What's really going into the body?
How many Americans actually know the difference between Organic and Genetically Modified foods? The discouraging fact is that most people are blind to what each term even means. People have continuously gone with the flow of society and are just now finally stopping to ask the question of is GMO food healthy to eat? With help from a handful of well-educated sources, readers will be able to understand why GMO foods are not beneficial for the human body. Before diving into the facts lets first look at what each term means.
What does it mean for a food to be genetically modified? The simplest definition is that it's an artificially changed genetic material within a crop or organism. Shelley Stonebrook explains, "GMO's undergo a form of gene therapy under lab conditions whereby segments of DNA are spliced, rearranged or removed altogether."(Stonebrook). Basically saying that GMO food does not occur naturally. All GMO products have in some way been altered and changed for the supposed benefit of mankind.
The next logical question to ask though is what are the claimed benefits of GMO? The GMO Industry will claim that there are five main reasons why it is beneficial. Those reasons being that there is a reduced need for herbicides and pesticides, reduced greenhouse emissions because GMO's require less plowing, which means they use less fossil fuels, the ability to manipulate foods to increase nutrients, and increased production of food to help feed starving third world countries (Natural Revolution). Though these are all noble aspirations are they truly being carried out as beneficial? The answer is yes but it comes with a huge catch. Though the immediate nutritional value may be good, according to numerous animals testing's the long-term affects are not. Research has shown that "(Rats fed GM potatoes) developed potentially precancerous cell growth in the digestive tract, inhibited development of their brains, livers and testicles, partial atrophy of the liver, enlarged pancreases and intestines and immune system damage."(Smith, IRT). This is just one of the many research projects that highlights that the genetic engineering process is not good for animal or human bodies. Even though it may all look beneficial from the outside, human health should be the utmost importance above all the other little benefits of producing GMO.
Now that animals are proven to have severe side affects what are the human side effects that occur from GMO products? Studies would show that there are four main areas to be concerned, the first being allergies. Many witnesses can attest to events where the following has taken place as Jeffrey Smith states:
"Workers who applied Bt sprays reported eye, nose, throat, and respiratory irritation, and some showed an antibody immune response in linked to Bt. Farmers exposed to liquid Bt formulations had reactions including infection, an ulcer on the cornea, skin irritation, burning, swelling, and redness. One woman who was accidentally sprayed with Bt also developed fever, altered consciousness, and seizures"(Smith)
The result of all these symptoms can be simply explained. Proteins almost always bring on allergic reactions. Proteins are created in mostly all transfers of genetic material when they go from one organism to another. This process can also increase the levels of the already naturally produced allergens that are in foods. It can even produce new allergens that are unknown to the population.
The second concern is with antibiotic resistance or a name more commonly known to the public as the "superbug". The superbug is a microorganism that is completely immune to antibiotics. Which can take quite some time before a suitable cure is discovered. One reason this occurs is from genetic engineers relying on antibiotics to guide their experiments.
The third concern is pesticide exposure. GM plants are sprayed with a Bt toxin that makes them produce 3,000-5,000 times the amount of toxins that regular organic sprays do. The rain or the heat of the sun can't wash these new toxins away like they're supposed to. The toxins even stay on when washed by a consumer. Most consumers also do not realize that "Eighteen percent of all genetically modified seeds (and therefore foods that grow from them) are engineered to produce their own pesticides."(Cook). Extensive research has also shown that even once consumed it still produces pesticides inside the body. The facts are here and they're clear of the dangers that GMO foods hold.
The fourth and final concern is with the unpredictability and unknown of the hazards of GMO. Foreign genetic material can cause the genetic material already within a person to behave erratically. Effects of this are that "GM crops have been linked to health problems as diverse as reproductive damage, cancer, Alzheimer's disease and diabetes."(Stonebrook). There is not one exact outcome that can be pinned down due to the complexity of the human DNA. The concern with this is that the United States regulatory system only deals with the problems that have already occurred instead of looking forward at the potential affects that have not happened yet. It is now in the hands of everyday citizens to care for their own family by staying as far away as possible from GMO foods.
Now that GMO has been thoroughly defined and explained lets switch over to Organic. What does it mean to be Organic? The Mayo Clinic doctors state, "Organic farming practices are designed to encourage soil and water conservation and reduce pollution."(Mayo Clinic). The main purpose for farming organically is to leave a good impact on the earth. The two main ways organic is leaving a better mark on this earth is by being better for the environment and also for human bodies.
The first way farming organically is better for the environment is by being beneficial for the soil. On organic farms there is a larger diverse range of microbes living in the soil, which then helps the crops to grow without the expense of having to use artificial fertilizers. Guy Dauncey also states " Swiss study demonstrates that organic soils have more soil microbes, more mycorrhizae - the fungi that attach themselves to the tips of plant roots and help plants absorb nutrients - and more earthworms"(Dauncey). Crops that grow GMO have a significant amount of less fungi and also microbes. Making their soil not beneficial for growing.
The second way it is beneficial for the earth is it's better for sustaining wildlife. Studies have proven that organic farms have five times as many wild plants, 57% more species, and 44% more birds than other farms. They also helped in the reproduction of animals. "Ten out of fourteen animal studies have shown that they fare much better when fed organic food"(Dauncey). This could also help potentially lead to the discovery of why so many Americans have trouble with getting pregnant.
Not only is it beneficial for animals and the earth but also it's good for humans. Organic vegetable soup was found to contain six times as much salicylic
acid as there is in non-organic vegetable soup. Salicylic acid is the main ingredient included in aspirin. Plants naturally produce it as a defense against stress and disease. When processed into the human body it helps to fight against hardening of the arteries and bowel cancer.
Organic foods also contain fewer pesticides than GMO foods do. But why are pesticides bad? Science has shown that they have the great potential to harm nervous systems, the reproductive system, and the endocrine system. Studies also show that "Children and fetuses are most vulnerable to pesticide exposure because their immune systems, bodies, and brains are still developing"(Paul). Children and fetus are more at risk but adults should still be cautious. Though a single food with pesticides will not kill the body, it can bring great harm if they build up in the body.
It's not hard to see that there is a lot of evidence piled up against GMO foods. A large part though of all the research captured has not continued to fully prove just how bad GMO is for the body and also for the environment. All Americans can do now is take the evidence that has been provided and decide what they want to do with it. Many will say that the smartest and wisest choice would be to make the full switch over to eating and farming organically. But each and every person has that choice to make up their mind and must do so according based on their own opinion of the situation.
It all comes back down to the simple question of is GMO food bad for the human body? With a plethora of overwhelming information it is easy to answer with yes. Researchers have shown that pesticides are not good for the body and that GMO foods contain outrageous amounts compared to organic foods. Along with pesticides there are many other dangerous toxins that GMO foods are exposing to the general population. On the other hand organic foods are adding to peoples health and to the environment around. Life basically comes down to our choices though. Whether or not money is spent on a healthy diet or spent buying a new car. It comes down to the choice of health or pleasure. No matter how many facts are thrown into peoples face the decision is still theirs to make and they are responsible then for the possible consequences that result from their choices.
How many Americans actually know the difference between Organic and Genetically Modified foods? The discouraging fact is that most people are blind to what each term even means. People have continuously gone with the flow of society and are just now finally stopping to ask the question of is GMO food healthy to eat? With help from a handful of well-educated sources, readers will be able to understand why GMO foods are not beneficial for the human body. Before diving into the facts lets first look at what each term means.
What does it mean for a food to be genetically modified? The simplest definition is that it's an artificially changed genetic material within a crop or organism. Shelley Stonebrook explains, "GMO's undergo a form of gene therapy under lab conditions whereby segments of DNA are spliced, rearranged or removed altogether."(Stonebrook). Basically saying that GMO food does not occur naturally. All GMO products have in some way been altered and changed for the supposed benefit of mankind.
The next logical question to ask though is what are the claimed benefits of GMO? The GMO Industry will claim that there are five main reasons why it is beneficial. Those reasons being that there is a reduced need for herbicides and pesticides, reduced greenhouse emissions because GMO's require less plowing, which means they use less fossil fuels, the ability to manipulate foods to increase nutrients, and increased production of food to help feed starving third world countries (Natural Revolution). Though these are all noble aspirations are they truly being carried out as beneficial? The answer is yes but it comes with a huge catch. Though the immediate nutritional value may be good, according to numerous animals testing's the long-term affects are not. Research has shown that "(Rats fed GM potatoes) developed potentially precancerous cell growth in the digestive tract, inhibited development of their brains, livers and testicles, partial atrophy of the liver, enlarged pancreases and intestines and immune system damage."(Smith, IRT). This is just one of the many research projects that highlights that the genetic engineering process is not good for animal or human bodies. Even though it may all look beneficial from the outside, human health should be the utmost importance above all the other little benefits of producing GMO.
Now that animals are proven to have severe side affects what are the human side effects that occur from GMO products? Studies would show that there are four main areas to be concerned, the first being allergies. Many witnesses can attest to events where the following has taken place as Jeffrey Smith states:
"Workers who applied Bt sprays reported eye, nose, throat, and respiratory irritation, and some showed an antibody immune response in linked to Bt. Farmers exposed to liquid Bt formulations had reactions including infection, an ulcer on the cornea, skin irritation, burning, swelling, and redness. One woman who was accidentally sprayed with Bt also developed fever, altered consciousness, and seizures"(Smith)
The result of all these symptoms can be simply explained. Proteins almost always bring on allergic reactions. Proteins are created in mostly all transfers of genetic material when they go from one organism to another. This process can also increase the levels of the already naturally produced allergens that are in foods. It can even produce new allergens that are unknown to the population.
The second concern is with antibiotic resistance or a name more commonly known to the public as the "superbug". The superbug is a microorganism that is completely immune to antibiotics. Which can take quite some time before a suitable cure is discovered. One reason this occurs is from genetic engineers relying on antibiotics to guide their experiments.
The third concern is pesticide exposure. GM plants are sprayed with a Bt toxin that makes them produce 3,000-5,000 times the amount of toxins that regular organic sprays do. The rain or the heat of the sun can't wash these new toxins away like they're supposed to. The toxins even stay on when washed by a consumer. Most consumers also do not realize that "Eighteen percent of all genetically modified seeds (and therefore foods that grow from them) are engineered to produce their own pesticides."(Cook). Extensive research has also shown that even once consumed it still produces pesticides inside the body. The facts are here and they're clear of the dangers that GMO foods hold.
The fourth and final concern is with the unpredictability and unknown of the hazards of GMO. Foreign genetic material can cause the genetic material already within a person to behave erratically. Effects of this are that "GM crops have been linked to health problems as diverse as reproductive damage, cancer, Alzheimer's disease and diabetes."(Stonebrook). There is not one exact outcome that can be pinned down due to the complexity of the human DNA. The concern with this is that the United States regulatory system only deals with the problems that have already occurred instead of looking forward at the potential affects that have not happened yet. It is now in the hands of everyday citizens to care for their own family by staying as far away as possible from GMO foods.
Now that GMO has been thoroughly defined and explained lets switch over to Organic. What does it mean to be Organic? The Mayo Clinic doctors state, "Organic farming practices are designed to encourage soil and water conservation and reduce pollution."(Mayo Clinic). The main purpose for farming organically is to leave a good impact on the earth. The two main ways organic is leaving a better mark on this earth is by being better for the environment and also for human bodies.
The first way farming organically is better for the environment is by being beneficial for the soil. On organic farms there is a larger diverse range of microbes living in the soil, which then helps the crops to grow without the expense of having to use artificial fertilizers. Guy Dauncey also states " Swiss study demonstrates that organic soils have more soil microbes, more mycorrhizae - the fungi that attach themselves to the tips of plant roots and help plants absorb nutrients - and more earthworms"(Dauncey). Crops that grow GMO have a significant amount of less fungi and also microbes. Making their soil not beneficial for growing.
The second way it is beneficial for the earth is it's better for sustaining wildlife. Studies have proven that organic farms have five times as many wild plants, 57% more species, and 44% more birds than other farms. They also helped in the reproduction of animals. "Ten out of fourteen animal studies have shown that they fare much better when fed organic food"(Dauncey). This could also help potentially lead to the discovery of why so many Americans have trouble with getting pregnant.
Not only is it beneficial for animals and the earth but also it's good for humans. Organic vegetable soup was found to contain six times as much salicylic
acid as there is in non-organic vegetable soup. Salicylic acid is the main ingredient included in aspirin. Plants naturally produce it as a defense against stress and disease. When processed into the human body it helps to fight against hardening of the arteries and bowel cancer.
Organic foods also contain fewer pesticides than GMO foods do. But why are pesticides bad? Science has shown that they have the great potential to harm nervous systems, the reproductive system, and the endocrine system. Studies also show that "Children and fetuses are most vulnerable to pesticide exposure because their immune systems, bodies, and brains are still developing"(Paul). Children and fetus are more at risk but adults should still be cautious. Though a single food with pesticides will not kill the body, it can bring great harm if they build up in the body.
It's not hard to see that there is a lot of evidence piled up against GMO foods. A large part though of all the research captured has not continued to fully prove just how bad GMO is for the body and also for the environment. All Americans can do now is take the evidence that has been provided and decide what they want to do with it. Many will say that the smartest and wisest choice would be to make the full switch over to eating and farming organically. But each and every person has that choice to make up their mind and must do so according based on their own opinion of the situation.
It all comes back down to the simple question of is GMO food bad for the human body? With a plethora of overwhelming information it is easy to answer with yes. Researchers have shown that pesticides are not good for the body and that GMO foods contain outrageous amounts compared to organic foods. Along with pesticides there are many other dangerous toxins that GMO foods are exposing to the general population. On the other hand organic foods are adding to peoples health and to the environment around. Life basically comes down to our choices though. Whether or not money is spent on a healthy diet or spent buying a new car. It comes down to the choice of health or pleasure. No matter how many facts are thrown into peoples face the decision is still theirs to make and they are responsible then for the possible consequences that result from their choices.