By: Shelley Stonebrook

Genetically Modified Organisms or GMOs, are any living thing that has had its genetic material altered in  some way through human scientific interference. This does not refer to “selective breeding,” such as when certain crops are selectively bred by  gardeners over time to withstand heat, for instance, or the process by which  different dog breeds were developed over time. Instead, GMOs undergo a form of  gene therapy under lab conditions whereby segments of DNA are spliced,  rearranged or removed altogether. You may have been eating genetically modified food for years  and not even know it.

In the United States, much of the corn and soybeans produced (especially  those to be fed to livestock or to provide filler material in processed foods at  the supermarket) contain some portion of genetically modified material. From  cereal and crackers to baking mixes, veggie burgers, and even milk and cheese,  GMOs have infiltrated our grocery aisles largely without much study into their  long-term health effects on our bodies. However, The Environmental Working Group  conservatively estimates that each American consumes about 190 pounds of GM  foods every year despite this lack of research. Choosy consumers are worried — and getting mad and organized — about these  potential health impacts:

1. Allergies

Perhaps the number one health concern over GM technology is its capacity to create new allergens in our  food supply. Allergic reactions typically are brought on by proteins. Nearly  every transfer of genetic material from one host into a new one results in the  creation of novel proteins. Genetic engineering can increase the levels of a  naturally occurring allergen already present in a food or insert allergenic  properties into a food that did not previously contain them. It can also result  in brand new allergens we’ve never before known.

2. Antibiotic Resistance

Genetic engineers rely heavily on antibiotics to guide experiments. It works  like this: Not all host cells will take up foreign genes, so engineers attach a  trait for a particular type of antibiotic resistance to the gene they introduce  into host cells. After they’ve introduced the gene into the cells, they douse  all the cells with the antibiotic to see which ones survive. The surviving cells  are antibiotic-resistant, and therefore engineers know they have taken up the  foreign gene.

Overuse of antibiotics can potentially cause the development of  antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Several health organizations, including the  World Health Organization and the American Medical Association, have spoken out  about the need for the use of these antibiotics to be phased out of the process  of making GM foods. Food Patriot Sam Spitz’ harrowing story provides a  scary, precautionary warning of how antibiotic-resistant “superbugs” can affect  your health.

3. Pesticide Exposure

The majority of GM crops in cultivation are engineered to contain a gene for  pesticide resistance. Most are “Roundup Ready,” meaning they can be sprayed with  Monsanto’s glyphosate herbicide Roundup without being harmed. The idea is that  if the crop itself is immune to Roundup, you can spray it to kill any weeds  endangering the plant without worrying about harming your crop. Sound like a  good thing? Only if increased human exposure to pesticides is a good thing.  Glyphosate has been linked to numerous health problems in animal studies, among  them birth defects, reproductive damage, cancer and endocrine disruption.

4. Unpredictability and the Unknown

Foreign genetic material in a host can cause other genetic material in that  host to behave erratically. Genes can be suppressed or overexpressed, causing a  wide variety of results. One consequence of overexpression, for example, can be  cancer. Nutritional problems can also result from the transfer. In one example,  cows that ate Roundup Ready soybeans produced milk with more fat in it. In  another example, milk from cows injected with a genetically engineered growth  hormone was found by a number of researchers, including those published in the  journal Lancet, to have substantially higher levels of a compound known  as insulin-like growth factor-1, which is linked to human breast, colon and  prostate cancers. The milk also has higher levels of bovine growth hormones in  it, along with pus and sometimes antibiotics. GM crops have been linked to  health problems as diverse as reproductive damage, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease  and diabetes. Concerned scientists have been outspoken about these risks.

DNA is complex, and we have yet to understand all the potential complex  interactions. The potential hazards are difficult to predict and identify  immediately. Additionally, the United States regulatory system is set up to deal  with problems occurring with GM foods only after they occur. But what if,  instead, we invoked the precautionary principle, an international agreement that  calls for intelligent caution when it comes to new science and technologies?  Thankfully, you can protect yourself and your family by taking action against GMO foods. Choose  organic foods wherever possible (this app can help you determine which foods  to avoid), support farms that refuse to grow GMO foods, and pressure your  lawmakers to force agriculture companies to label GMOs.  The right to know is one  we must be outspoken to protect.

Related articles:

• 10 Facts Why GM Food is  Bad
• Which Companies Support GMO Labeling?
• How to Fight GMO Foods at Home

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By Dr. Mercola

Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) has developed a type of genetically modified (GM) wheat that may silence human genes, leading to disastrous health consequences.

Last year, University of Canterbury Professor Jack Heinemann released results from genetic research he conducted on the wheat, which showed with “no doubt” that molecules created in the wheat, which are intended to silence wheat genes to change its carbohydrate content, may match human genes and potentially silence them.

University Professor Judy Carman agreed with Heinemann’s analysis, stating in Digital Journal:¹

“If this silences the same gene in us that it silences in the wheat — well, children who are born with this enzyme not working tend to die by the age of about five.”

Over 770 Pages of Potential Genetic Matches

Heinemann reported that his research revealed over 770 pages of potential matches between two GM genes in the wheat and the human genome. Over a dozen matches were “extensive and identical and sufficient to cause silencing in experimental systems,” he said.

Experts warned that eating the wheat could lead to significant changes in the way glucose and carbohydrates are stored in the human body, which could be potentially deadly for children and lead to serious illness in adults.

Since this adverse effect is extremely plausible, long-term studies are needed before the wheat is released into the environment and the human food chain – but a new review states that the risks are still not being adequately assessed.

A New ‘Breed’ of GM Crops

RNA is one of three major macromolecules, like DNA. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is responsible for regulating well over one-third of human genes.

In a new risk assessment, Heinemann and colleagues explained that while all commercial GM plants are currently created through in vitro DNA modification typically to create a new protein, a “growing minority” are designed to change their RNA content in order to regulate gene expression.²

The technique, known as RNA interference or RNA knockdown, essentially turns off or “knocks down” certain genes. It was first used commercially in 1994 for the development of the Flavr Savr tomato, which was later withdrawn from the market, and has been applied in various GM crops since. As reported in The Atlantic:³

“Researchers have been using this phenomena to their advantage in the form of small, engineered RNA strands that are virtually identical to miRNA. In a technique called RNA interference, or RNA knockdown, these small bits of RNA are used to turn off, or ‘knock down,’ certain genes.

RNA knockdown was first used commercially in 1994 to create the Flavr Savr, a tomato with increased shelf life. In 2007, several research teams began reporting success at engineering plant RNA to kill insect predators, by knocking down certain genes. As reported in MIT’s Technology Review on November 5, 2007, researchers in China used RNA knockdown to make:

‘…cotton plants that silence a gene that allows cotton bollworms to process the toxin gossypol, which occurs naturally in cotton. Bollworms that eat the genetically engineered cotton can’t make their toxin-processing proteins, and they die.’

And: ‘Researchers at Monsanto and Devgen, a Belgian company, made corn plants that silence a gene essential for energy production in corn rootworms; ingestion wipes out the worms within 12 days.’ Humans and insects have a lot in common, genetically. If miRNA can in fact survive the gut then it’s entirely possible that miRNA intended to influence insect gene regulation could also affect humans.”

The Risks of GM Crops Containing dsRNA

According to Heinemann’s analysis, dsRNA-mediated silencing is becoming the basis of novel traits in GM plants, including biopesticides and altered nutritional characteristics. “Changing the nature, kind and quantity of particular regulatory-RNA molecules through genetic engineering can create biosafety risks,” the review reported,⁴ noting that, “we find evidence that the risks are not considered by some regulators.” They continue:

“While some GMOs have been designed to make new dsRNA molecules, in other GMOs such molecules may occur as a side-effect of the genetic engineering process. Still others may make naturally-occurring dsRNA molecules in higher or lower quantities than before.

Some dsRNA molecules can have profound physiological effects on the organism that makes them. Physiological effects are the intended outcomes of exposure to dsRNA incorporated into food sources for invertebrates; biopesticides and other topically applied products, and could be the cause of off-target effects and adverse effects in non-target organisms.

A daunting outcome is raised, that each [dsRNA] formulation might have its own risks.…Production of intended dsRNA molecules may also have off-target effects due to silencing genes other than those intended. Unanticipated off-target adverse effects can be difficult to detect and they are not possible to reliably predict using bioinformatics techniques. Regulatory bodies are not adequately assessing the risks of dsRNA-producing GM products. As a result, we recommend a process to properly assess the safety of dsRNA-producing GM organisms before they are released or commercialized.”

Risks of RNAs of Plant Origin Already Uncovered

One type of dsRNA is microRNA (miRNA). MicroRNA are basically small pieces of RNA that interact with your genes, essentially stopping certain genes from being expressed. MiRNA exists in human body fluid naturally; however, microRNA also exists in plants, and research has shown that eating the wrong plants may transfer this plant miRNA to humans — with potentially devastating implications.

The study, published in 2011, determined that microRNA from cooked plant foods like rice, wheat and potatoes can in fact collect in your blood and tissue, leading to a number of potential health problems.⁵ The study further revealed that microRNA remains completely stable after not only cooking, but through the digestion process as well. Most importantly, the researchers found a significant quantity of microRNA in the human body, concluding that:

“… plant miRNAs are primarily acquired orally, through food intake.”

MicroRNA has been widely shown to alter many critical biological processes, including apoptosis – the process of programmed cell death and DNA fragmentation. As a result, the dysregulation of microRNAs has been linked to cancer and various other diseases. And, as noted, plant miRNA has been shown to interfere with human microRNA by mimicking it and binding to the receptors, and also potentially through alterations in gene expression.

Most Consumers Unaware of GMO Risks

The biotech industry, led by Monsanto, is increasing their propaganda efforts to reshape their public image, and sway your opinion against the need to label GM foods. As The Atlantic reported:⁶

“Given its opposition to the labeling of GM foods… it seems clear that Monsanto wants you to close your eyes, open your mouth, and swallow.”

Indeed, many consumers are still in the dark about the very real risks that GM crops pose. The Canadian news station CBC News recently reported that despite warnings that GM foods could destroy the environment and pose risks to agricultural diversity, most Canadians have “no strong views on the matter.” Andreas Boecker, an associate professor at the University of Guelph who has researched consumer acceptance of GM foods, told CBC News:⁷

“These concerns among farmers and informed groups of consumers do not translate to the average consumer. They are too far removed from the concerns of the farming community… And if you go by shopping behavior most foods that they buy have some share of GMOs.”

This is precisely what the biotech industry wants, even as increasing research demonstrates GM crop dangers. One recent study found that rats fed a type of genetically engineered corn that is prevalent in the US food supply for two years developed massive mammary tumors, kidney and liver damage, and other serious health problems. This was at dietary amounts of about 10 percent. Does 10 percent or more of your diet consist of GM ingredients?

At present, you can’t know for sure, since GM foods are not labeled in the US. But chances are, if you eat processed foods, your diet is chock full of GM ingredients you didn’t even know about – causing equally unknown consequences to your health.

Join Us in Your Right to Know by Getting GMOs Labeled!

While  California Prop. 37 failed to pass last November by a very narrow margin, the  fight for GMO labeling is far from over. In the past few weeks, Connecticut and Maine  have passed GMO-labeling bills, and 20 other states have pending legislation to  label genetically engineered foods. So, now is the time to put the pedal to the  metal and get labeling across the country—something 64 other countries already  have.

I hope you will join us in this effort.

The field-of-play has now  moved to the state of Washington, where the people’s initiative 522, “The  People’s Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act,” will require food  sold in retail outlets to be labeled if it contains genetically engineered  ingredients. Please  help us win this key GMO labeling battle and continue to build momentum for GMO  labeling in other states by making  a donation to the Organic Consumers  Association (OCA).

Remember, as with CA  Prop. 37, they need support of people like YOU to succeed. Prop. 37 failed with  a very narrow margin simply because we didn’t have the funds to counter the  massive ad campaigns created by the No on 37 camp, led by Monsanto and other  major food companies. Let’s not allow Monsanto and its allies to confuse and  mislead the people of Washington and Vermont as they did in California. So  please, I urge you to get involved and help in any way you can.

• No  matter where you live in the United States, please donate money to these  labeling efforts through the Organic Consumers Fund.
• Sign  up to learn more about how you can get involved by visiting Yeson522.com!
• For  timely updates on issues relating to these and other labeling initiatives, please  join the Organic Consumers Association on Facebook, or  follow them on Twitter.
• Talk  to organic producers and stores and ask them to actively support the Washington  initiative.

 

TLB Highly recommends you visit Dr. Mercola at: http://www.mercola.com/ for more great articles and information.

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By Caryn Talty, B.S.Ed., M.A.

Do GMO foods cause autism? Genetically modified organisms are in many processed foods Americans eat. Independent scientists believe there is a GMO crops autism connection. Jeffrey M. Smith, Executive Director, Institute for Responsible Technology, and author of a free electronic autism booklet entitled, “Are Genetically Engineered Foods Promoting Autism?” says the answer is a resounding yes.

“It appears there is a direct correlation between GMOs and autism.” stated Arden Anderson, DO, PhD, MPH,  an agronomist, medical doctor, and one of the world’s top consultants on advanced soil and crop management. Anderson believes that GMO foods cause autism in addition to other catalysts.

According to Dr. Huber, “When you look at the intestine on those pigs fed the GMO feed, the lining is deteriorated and the critical microbial balance is drastically changed.”

Dr. Arden Anderson, a staunch opponent of GMO crops, has written a book to help patients regain health through diet.

Dr. Anderson tells his patients, “Avoid genetically engineered foods like the plague.  In my opinion, they are the plague of the millennium, worse than any plague before in human history.”  Dr. Anderson believes independent scientific studies on GMO crops all point to serious inflammatory responses in people. He says genetically engineered food can be tied to lower birth weights, digestive disorders, infertility issues, autoimmune disease, and premature death.  Corn, soy, canola, and cotton are the most common genetically modified crops in our food supply.  Consumers need to demand labeling of GMO foods. Dr. Anderson says, “GMO’s are not going to save the world, feed the starving, raise yields, reduce pesticide use, avoid droughts, circumvent disease and insects.  That is all the ‘Hollywood Con.’  It is business, pure and simple. Wild animals, given the choice, will avoid genetically engineered crops until they are near starving.”

For more complete information please read Smith’s white paper on the subject: Are Genetically Engineered Foods Promoting Autism? It is free to download as a pdf.