Genetically Modified Foods: A food supply disaster

Genetically Modified Foods: A food supply disaster

Genetically modified (GM) foods are not legal in the UK. Seed companies in the US have lobbied and pushed hard to sell farmers the seeds that they have developed, presumably to make crops easier to care for – such as “Round-Up Ready Soy Beans” - the whole field can be sprayed with Round-Up and the soybeans will live while all of the weeds will die off. The problem is that our bodies are not built to handle these genetically modified foods.

When Round-Up Ready (RR) soybeans were introduced in the UK, the rates of soy allergies skyrocketed. Mice that were fed these soybeans had liver damage, which was reversed after they went back on natural soy products. Female rats were put on RR soybean products two weeks before mating – they found a 56% mortality in the offspring within 3 weeks of birth among those rats, versus 9% in controls. Residual DNA changes have been found in the gut lining from these products that may also contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Tomato is another crop that is often genetically modified in the US. When these tomatoes were given to rats, they refused to eat them, but then dined happily once natural tomatoes were placed in their cages.

In animals fed GM potatoes, they found smaller brain size, smaller testicle size, as well as stomach lining problems.

Crops most likely to be genetically modified in the US are corn, tomatoes, soybean, cotton, and canola. Unless the product is labeled “organic” or “no GMO” then if it is one of those crops, it is most likely GM.

How can you make a change? Food companies are in business to make money, so if the products they are making aren’t selling, they will discontinue using the GM ingredients. Avoid buying products with those crops listed unless they are organic or free of genetic modification.

Environmental author Jeffrey Smith wrote the book Seeds of Deception which addresses this topic. It is a great resource if you would like further information.