Did We Jump The Gun On GM Foods?
By KimmiS
Better Safe Than Sorry
There is a lot of buzz around the idea of genetically modifying our foods. The FDA swears they are safe, but online polls and reports show up to 90% of people want GM foods to be labeled as such so they can make informed choices about their dinner. Are they safe or aren’t they? The FDA has a bad rap for misleading the public and making poor decisions about food and drug safety. Studies by independent parties and international studies have found some very controversial evidence regarding GM foods.
Perhaps the most substantial claim against the validity of the FDA’s studies saying that GE foods are safe, is the fact that the studies run for only 30-90 days. There is no way to track long term effects of the food, especially through generations. There have been very unfortunate cases where the FDA approved a drug and later found out it had potentially lethal effects on the next generation (see diethylstilbestrol link below). Although this may sound like an extreme example, remember that when Monsanto is modifying foods, they are essentially adding drugs to their DNA. When studies are done on pesticides, they are required to be tested for at least 2 years, and 1/3 of the side effects don’t show up until the end of that time.
A 2011 study from Europe identified GM foods as having organ disrupting effects on mice and rats. In most cases the liver and kidneys were affected, although the researchers point out that other organs are also at risk, including the heart, spleen and blood cells.
Another problem with changing food DNA is that the plants metabolic pathways could also be altered, potentially producing new metabolites that are inedible or toxic to humans. A UK study in 2005 found this to be true in some GM potatoes.
Unfortunately since there are no requirements for GMO’s to be labeled in America, there is no way to track the consumption of these foods on the public, and so no way to evaluate their effects on humans. Due to the inclusion of modified corn and soy in most packaged and processed products, the majority of people are exposed to GMO’s in one way or another. Could this be one more reason why some of the most developed nations are also the sickest?
Do you think GM food should be labelled?
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