Are GMOs safe?
- Dr. Alicia Miller, ND
- Jun 1, 2021
- 3 min read
GMO’s are Genetically Modified Organisms that were developed in 1973 by inserting DNA from one bacteria into another. The idea was this could speed up the process of cross breeding plants and animals. In 1982, the FDA approved genetically engineered insulin to treat diabetes. In 1994 the first GMO tomato is approved and released to the public, followed by summer squash, soybeans, cotton, corn, papayas, potatoes, and canola. In 2005, GMO alfalfa and sugar beets become available in the US. In 2015, the FDA approved GMO salmon and 2017 GMO apples are sold in the US.
The companies that produce GMO’s, like Monsanto, has promised that GMO’s are completely safe and it would lessen the need for pesticides because the DNA inserted would make the plant more resistant to the glyphosate pesticide, which created resistant crops and bugs. For example, GMO corn known as Bt Corn became resistant to the glyphosate pesticide (round up) in the 1990’s. This allowed the arrival of invasive pest species like soybean aphid, which required even more pesticides. Monsanto added in 2, 4-D herbicide to their roundup. This herbicide, 2,4-D has been around since the 1940’s, it’s highly toxic and was weaponized to form Agent Orange used in Vietnam war. It was used to kills the jungles, poison the rice fields and water supply of the enemy. Those that survived and had off-spring has seen many birth defects and health issues, even 3 generations later. Unfortunately, many of the soldiers in Vietnam were also exposed and has since affected generations of their off-spring as well. Pesticides accumulate in the fat cells of humans and animals and are linked to type 2 diabetes, immune system dysfunction (cancers, autoimmune diseases, allergies), nerve disorders, muscular dysfunction, hormone disruption, and heart disease. This is mainly because of glyphosate breaking down to a harmful class of chemical, known as Dioxins. Dioxin accumulation is also linked to miscarriages, spina bifida, fetal nervous system dysfunction.
Back to GMO’s harming our health. The DNA inserted in the bioengineering process, alters the plants proteins which can produce secondary metabolites. Remember that these effects are due to the accumulative effects of consuming GMOs, but they are gastrointestinal disruption (think leaky-gut), oxalate formation, breathing issues, anorexia, impaired reproduction, immune dysfunction, neurological issues, and skin issues. Not to mention potential carcinogens like acrylamide in your GMO French fries that are released when potatoes are fried at high temperatures in GMO canola oil for an added bonus.
The take home message is to avoid GMO’s as much as possible, including the animals that are fed the GMO’s. If consuming animal meat, opt for pasture-raised, grass-fed, grass-finished.
The top GMO crops in the US are sugar beet, potato, summer squash, soybean, cotton, papaya, apples, and alfalfa. In 2014, the FDA also approved GMO Salmon (AquaAdvantage Salmon), flax, plums, radicchio, rice, and wheat which may be hitting the market.
Best ways to avoid GMOs are to buy Organic (produce will have a sku number that starts with a 9) and look for Non-GMO Project Verified label. If you are planning to grow some of your own produce, opt for heritage seeds and for F’s sake, don’t use any Roundup ready or Miracle Gro on your plants! Some helpful home remedies are vegetable oil (not GMO oils please) mixed with Castile soap, neem oil mixed with castile soap, diatomaceous earth, garlic spray, chile pepper spray, tomato leaf spray. Consider composting as well. Will post later on that!
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