The following were researched and compiled by the
Label GMOs Grassroots Committee
They are in the public domain, so you are free to distribute and republish them.
GMO Fact #1
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are laboratory creations of
agricultural biotechnology engineered by forcing DNA from a foreign species into plants or animals. This
foreign DNA may be froma
virus, bacteria such as E. coli, insects, animals or humans, resulting in traits that would not occur
naturally.
Upwards of 70 percent of
supermarket foods in the U.S. contain GMOs. While 50 other countries including the entire European Union
require labeling of GMOs, the U.S. does not.
GMO Fact #2
Animal studies have shown 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 due to health
effects.
GMO Fact #3
GM food poses higher risks for
children - In feeding studies, adolescent rats showed
damaged immune systems and digestive function; smaller brains, livers, and testicles; atrophy of the liver; and
pre-cancerous cell growth in the intestines after only 10 days of GM feed. One study showed that offspring of
rats fed GM soy died within three weeks. Bt toxin, a pesticide that has been engineered into GM corn, has been
found in the placenta of pregnant women and and in fetuses. In newborns, since the blood-brain barrier is not
yet developed, scientists speculate these toxins may enter the brain and cause serious cognitive problems such
ADHD and autism.
GMO Fact #4
Agricultural bio-tech companies have undue
influence on government institutions that are supposed to regulate them to protect public
health. Many former Monsanto executives are now in the FDA and USDA. Michael Taylor, former VP and attorney for the biggest GMO
company, Monsanto, is now the Deputy Commissioner at the FDA. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is a former
Monsanto attorney. Agritech companies give generous campaign contributions and use heavy lobbying to
politicians. The FDA has chosen to disregard strong warnings of its own scientists and allowed GMOs in our food
supply without any health studies or even labeling.
GMO Fact#5
GMOs offer no benefits to consumers or
farmers . GMOs do not provide higher yields, are not more
drought tolerant than conventional crops, are less nutritious, and do not taste better. Many GM crops are
created to increase tolerance to herbicides, which encourages more herbicide use and increases agritech
profits. Because GM plants are engineered to produce sterile seed, farmers must purchase new seed every year.
Farmers who do not use GM seed and whose fields become contaminated by GMOs have lost their livelihood due to
lawsuits from agritech companies.
GMO Fact #6
Overuse of herbicide on GM crops has led
to super-weeds that require super-toxic herbicides,
increased incidence of deadly plant diseases, degradation of the soil, and pollution of
waterways.
GMO Fact #7
GMOs are widespread in our food
supply. U.S. supermarkets sell products containing unlabeled ingredients from
genetically engineered soybeans, sugar beets, corn, canola and cottonseed. Genetically engineered Hawaiian
papaya, zucchini and crook neck squash are also sold in
the U.S. The bovine growth hormone rBGH is genetically engineered. Livestock are routinely raised on feed
containing GM soy, corn and cottonseed. The FDA has recently deregulated GM alfalfa, a common feed crop for
dairy cattle. The FDA is weighing approval of GM salmon and a variety of other foods.
GMO Fact #8
GMOs could be contributing to the increases seen in
childhood food allergies, asthma and autism, which
have risen dramatically over the past 15 years since GMOs were introduced. The process of creating GMOs
can increase levels of existing allergens, or introduce new allergens. GMO animal feeding studies show
immune dysregulation, which is associated with asthma. The pesticide Bt from GM corn has been found in
the bloodstream of women and fetuses; pesticides are linked to Autism via their potential to affect
changes in the fetal brain.
GMO Fact #9
GMOs can be avoided by using the Non-GMO Shopping
Guide or choosing organic foods. The most at-risk ingredients are corn, soy,
cottonseed and canola. The guide available at nongmoshoppingguide.com
tells how to avoid hidden GM ingredients,
e.g. lecithin, modified food starch and high fructose corn syrup. Certified organic products cannot
intentionally contain any genetically engineered ingredients.
GMO Fact #10
You
can make a difference! Here are action steps recommended
by Karen Hudson, Sonoma County Coordinator of Label GMOs Grassroots
Committee encourages everyone to do:
*Contact carighttoknow.org to endorse, donate, volunteer, and
get more information.
*Watch "Future of Food," "The World
According to Monsanto" or
*Jeffrey Smith's new video "Genetic
Roulette."
*Check out Nutiva's 2 min. video on
Youtube: "What is a GMO?".
*Forward this article to everyone in your
network.
*And if you are a California voter,
Vote Yes on Prop 37.
Tags: gmo genetically engineered foods ge foods genetic roulette glyphosate gm foods genetically modified organisms genetically modified foods genetically modified chips glyphosate gmo soy gmo corn genetically modified food dangers