous studies demonstrating long-term environmental hazards that affect our plants, our planet, and our future. There is a wealth of information online, but it is important that you use discretion and try to find independent studies that dont have ties to financial or business interests.

Health Issues
Genetic engineering of food has been around since the 1990s in the United States. Since then, there have been horrific discoveries made by independent researches around the globe who have conducted many studies related to the health effects of GM food. Again, it is advisable to research this topic for a more complete and personally relevant analysis. For brevity, only few of these findings are discussed in this report. One of the adverse health effects that have been discovered is that through the process of genetically engineering crops, the plants release a harmful BT toxin, Bacillus Thuringiensis, (that was only before found in the soil) into the air we breathe. In the 3

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Philippines, people living next to the genetically engineered corn fields developed reoccurring skin, respiratory, and intestinal problems. (Media Roots) Blood tests done on these Philippinos revealed that their immune system was affected by the BT Toxin that was being released by the corn. A very famous study in the Anti-GMO campaign was the CRIIGEN study by the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility. This group conducted a two-year study on rats. This study consisted of three groups: (1) a control group which consumed no GM foods or foods sprayed with RoundUp, (2) rats consuming GM food not sprayed with RoundUp, and (3) rats consuming GM foods that have been sprayed with RoundUp. In the test groups where the rats consumed any portion of their diet with GM or RoundUp-sprayed foods, there was a high mortality rate and an extreme amount of growths and tumors. In fact, the rate for mortality and tumors was 600 times higher than the control group. Not only that, but they discovered that 94 % of those tumors were found in the female mammary glands causing cancer via hormonal deficiencies. All of these effects manifested after the fourth month. The scientists working on this study called GMOs a Health crisis of global proportions. (Professor Seralini, GMO & Pesticides) This study debunked Monsantos research which lasted only three months and claimed that there were no differences between rats who consumed GMOs and those who didnt. (GMO & Pesticides) Other scientific studies have also proven that the growth rate in rats who have consumed GM foods was significantly slower in the second and third generations. Not only were the next generations growing slower, but they were having other growth issues as well including a variety of deformities and infertility. (GMO-a-Go-Go) For

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humans, these results have not had the time to express in a physiological manner, and there are many other factors, such as water fluoridation and pollution, that interfere with procuring accurate links between GMO consumption and these effects. But, it would be unwise to discount the aforementioned studies, along with other independent studies from all over the world, when they have provided so much scientific evidence.

Environment Issues
Ecologically speaking, the planet operates as one large mechanism- each part interchanging and affecting the others. For example, when one element of the food supply is poisoned, the toxins work their way up the food chain poisoning each organism in turn along the way. Through the hydraulic cycle, toxins in the air, in the water, and on land are transported to each of the other places as well. Todd V. Royer, a researcher at Indiana University, says that he believes the risks associated with widespread planting of [GM] corn were not fully assessed. (Roseboro) One especially overwhelming environmental impact that derives from the use of genetically modified foods is cross-pollination with traditional crops. Because of the natural process of pollination by bees, the pollen from genetically modified plants is invading traditional plants creating the next generation of genetically modified plants. Now, technically, the crops no longer belong to the farmer, but to Monsanto who has a patent on all genetically engineered plants. Farmers have been sued across the U.S. for possessing crops on their farms that contained their genetically modified DNA. This cross-pollination has grim repercussions outside the U.S. as well. University of California researches have published a report in Nature magazine describing the 5

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contamination of native corn fields in Mexico, thousands of miles away from GM corn fields. Their report also states that these crops are becoming mutated and growing with abnormalities and physical defects. This widespread contamination of crops is posing a threat to the biodiversity of crops world-wide. (Roseboro) Beyond cross-pollination issues is the loss of genetic diversity in the entire ecosystem. The introduction of GM crops has greatly inhibited the life-sustenance of birds and bees whose health has been in decline since the introduction of genetically modified plants in the 1990s. With bird and bee population decreasing, technology has stepped up to the plate, and we have now created robotic bees to pollinate the plants for us. So, in effect we are losing great numbers of birds and bees from our environment and relying on technology, again, to sustain these plants-our food supply. (Robotic Bees) Many other environmental effects have been discovered by independent research groups. A study by Indiana University has shown that the aquatic ecosystems found in streams by GM crop fields are being affected by increasing mortality and growth issues. Robert Kremer, a microbiologist with the US Department of Agricultures Agricultural Research Service and an adjunct professor in the Division of Plant Sciences at the University of Missouri, has conducted research projects finding that weeds have started growing even after being sprayed with RoundUp, effectively becoming what he calls superweeds, that are resistant to these herbicides. The Non-GMO Report lists several other studies and harmful effects of GMO production and consumption. (Roseboro)

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Monsanto, the main supplier of genetically modified foods, produces their coproduct, RoundUp, the worlds number one herbicide. The company was sued on behalf of their product, RoundUp, on false advertising charges for claiming that this product was biodegradable and good for the environment. After these lawsuits, It was proven that only about 2% of the chemicals break down, and the rest remains in the soil. Monsanto no longer labels RoundUp with such promises (The World According to Monsanto). The effects of this biotechnology are infinite, unknown, and unsustainable.

What can you do?

Believe it or not, there are actually many things that we can all do individually to combat this epic scandal. Each individuals actions contribute to the collective movement against GMO production. The following list is taken from the Non-GMO Report by Ken Roseboro:
1. Avoid processed foods containing ingredients from corn, soy, canola, sugar beets, and cotton. More than 70% of processed foods found in retail stores and restaurants contain ingredients derived from GE corn, soybeans, canola, and cotton. In addition, half the sugar used in food products comes from GM sugar beets. 2. Look for Non-GMO Project verified products. These food products have gone through a rigorous verification program to minimize the risk of GMO contamination, giving you the best assurance they are non-GMO. 3. Eat organic. Buying organic foods also offers assurance against the risks of genetic engineering because GM substances are prohibited in organic production. 4. Buy locally grown foods. There is nothing better than locally produced fresh fruits and vegetables. Buying local supports farmers and keeps food dollars in the community. Another option is a community supported agriculture (CSA) program, which you pay a membership fee to a local farmer and receive fresh organic produce throughout the growing season.

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5. Grow your own. Gardening is a great hobby, nourishing to the body, mind, and soil. You can also participate in urban agriculture projects that are sprouting nationwide.

Along with the things listed above, you can take a proactive stance on the issue by becoming a Non-GMO advocate by spreading awareness in your community, writing to food companies who may purchase GM products to produce their foods, writing to your politicians, attending rallies, and taking part in the nationwide boycott of Kelloggs products as a demonstration against their Pro-GMO stance. If you can make even one change to your current lifestyle choices, the impact will be amplified with the actions of the collective group. You can make a difference, and together we can put an end to this catastrophe and the increasingly evident effects.

Just Say No to GMOs Works Cited

2013

"Genetically Modified Organism." American Heritage Dictionary of English Language, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 2011. Web. 28 Apr. 2013. <http://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=genetically+modifie d+organism&submit.x=-784&submit.y=-210>. GMO & Pesticides Cause Tumors & Higher Mortality Rate? (Documentary of Actual Study) [VEDS #21]. Perf. Professor Gilles Eric Seralini and Doctor Joel Spiroux. YouTube, 21 Sept. 2012. Web. 28 Apr. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeW5yUSqdhY>. InfomaticFilms.com. "GMO A Go Go - Truth about GMOs Explained in New Animated Cartoon." YouTube. NaturalNews.com, n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGqQV6ObFCQ>. "Robotic Bees to Pollinate Monsanto Crops." Earth First Newswire. N.p., 8 Apr. 2013. Web. 28 Apr. 2013. <http://earthfirstnews.wordpress.com/2013/04/08/robotic-bees-topollinate-monsanto-crops/>. Roseboro, Ken. "What Is Non-GMO?" The Organic & Non-GMO Report. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2013. <http://www.non-gmoreport.com/whatisnongmo.php>. What Is Genetically Modified Food? YouTube. Media Roots, 16 Dec. 2009. Web. 28 Apr. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAP6ZtfP9ZQ>. The World According to Monsanto. Top Documentary Films RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2013. <http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-world-according-tomonsanto/>.