The+Risks+of+GMOS

Evan Anderson, Alexandria Diaz, Aliyah Morales, Katie Morris, Ryan Noble, Will Remak, Savannah Thomas, Dan White

GMOs are genetically modified organisms. This ingredient should not be used in our foods because people do not know it is in their foods due to the fact that there are no labels that say ‘this food has GMOs in it.’ “This is a new technology that has awesome powers to break down fundamental genetic barriers.” (Cummins, _ .) GMOs are created when scientists take genes from one species and insert them into the DNA of another species. GM foods get their genes from bacteria, viruses and other organisms.
 * What are Genetically Modified Organisms - GMOs? **

Some countries became GMO-free because animals that have been tested have become sick and/or died, and GMOS have never been tested for human consumption. There is no current mandatory safety testing or required labeling in the United States. “The U.S government doesn’t require stringent testing of chemical and nutritional analysis of new GE foods before they go on the market. They also don’t label because GMO products aren’t in all “boxes” it’s only in 80% of them.” (Cummins, 51.)


 * What are Genetically Modified Organisms - GMOs? **

GMOs are genetically modified organisms. This ingredient should not be used in food due to the fact that there are no labels that warn ‘this food has GMOs in it.’ “This is a new technology that has awesome powers to break down fundamental genetic barriers.” (Cummins, 17.) GMOs are created when scientists take genes from one species and insert them into the DNA of another species. GM foods get their genes from bacteria, viruses and other organisms.

Some countries became GMO-free because animals that have been tested have become sick and/or died, and GMOS have never been tested for human consumption. There is no current mandatory safety testing or required labeling in the United States. “The U.S government doesn’t require stringent testing of chemical and nutritional analysis of new GE foods before they go on the market. They also don’t label because GMO products aren’t in all “boxes” it’s only in 80% of them.” (Cummins, 51.)

** The History of Genetically Modified Foods ** When did scientists begin to create GMOs?

Genetically modified organisms started in the 1940’s, but their use has increased in the 1970’s. Most countries referred to GMOs as poison, and became GMO-free. Some of the countries that placed a moratorium on or they are trying to ban GMO foods are United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, and Switzerland. Countries that currently allow GMOs to be distributed include: the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, India, China, Paraguay, South Africa, Uruguay, Australia, Portugal, Germany, France, and the Czech Republic.

** Are Genetically Modified Foods Harmful? ** Animals are needed to provide a direct test of the allergenic properties. The tests can not be tested on humans directly. The scientists have tested GMOs on rats using gene-spliced potatoes for only 10 days, which damaged the rats’ vital organs and their immune systems. Rats fed GMO products showed liver problems, but the ones that have not eaten GMO products did not. Lab animals fed GMOs have suffered damage to every organ system.

Genetic engineering has introduced allergens and toxic substances into the foods that people eat. One serious incident that killed 37 people, and permanently disabled 1,500 others, was the food supplement tryptophan (which has now been banned) in 1996.
 * GMOs and the Body **

Humans have experienced an increase in allergies, food sensitivities and arthritis. The human health risks associated with consuming GMOs also include an elevated cancer risk and dangerous bacteria will develop a resistance to antibiotics making it difficult for doctors to treat human illnesses. A big reason for avoiding genetically modified organisms is because they haven’t been tested on humans, so many people will never know what made them sick. If someone gets deathly ill, they would never know it’s from ingesting GMO products.

Humans’ health is at risk because of GMOs. Farmers have been getting sick from being around the animals and crops that are being treated with GMOs. Pollen pollution from GMO crop fields has already infected formerly organic farms. GM foods’ bacteria could thrive in the intestinal tract. The gene inserted into the GM soy transfers into the DNA of bacteria living inside our intestines and continues to function in our bodies.

Avoiding GMO foods proves to be difficult for American shoppers. 85% of the processed food in the grocery store (as of 2007) is likely to contain GM ingredients. Many people have no idea of what is in their food. Over the past two decades, people have started to become aware about this situation.
 * How to Avoid Consuming GMOs **

GMO labels rarely appear on containers. This is because companies do not want consumers to know that GMOs are in the food that they are purchasing. So how do people know that GMOs are in the food they are buying?

GMOs can be dangerous when consumed. So, it’s a smart move to avoid genetically modified foods. A way to be GMO free is to stay away from products from companies that utilize GMOs in their products. Soy, corn, cottonseed, canola, margarine, soy flour, soy lecithin, cornmeal, corn syrup, dextrose, maltodextrin, fructose, citric acid & lactic acid are all ingredients that contain GMOs, so they are best avoided. (Please visit [] for an up-to-date shopping list)

Another way to avoid GMOs is by looking at the carton. If the box specifically states that there are no GMOs in it, then it is safe to eat. If the carton does not have GMOs label, then people should be careful. They should also be careful of where they buy their foods. Some stores may not know if their foods have GMOs in them. Whole Foods and Trader Joes are two stores that do not stock GMO items.

In Europe, major U.S companies dropped distributing genetically engineered food. “It’s only a matter of time before we apply the same rules here,” said Larry Bohlen, the campaign director for Safer Food-Safer Farms. The United States needs to apply the same rules to protect its citizens’ health. Major companies make claims about the use of GMO ingredients in their products: · ** Burger King says that they don’t use GMO products. ** · ** McDonalds tested positive for GMOs in one of their sandwiches. ** · ** Nestle has been quoted, “In those countries where consumers are reluctant to accept the use of GM crops as a source for ingredients, Nestle products do not contain these ingredients, in as far as practically possible.” ** · ** Coca Cola has been quoted, “… does not use any ingredients that are genetically modified.” ** · ** Kellogg’s "Kellogg’s is conscious of consumer preferences and does not use GM maize or soy ingredients or derivatives in its breakfast cereals sold in Europe...At present, our other grain-based morning foods such as Kellogg's Pop-tarts, Rice Krispies Squares and Nutra-Grain bars contain maize or soy derivatives produced from raw materials purchased on the world market...Kellogg is currently seeking non-GM sources for these ingredients and we hope to have completed this process by the end of the year.” ** · ** Campbell **** ’s “We respect the present concerns of consumers". Campbell's told the Friends of Earth Europe that all its ingredients in Europe are from GMO-free crops. Derivatives would shortly follow. ** · ** Here is one more from Heinz "Where there is potential for GM material to be present, or where ingredients are derived from soya or maize, we source non-GM, identity preserved ingredients through carefully audited suppliers. In addition, independent testing is carried out. We continue to take every possible step to ensure that Heinz varieties remain free of ingredients derived from GM crops...we are also reviewing all ingredients in respect of GM-derived enzymes, and are already reviewing the use of GM animal feed." ** The Progress Report, Independent Daily News. http://progress.org/

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“Should Europeans be able to get uncontaminated foods while US citizens must be the world's guinea pigs?” ~ The Progress Report, Independent Daily News. ** Why GMOs Should Be Outlawed in the United States ** There are many reasons to outlaw genetically modified organisms. These include the risk of getting cancer, degenerative ailments, viral and bacterial illnesses, birth defects, toxicity and lowered nutrition. The problem is that GMOs are not illegal in the United States. Toxicity to soil is affecting the environment. Industry marketing said to the public that bioengineered seeds and plants will help the environment by reducing toxic pesticide use. The whole outcome of that was totally the opposite. The majority of GM agriculture products were made for toxin-resistance. Higher doses of pesticide were sold by the largest companies-Monsanto, DuPont, Novaris, Dow, Bayer, Ciba-Geigy, Hoescht, AgroEvo and Rhone-Poulenc. The majority of research for future products includes transgenic strains for increase on chemical resistance. How do we get rid of these GMOs? What do we do about this? How can we stop people from buying or it eating this product? For more information, please visit: [] ======