GMOs

What is a GMO exactly? So much confusion around three little letters. Should you be concerned about them? Simply put, YES!

Why?

GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) or GE (Genetically Engineered) foods are everywhere in today’s food market. The foods we consume today aren’t the same as the foods your great-grandparents consumed. HISTORY LESSON: Somewhere in the mid-1970s a breakthrough in GMO technology came about. Using a cut-and-paste-type method, scientists discovered a way to transfer the gene from one organism to another in bacteria. Later, in the 1980s, this spilled over into the general public when the FDA “approved the first human medication produced by a genetically modified organism” (Gabriel Rangel, Ph.D., Harvard University). By the end of the 1980s and into the 1990s, GMOs hit our food source. “In 1995 the first pesticide-producing crop was approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency after rigorous testing. A year later, Bt corn was approved, and now the majority of corn in the U.S. has the Bttoxin gene. Additionally, crops have also been genetically engineered to resist herbicides, making it easier for farmers to control unwanted plants in their fields. Perhaps the most famous herbicide resistant crops are the Roundup Ready or glyphosate-resistant plants. The first of these glyphosate-resistant crops was a variety of soybean, engineered by Monsanto in 1996” (Gabriel Rangel, Ph.D., Harvard University). To break it down further into layman’s terms, the NonGMO Project explains it like this: “A GMO… is a plant, animal, microorganism or other organism whose genetic makeup has been modified in a laboratory using genetic engineering or transgenic technology. This creates combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and virus genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.” All in all, instead of allowing plants to grow as God intended, humans are intervening. There is nothing natural about many of the foods we eat today.

What does that mean for your health?

Since the beginning of modern GMOs, a debate has been ongoing. One side claims GMOs to be safe enough for human consumption—even our FDA. The other side stands against companies like Monsanto, conducting studies and fighting to ban GMO crops. But who is right? First, let it be noted that GMOs are restricted or banned in more than 60 countries! That should say something to the United States FDA. Aside from this, however, there have been numerous studies on GMOs. Here are the findings of just one of such studies:

Bt corn “MON810: Ajeeb YG” produces delta endotoxins in the whole plant due to the genetic modification process. The chemical analysis of this variety showed significant differences from its conventional counterpart “Ajeeb”. Further, feeding studies on rats were designed to complete assessing the safety of “MON810: Ajeeb YG”. Three groups of rats (6 males and 6 females’ rats/group) were fed on control diet, non-Bt corn and Bt corn for 1.5 months and 3 months. After 1.5 months, 3 males and 3 females from each group were sacrificed, and after another 1.5 months, 3 males and 3 females from each group and their offspring were sacrificed. Histopathological examination, blood haematology and serum biochemical analysis were determined. Results indicated significant differences among the tested parameters in the three groups especially Bt group. Severe changes in the liver of Bt group after 3 months were observed.
E. Abdo, O. Barbary and O. Shaltout, “Feeding Study with Bt Corn (MON810: Ajeeb YG) on Rats: Biochemical Analysis and Liver Histopathology,” (Abdo, E. et al., 2014).

Here are some photos from other such studies as well—these depict rats fed with Monsanto’s Roundup Ready Corn:

These studies and photos, conducted and published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Food and Chemical Toxicology, caused major controversy with Monsanto. This controversy led the author to retract the publication. What’s to be noted is that Monsanto led the same exact study years earlier with no results of this magnitude, however, Monsanto only conducted the experiment over 90 days, whereas this study was conducted over 2 years—a more long-term effect on health. To learn more about this study and the many others, please visit https://www.healthnutnews.com/40-different-studies-confirm-gmo-foods-destroying-health/ . There is a video to explain this particular study in more detail.

In sum, GMOs have been studied and linked to a wide variety of illnesses, most notably that of tumors/cancer.

Where are GMOs?

Once more, GMOs are literally everywhere in the US food market—even at your local farmer’s market and produce stand where everything may seemingly be more natural and home-grown.

“GMOs currently on the market include corn, soy, canola, sugar beet, cotton, alfalfa, Hawaiian Rainbow papaya, yellow crookneck squash, zucchini, potatoes and apples, and derivatives of those crops including cottonseed oil. Aspartame is also a GMO. GMO ingredients are used in as much as 80% all processed foods in America” (GMO Free USA).

They also lurk in animal derivatives such as “Meat, Eggs, Milk, Products of Apiculture (e.g., Honey), Products of Aquaculture (e.g., Fish), Gelatin, Hides and Skin – due to the prevalence of GMOs in animal feed” (NonGMO Project). As of today, more and more products are labeling their foods as GMO or GE:

Also, as of now, certified organic products are free from GMOs, and those labeled with the NonGMO Project seal are free from GMOs

Again, it cannot be stressed enough, READ THOSE LABELS! If you’d like to learn more, here are some recommended sites to visit:
https://gmofreeusa.org/education/gmo-intro/
https://www.nongmoproject.org/gmo-facts/
https://www.healthnutnews.com/

Disclaimer: All of the content provided on this page, including text, treatments, dosages, outcomes, charts, profiles, graphics, photographs, images, advice, messages, and postings, are for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. I am not medically-certified in any manner, and offer the aforesaid information as education based on previous research, education, and basic knowledge. The content is not intended to establish a standard of care to be followed by a user of this page. You understand and acknowledge that you should always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health and nutrition provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. You also understand and acknowledge that you should never disregard or delay seeking medical advice relating to treatment or standard of care because of information contained in or transmitted through this page. Medical information changes constantly. Therefore the information on this page or on any linked websites should not be considered current, complete or exhaustive, nor should you rely on such information to recommend a course of treatment for you or any other individual. Reliance on any information provided on this website or any linked websites is solely at your own risk.

Non GMO Project, GMO Free USA, Erin Elizabeth and Health Nut News do not sponsor, endorse, or is not affiliated in any way with Lights in the Darkness and its contents

Resources
Rangel, Gabriel. 2015. “From Corgis to Corn: A Brief Look at the Long History of GMO Technology” Harvard University. Retrieved February 7, 2021 from, http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2015/from-corgis-to-corn-a-brief-look-at-the-long-history-of-gmo-technology/
Non GMO Project. 2016. “What is a GMO?” Retrieved February 7, 2021 from, https://www.nongmoproject.org/gmo-facts/what-is-gmo/
E. Abdo, O. Barbary and O. Shaltout, “Feeding Study with Bt Corn (MON810: Ajeeb YG) on Rats: Biochemical Analysis and Liver Histopathology,” Food and Nutrition Sciences, Vol. 5 No. 2, 2014, pp. 185-195. doi: 10.4236/fns.2014.52024.. Retrieved February 7, 2021 from, https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=42183
Elizabeth, E. 2017. “40 Different Studies that Confirm GMO Foods are Destroying Your Health.” Retrieved February 7, 2021 from, https://www.healthnutnews.com/40-different-studies-confirm-gmo-foods-destroying-health/?fbclid=IwAR04w4asjm-Z9LxtO0BPtG-jifGQ_8yoTS9OLmo7PGbRkZK05aIt5IFzRM8
GMO Free USA. 2021. “INTRODUCTION TO GMOs.” Retrieved February 7, 2021 from, https://gmofreeusa.org/education/introduction-to-gmos/
Non GMO Project. 2016. “What are High-Risk Crops & Inputs?” Retrieved February 7, 2021 from, https://www.nongmoproject.org/gmo-facts/high-risk/