GMO Foods are Killing Us

The presence of GMOs in about 80% of processed foods in the United States, as reported by the Grocery Manufacturers Association, is a widespread issue. Genetic modification is used to enhance the quality and quantity of foods. However, in Gandhi’s explanation of The Seven Deadly Social Sins, he highlights the danger of science without humanity, where new technologies are developed without considering their impact on humans. This is evident in the practice of genetically modifying foods without informing the public about potential negative effects. It is crucial for people to be aware of the harm that GMOs can cause to humans, animals, and the environment. These genetically modified organisms are created by altering the genes of living creatures through biotechnology. This involves extracting genes from one organism and inserting them into another to achieve specific desired traits. While the concept of improving certain traits in food through modification may seem beneficial, it can have detrimental effects. For instance, plants are modified to increase growth and nutritional value, but this process involves altering the food itself. In the 1980s, a genetically modified food supplement called L-tryptophan caused deaths and illnesses, raising concerns about the potential dangers of other modified foods. Biologist Dr. Pushpa M. Bhargava believes that the rise in diseases affecting Americans may be linked to GMOs. Research has also shown that genetically modified foods can lead to serious health risks, such as infertility, accelerated aging, organ damage, and cancer. These concerns are compounded by the fact that GM foods are made from crops grown from seeds with genetically modified DNA. Additionally, during the manufacturing process, parts of a food product may be modified or use modified crops. This was seen in the 1980s when L-tryptophan was modified and caused harm to consumers. The use of antibiotic-resistant genes in genetically modified foods can also lead to dangerous infections in humans, as these genes can spread to bacteria in the soil. Antibiotics are used to kill harmful bacteria in the body, but resistance to these drugs can have severe consequences. The overuse of antibiotics in GM foods has been linked to the rise of infertility and other reproductive issues in the US population. The process of genetic modification is not fully understood, and it can result in unforeseen side effects, such as the production of new toxins and allergens. This is because modifying genes can cause mutations throughout the plant’s DNA, resulting in the deletion or alteration of natural genes and changes in their behavior. Even the inserted gene can be damaged or rearranged, creating proteins that may trigger allergies. This is particularly concerning as genes from different species are combined to create genetically modified foods, which can lead to allergic reactions. For instance, the introduction of GM soy has been linked to an increase in soy allergies. Research has shown that modified soy can contain up to seven times more trypsin inhibitors, allergens that are absent in non-GM soy. Despite these risks, there is a growing demand for GMOs due to their herbicide and pesticide-resistant properties. However, the use of these harmful toxins in GM crops has led to an increase in pollution and harm to the environment. The overuse of herbicides and pesticides can also have adverse effects on animals, causing birth defects, organ damage, and even death. Insecticide-resistant crops can also harm beneficial insects that play a crucial role in pollination. For example, the use of insecticides on GM corn has been linked to colony collapse disorder in bees. GM crops also have negative effects on marine ecosystems and soil organisms, further contributing to environmental damage. The spread of GM seeds through cross-pollination also poses a threat to other organisms in the environment. This is evident in the decline of monarch butterfly populations due to the destruction of their habitats by GM crops. Despite these risks, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require safety studies for GMO foods. The regulatory agencies only need to show that the inserted protein in the plant is safe, without testing the actual protein produced in the GM food. This lack of testing is due to the FDA’s policy of considering GM foods to be substantially equivalent to non-GM foods, exempting them from additional safety tests. This lack of regulation and transparency is concerning, as it prioritizes profits over public health. Additionally, there is no federal mandate for labeling GM foods in the US, making it challenging for consumers to know if a product contains GMOs. This is in stark contrast to Europe, where labeling is mandatory, and as a result, GMOs are not as prevalent. Consumers have the right to know what is in their food and make informed decisions, but the lack of labeling allows companies to prioritize profits over transparency. As a result, there has been a significant increase in the sales of non-GMO products in response to consumer concerns. To avoid consuming GMOs, people can opt for organic foods, which are less likely to contain them. The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) even recommends non-G