In the first post of my series on GMOs (which you can read here), I explained that genetically modified organisms are plants that have had foreign genes inserted into their DNA.
While not all impacts of GM-foods have been fully researched, specific aspects of how the altered foods may be affecting our bodies have been documented. Many doctors and scientists believe that GMOs are related to the unprecedented rise in allergic reactions, gastrointestinal disorders, autism, fertility, changes in major organs, and even cancer.
Get a cup of coffee or tea and check out this video where the world’s leading authority on genetically modified foods explains what they do to the human body.
Having a son on the autism spectrum, I’ve spent years researching the causes and effects of the disorder, and gastrointestinal disorders are a recurring topic. A large percentage of children diagnosed with autism suffer from GI tract problems, which can cause a sort of domino effect of symptoms within the body.
It’s not hard to imagine what the Bt toxin might be doing to our children when you realize that the mechanism in this poison is designed to destroy insects from the inside out. It’s the same thing that is plaguing the honeybees and so many of our other pollinators and beneficial insects. The Bt toxin breaks open little holes in the cells along the digestive tract.
The government claims that the toxin is broken down in the digestive process and that is has no effect on the human body, but there are plenty of studies showing otherwise. A study performed in 2011 in Canada compared the blood of a pregnant woman and a non-pregnant woman and discovered the Bt toxin in 2/3 of the non-pregnant women. 93% of the pregnant women had Bt in their blood stream, and 80% of their unborn fetuses already had this poison running through their blood stream Since the fetus has no blood-brain barrier, the infant’s brain is exposed to this toxin and we can speculate what sort of damage that can cause.
Scientists and doctors also believe that GM foods are behind the rise in life-threatening allergies. Food allergies affect roughly 15 million people. With 9 million of those being adults, and 6 million children. A study released in 2008 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows an increase in food allergies of 18% between 1997 and 2007.
To top it all off the first-ever long term study of the effects of GMOs found that rats fed GM-corn developed massive tumors! In the Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology published on September 19, 2012, scientists linked GM-corn to mammory tumors, kidney and liver damage, as well as other illnesses discovered in rats fed GM-corn.
Really makes you want to run out and buy a bag of Doritos and a bottle of Mountain Dew, huh?
But scientists and doctors are not waiting for the proof of the research studies, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine recommends that all doctors prescribe a diet free from GMOs for all of their patients, as does the Lime Induced Autism Foundation.
Leading advocates against GMOs assert that just 5% of consumers avoiding GM-products can create a tipping point to kick GM-foods off the market.
I can attest to how difficult it can be to start cutting GM-foods out of your family’s diets. Once you’re aware of the implications of feeding your family these foods containing genetically altered ingredients you start reading labels, and once you start reading labels you suddenly realize how pervasive this stuff is. Unless you’re buying 100% organic products there’s no guarantee that the food doesn’t contain GMOs or harmful chemical pesticides. And if–like my family–you’re on a tight budget, it can seem like an utterly hopeless pursuit of the mythical GMO-free food.
But do not despair! Check back soon for more about GMOs and we will discuss how to keep these poisons out of your diet, and out of the diet of your children.
Have you noticed the impact of GMOs in your life? What’s your take on the GMO issue?
Check out the next article in the GMO-series: Let me decide
References for this post:
Conversation with Great Minds with Jeffrey Smith
Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful
Are Genetically Modified Foods Promoting Autism?
Massive Tumors in Rats Fed GMO Corn in First Ever Long Term Study
Long-term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup tolerant genetically modified maize
Food Allergy Facts and Statistics for the US
Spilling the Beans: Unintended GMO Health Risks
Study finds GMO corns has detrimental side effects
EXACTLY–you can buy very little that isn’t affected. Even eggs and dairy can contain GMOs–since many cows and chickens (unless you’re buying those products from an organic farm using 100% organic feed) are fed GM-feed.
I want them to stop making GM- foods now. Its in everything.