The Impact of GMO on our food, Health and Natural Resources

 
         All mammals eat, including humans but most of us do not know the true source of the food or how it is grown. If you’ve eaten today, chances are you’ve had a food that’s been grown by a farmer, touched by science and Mother Nature. And do you agree that, because we all eat food we ought to know where our food comes from and how it is manufactured, instead of eating without knowing the source like blind folded guinea pigs.  80% of most processed foods in the U.S like soy, corn used to make flour and canola oil, cotton, Alfalfa, sugar beets, zucchini, squash, papaya has been genetically modified---- GM or GMO. (What you don’t know could potentially be harmful to you and others). So with this said allow me to introduce to you a food source called GMO, which stands for Genetically Modified Organism. It is also called Genetic Engineering (GE) or Genetic Modification (GM), which are one and the same. Genetic engineering involves the combination of two entirely unrelated species that could never cross or coexist in nature and thus require complex techniques to forcefully combine the genes. GMO is a food processing method introduced by Monsanto, where by a gene is taken from one specie and forced into entirely unrelated specie. And many times GMO food manufacturers will introduce foreign DNA into the primary plant species using one of three methods: E.coli bacteria combined with a soil bacteria to cause a tumor which allows the foreign bacteria to breach the host plant’s cells.   Other times electricity is been used to rupture the plants cell walls, thus allowing the host or foreign DNA to enter the targeted crop. Also, “gene gun” blasts is used to engineer DNA directly into the plant’s cells, breaching the naturally-occurring barriers between species. And because the injected genes can come from bacteria, viruses, insects, animals or even humans, there could be both known and unknown/unintended consequences to consumers.

          Presently, the majority of the food consumed in the United States of America is genetically engineered or GMO contaminated. Natural crops are being infected through cross-pollination; some are developing a form of auto-immune dysfunction that is causing plants to die before harvest. Fish, wildlife and insects are being born with defects, infertility, or dying prematurely, either from direct exposure or by consuming exposed prey. Monarch butterfly and bees that help in honey making and cross pollination are also disappearing. In the United States, allergies and cancer rate has also skyrocketed at a high rate as more people consume toxic GMO food and carcinogenic food ingredients. Sadly, the Consumer of the food is us. Also the number one company developing GMO plants and controlling the largest market share of GMO crops in the world is the same company selling the Monsanto long line of toxic products including Agent Orange, PCBs, DDT, Dioxin, Aspartame, Saccharain, rBGH / rBST. The use of pesticide and herbicide by GMO kills insects, weed and other pest but also is creating an adverse effect in the natural soil and aquatic resource. Super weed and resistant pest are evolving out of control.

        On the other hand, "Companies that are conducting genetic modification would have you believe that GMOs will feed the world’s ever growing, hungry population—with greater crop yields, more drought resistance, increased nutrition, and other benefits for humanity. Instead nearly 100% of genetic modification is devoted to the increased use of herbicides and pesticide, which these “ag-bio” corporations also develop and sell. The majority of their research and development has been focused on genetically altering plants to do one of two things: To produce their own internal pesticide to kill or deter insects; and To remain alive after repeated spraying of the food with weed-killers that are manufactured by these same corporations)”.------Non GMO project.org

        Genetically modified seeds have been patented as intellectual property---owned, legally controlled and sold by the GMO Corporation. This patent has enabled them to acquire ultimate ownership of the most staple food product of agriculture which is corn, soy, cotton and more.   Also, since these two products are used in almost 90% of processed food for humans, and in 100% of the grain fed to (non-organic) animals raised for meat, they also control the safety of food farm animals are feed daily and what the consumer eats, especially for those who can’t afford the cost of organic food. So the question to ask is what is the real motive of the GMO food companies?  Is it to create healthy sustainable food source or is it for profit, economic control and sole ownership. It could be both but "the most common argument in favor of GMO as a healthy food source is saying that “humans have been genetically engineering species for hundreds of years,” resulting in larger corn plants, dog breeds that serve unique purposes, seedless grapes, and the like. But this too is another misleading statement. What humans have been “doing for centuries” is called hybridization. Hybridization is NOT genetic engineering".  

        Currently, there have been no studies in the U.S to determine if the genes, herbicides and pesticides that are used in the genetic engineering food process are healthy and safe sustainable source of food once it reaches our dinner plate and finds its way into our body.   No long-term testing has been performed to assess the impacts of any of these toxic substances — neither on human health nor on the environment. To date, no American scientist has investigated the levels of toxic residues in GMO foods. Because scientists who study genetically engineered crops are ostracized if their research refutes to promote GMOs in a positive light.

Despite the lack of human studies, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have all determined that genetically modified food is “the same as, or substantially equivalent to, substances commonly found in food.” Which means GMO foods are not required to undergo specific safety tests prior to entering the market? If the makers of the GM foods claim that they are safe, the FDA has no further questions. These three groups play a role in bringing GM products to grocery store shelves. The EPA rates GM plants for their effects on the environment and the USDA decides whether the plant is safe to grow -- it won't harm other plants or animals. The FDA decides whether the plant will make anyone who eats it sick. The FDA says “companies can label foods on their own to say they are or aren’t GM, provided they keep it truthful”. And that is the nature of quality of control FDA is exercising to protect the consumer, no further investigation, questioning or testing.      Hence, food companies like Non-GMO project includes their seal “non-GMO verified” on the product to help consumer shop healthy. Nature’s Path and Gerber baby food chose to use non-GM ingredients. The fast food chain Chipotle removed GM foods from its menu. Whole Foods Market promises to label all GM products at its U.S. and Canadian stores by 2018. We the consumer have the right to know GM food are safe. Countries that require labels for GM foods include China, Australia, and the European Union. But the U.S. doesn't make food companies mark products with GM ingredients. So it’s no surprise many Americans don’t realize they’re eating them.

    In conclusion, the bottom line is, if you live (and eat) in the U.S., unless it’s otherwise stated -- or certified organic it is mostly likely that you’re a consumer of GM food. Makers who don’t use GM ingredients clearly say so on labels. We are the consumer of the food produced, Franken foods or a way to feed the world, you agree consumers have a right to know what's on their plates. The impact of GMOs on our soil, environmental resources and on health is both an individual and a Macro concern.

Because you and I are the consumer of the food produced, it is true that what we choose to let into our mouth is equally our choice. So it’s time to wake up and decide if the effects of GMO food products for you, your family, farm animals, your pets and the environment is something you would prefer to look into or over look.

A few things you can do to protect yourself from toxic food:

1. Know the source----do research it, use your instincts and test it.
2. Two, buy organic fruit & vegetable, Kosher or Non-GMO verified products
3. You can grow your own vegetables & herbs
4. Read ingredient label on the products you buy.
5. Become a vegetarian----avoid grain fed animals used for meat.
6. Choose healthy and sustainable products.
7. Know which products are mostly GMOs and avoid them whenever you can.
8. Make your health #1 priority. Live healthy
9. Find local farmers who use organic methods of farming that does not include carcinogenic fetilizers, herbicides and pesticides.
10. Get to know your body---how you react to certain food and Avoid buying soy or corn products like canola oil unless it organic. Consider NON-GMO verified, kosher or an alternative products whenever you can.

  

Live passionately & consciously ------share with others what you know.

Sources Citation:

Paturel, Amy. “Truth about GMOs” web, 7^th February 2015. http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/truth-about-gmos

“Agricultural Crops That Have a Risk of Being GMO”: NonGmo Facts, web, 8^th February 2015. http://www. nonGmoproject.org

Specter, Michael. “Seeds of Doubt” Annals of Science, August 25, 2014 Issue, Web, 8th February 2015. http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/08/25/seeds-of-doubt

Foods that kill and Foods that Heal.

Where can you go to find more information on GMO and Non-Gmo projects?

 

Posted by NontoxicLifestyle.org to inform and educate.

 

Onyinye A is a freelance writer who specializes in nontoxic self improvement, green-friendly living, whole health remedies, holistic pet care, nontoxic lifestyle (preventing cancer, illness and toxicity) and everything related to detox, Natural health and organic living.

 

Toxic City

Toxins are everywhere; in the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe. Luckily, they have little effect on us in small doses. Although, when they accumulate in our bodies through repeated exposure, they can be harmful. And their number is growing, due to the invention of new chemicals for industrial and scientific uses. Not to scare you away but you might want to take a look at these harsh looking one's below for your own safety while shopping for home accessories, fashion wears, food items, cleaning and personal hygiene product.

Phthalates is a class of compounds derived from phthalic acid with many common household uses
Sources: plastic softener, perfumes, hairsprays, lubricants, wood finishers, new-car smell.

Dangers: cancer; phthalates also inhibit sexual development of male babies in utero.


Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
A group of compounds used in the manufacture of many industrial items from plastic to insulation.

Sources: Fish, soil, drinking water, indoor air.

Dangers: impairment of immune system and reproductive system, cancer, impairment of child neurological development.

Formaldehyde
A colorless gas used primarily as a disinfectant and preservative.

Sources: carpets, plastics, paper products, shampoos, bath products.

Danger: cancer

Carbamate insecticides, Triazine herbicides, and nitrates
Common pesticides.

Sources: water supply

Dangers: detrimental effects on nervous, immune, and endocrine systems.

Dioxins
Toxic compounds usually occurring as waste products of industrial processes such as pesticide manufacture.

Sources: dairy products, meat, fish, shell fish.

Dangers: impairment of immune system, endocrine system, nervous system, and reproductive functions.

Heavy Metals
Metallic elements with specific gravity five or more times that of water, such as mercury, copper, arsenic, lead, cadmium, iron, and manganese.

Sources: fish, contaminated water, soil, badly fitted fillings, lipstick (in the case of lead).

Dangers: headache, fatigue, anemia, dizziness, constipation, tremors, cancer.

Phenol is a suspected human carcinogen that also can cause skin eruptions and peeling, swelling, pimples, hives, burning, gangrene, numbness, vomiting, circulatory collapse, paralysis, convulsions, cold sweats, coma, and death.

Pentachlorophenol is a carcinogen that can also cause central nervous system depression, light headed, dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, tremor, loss of appetite, disorientation, and liver damage.

Naphthalene is a suspected human carcinogen, naphthalene can promote skin irritation, headache, confusion, nausea and vomiting, excessive sweating, and urinary irritation. Exposure to a sufficient quantity can lead to death.

Benzene is carcinogenic. It also can cause drunk like behavior, lightheaded-ness, disorientation, fatigue and loss of appetite.

Cresol can be absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes to affect the central nervous system, liver, kidneys, lungs, pancreas, and spleen. Symptoms of toxicity include dermatitis, digestive disturbances, faintness, vertigo, mental changes, sweating, pallor, weakness, headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears, shock, delirium, skin numbness and discoloration, and death.

Flame retardants used in clothing and mattress/bedding production---TRIS,  is a leading flame retardant that has been proven mutagenic and carcinogenic to animals. Studies have shown that TRIS can be absorbed through the skin from garments washed more than fifty times.  Some clothing and household materials are treated with  tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium sulfate (THPS), Phenol, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and tetrakis (hydroxylmethyl) phosphonium chloride (THPC), another retardant, that release formaldehyde when fabric is wet. 

Do it yourself chemical dyes contain highly carcinogenic dichlorobenzidene,  which is very easily absorbed through the  skin. They can cause anemia; jaundice; damage to the central nervous system, kidneys, and liver; and death. Azo, basic, disperse, fiber-reactive, and vat dyes all can cause allergic reactions, as can florescent whitening agent.

Your alternative choice will be organic clothing or flame retardant free cotton or wool material.
 
Methylene chloride is a suspected human carcinogen that may be mutagenic.
Xylene----prolonged exposure to xylene may cause nausea, vomiting, excessive salivation, cough, hoarseness, feelings of euphoria, headaches, giddiness, vertigo, ringing in the ears, confusion, coma, and death.

Trichloroethylene is a suspected human carcinogen, trichloroethylene is mutagenic. 

Symptoms of exposure include gastrointestinal upset, central nervous system depression, narcosis, heart and liver malfunctions, paralysis, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and psychotic behavior.

Sulfur compounds (including potassium and sodium bisulfate and metabisulfite, sulfur dioxide, and sulfuric acid)----sulfur compounds can cause fatal allergic anaphylactic shock and asthma attacks. They destroy vitamin B1 (thiamin); have mutagenic effects on viruses, bacteria, and yeast; and can be synergistic with carcinogens to make them more potent.

Saccharin causes cancer.
Sucrose (sugar, corn sugar/syrup, dextrose, glucose syrup, invert sugar/syrup, maple sugar/syrup) Use of sucrose can lead to nutritional deficiencies, lowered resistance to disease, tooth decay, diabetes, hypoglycemia, coronary disease, obesity, ulcers, high blood pressure, vaginal yeast infection, and osteoporosis.

Asbestos fibers in building materials can affect every organ of the body if you are exposure to it. Illnesses caused by aabestos exposure include asbestosis, a chronic lung disease; and mesothelioma, an often fatal form of cancer. The EPA announced in 1972 that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure, as any exposure to the fibers involves some health risk.

Ammonia (including ammonium chloride, Ammonium hydroxide, Benzalkonium chloride, and quaternary ammonium compounds): These substances cause irritation of eyes and respiratory tract, conjunctivitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, pulmonary edema, pneumonitis, and skin burn.

    Hydrogenated oil
The hydrogenation of oil into hard fat (margarine, vegetable shortening) destroys or deforms the essential fatty acids in the oil. Lack of essential fatty acids can contribute to neurological disease, heart disease, arteriosclerosis, skin diseases, cataracts, arthritis, high blood cholesterol levels, and cancer.

Vaccine


  Chlorine (including chlorine dioxide and sodium hypochlorite).

  
symptoms of chlorine toxicity include pain and inflammation of the mouth, throat, and stomach; erosion of mucous membranes; vomiting; circulatory collapse; confusion; delirium; coma; severe respiratory-tract irritation; pulmonary edema; skin eruptions. Exposure has been linked to high blood pressure, anemia, diabetes, and heart disease, and causes a 44-percent greater risk of gastrointestinal or urinary-tract cancer.
Clinical observation by medical doctors has shown that reactions to chlorine also can occur from chlorine fumes rising from hot or cold running tap water, including such symptoms as red eyes, sneezing, skin rashes, and fainting or dizziness while taking shower or washing dishes.  

A reason to consider getting a good alkaline reverse osmosis water filter.

Do you understand food Labels----Identify Safe Food Additives

 Food additives (artificial and natural) are those substances or mixture of substances, other than the basic food stuffs, which are present in food as a result of any aspect of production, processing, storage, or packaging (not including chance contaminants). There 8,600 food additives approved for use with varying safety and toxicity level whether synthetic or natural for the purpose of improving nutritional value in attempt to replace nutrients lost in processing but rarely does it make food more nutritious than it would have been in its whole state without processing (with the exception of certain breakfast cereals), it is also used to enhance  quality or consumer acceptability, improve product storage life,  to help in food preparation and to make food more readily available. But unfortunately, the names of many additives do not identify whether their source is natural or synthetic, it is often impossible to know from reading label if a food contains artificial additives.

 Food additives are regulated by the Food and Drug administration (FDA) under the food Additives amendment containing Delany clause, which states that “no additive shall be deemed safe if it is found to induce cancer when ingested by man or animal”. Exempt from regulation are those additives Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS).

One good example of a food additive is SULFITE;--Sulfite is a food additive used primarily to reduce or prevent spoilage and discoloration. Sulfites can be found on product labels as sulfur dioxide, sodium sulfite, sodium and potassium bisulfate, and sodium and potassium metabisulfite. They are commonly found in dried fruits, shellfish (fresh, frozen, canned or dried), soups, vegetables (fresh, peeled, frozen, canned, or dried), packaged lemon juice, salad dressings, sauces and gravies, corn syrup, avocado dip, potatoes (fresh, peeled, frozen, dried, or canned), maraschino cherries, meat products especially in fruit beverage like wine vinegar, alcoholic wines & beers and it is not always listed on the label.  Sulfites are also used in restaurants to keep food fresh to cover up the fact that it is not fresh. Sulfites are frequently used in salad bars, on fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, cooked vegetables dishes, precut potatoes and bakery product without informing customers. And sulfite is a harmful substance and can trigger severe allergic reactions in sulfite-sensitive individuals. Asthmatics are greatly at risk and it is estimated that 10% of asthmatic are sulfite sensitive and suffer sulfite reactions like wheezing, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, unconsciousness, abdominal pain, cramps, hives, breathing difficulties and in some cases, anaphylactic shock can result leading to death. But since FDA considers this addictive to be safe for consumption by the general public, it is not banning its use, and so therefore it is your responsibility to control your intake or avoid it.

Nitrates is another harmful substance added to approximately 60 to 65 percent of all pork produced in the united states, as well as some other meats, poultry, fish, and cheese. It is especially common in processed meats, such as bacon, sausage, luncheon meats, and hot dogs, to preserve the pink color and inhibit growth of the bacteria that cause botulism food poisoning. Nitrates are toxic to our health because when it combines with amines in the food, they form carcinogenic nitrosamines that cause cancer. Also, food additives can have a synergistic effect and become more harmful when they combine. This has been clearly demonstrated in a study by Dr. Benjamin Ershoff at the institute for nutritional studies in California. Rats were given different combinations of three common food additives: sodium cyclamate, Red Dye No.2, and polyoxylethelene sorbitan monosterate.  At first the rats were fed only one of the three additives, and nothing happened. Then the laboratory animals were given sodium cyclamate and Red dye No.2; they stopped growing, lost their hair, and developed diarrhea. When the rats finally were given all three additives they lost weight rapidly and died within two weeks. Researchers suggest that a primary contributing factor to many modern diseases is linked to eating processed, low-fiber, low-nutrition foods packed with food additives that encourages obesity, heart disease and cancer such as high fructose corn syrup, sulfites, MSG etc. One additive by itself might not react by itself but when other food additives and ingredients are added they may interact and this is the real issue with consuming food containing several additives. Generally, if the label says “artificial’, or if you don’t recognize an ingredient as a food, or if it doesn’t say ‘natural’ (as in ‘natural flavor” or “natural color”), you probably shouldn’t buy it. However, the best way to minimizing your exposure to added harmful additives or toxic food ingredient/substances is to consume more fresh whole diet like fresh raw dried, and home-cooked vegetables and fruits, whole grains and legumes, eggs from free range organic farms, organic wild honey and other natural sweetener such like stevia.  Avoiding more metal and plastic canned foods as well as reading the labels will help you make sure you are avoiding those harmful ingredient in food product before you purchase them especially if you are more concerned about eating to maintain optimal health-----to protect your cells. We have already listed some toxic food additives and finally we have also listed some safe food additive for you below.

• Acetic acid is another name for plain vinegar
• Agar-agar, carrageenan, dulse and alginates gotten from seaweed
• Annatto
• Beta-carotene gotten from carrots
• Citric acid is another name for vitamin C gotten from citrus fruits
• Guar gum
• Gum tragacanth
• Lactic acid made by fermentation of whey, corn-starch, potatoes, and molasses
• Pectin I gotten from lemon or orange rinds
• Lecithin is isolated from eggs, soybeans, and corn

writer:
 Onyinye A is a freelance writer who specializes in nontoxic self improvement, green & Eco-friendly living, nontoxic lifestyle (preventing cancer, illness and toxicity) and everything related to organic living. Her work has been published by nontoxiclifestyle.org, Ezine.com, and other online and print publications.