How to Win a GMO Debate: 10 Facts Why GM Food is Bad

It’s happened to the best of us. The topic of genetically modified (GM) food and crops comes up and someone somewhere starts spewing a spate of pro-GMO rhetoric like, “GM food is the only way to feed the poor! GM crops benefit farmers! GM food and crops are safe!” and we are left with a stammering retort of, “but, but, no, but, uhm, no!”

Next time be prepared by bolstering your argument with these 10 Reasons to Avoid GMOs, courtesy of international bestselling author and GMO expert Jeffrey Smith from The Institute for Responsible Technology (IRT). This list of ten facts and supporting text clearly explain just how serious a threat GM food and crops pose to our personal health as well as the health of the planet.

1. GMOs are unhealthy.
The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) urges doctors to prescribe non-GMO diets for all patients. They cite animal studies showing organ damage, gastrointestinal and immune system disorders, accelerated aging, and infertility. Human studies show how genetically modified (GM) food can leave material behind inside us, possibly causing long-term problems. Genes inserted into GM soy, for example, can transfer into the DNA of bacteria living inside us, and that the toxic insecticide produced by GM corn was found in the blood of pregnant women and their unborn fetuses.

Numerous health problems increased after GMOs were introduced in 1996. The percentage of Americans with three or more chronic illnesses jumped from 7% to 13% in just 9 years; food allergies skyrocketed, and disorders such as autism, reproductive disorders, digestive problems, and others are on the rise. Although there is not sufficient research to confirm that GMOs are a contributing factor, doctors groups such as the AAEM tell us not to wait before we start protecting ourselves, and especially our children who are most at risk.

The American Public Health Association and American Nurses Association are among many medical groups that condemn the use of GM bovine growth hormone, because the milk from treated cows has more of the hormone IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1)―which is linked to cancer.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Lisa H.

11:02AM PDT on Mar 28, 2012

Shop local – often small farmers do not use GE food, but you should always still ask
Look for Non-GMO product seals. Some business are proudly non-GMO!
Avoid processed foods as they’ll often have GMO ingredients.
Grow your own food! This way you’ll know exactly where it’s coming from.

Resource: http://www.organicsoul.com/the-grocery-list-6-gmo-foods-you-want-to-avoid/

Whew! I'd figured it would be better to post this here, as opposed to just posting a link (easier to access). As I mentioned, Please tell everyone.

send a green star

10:58AM PDT on Mar 28, 2012

Also, keep in mind that cane sugar is also not GMO!

Number 5. The Cereals and Breakfast Foods

Many cereals and breakfast foods today contain trace ingredients that are GMO – namely soy and corn additives or sugars like those mentioned above. Unfortunately, to eat around this, you’ll probably have to drop your favorite cereal with mini-marsh mellows and shooting stars. I personally switched to an organic granola cereal with some freshly sliced bananas I add in for taste – yum!

Number 6. Fruits and Vegetables

Although there are not many genetically engineered fruits or vegetables in the US, packaged, frozen, or canned fruits or vegetables often have GMO additives. Some fruits and veggies are actually coated with GMO made wax or oil before hitting the shelves. Some GE foods in this category are zucchini, yellow squash, sweet corn, and papaya from Hawaii.

Luckily, fruit has an easy code system to figure out if its GMO or organic. If the fruit has only 4 digits on its PLU code, it is conventionally grown and may be GE. If it has 5 numbers starting with an 8, then it is GMO, and if it starts with a 9, it is organic. Unfortunately, the ’8′ for GMO is only voluntary, and many (if not all) skip passing this information on to consumers. If it is available, look for the USDA organic label.

Some Basic Tips

To help you and your family avoid GMO foods, here are a few basic tips to consider:

Shop local – often small farmers do not u

10:55AM PDT on Mar 28, 2012

explicitly, corn, soybean, cottonseed, and canola oils produced in North America almost certainly contain genetically modified products.” Blended oils are also a problem due to the common practice of mixing GMO canola and cottonseed. Here, finding an organic or 100 percent pure oil that isn’t derived from the above plants is the best way to avoid GMO oils – organic olive oil is a personal favorite.

Number 3. Animal Products

Just like milk, animal products (meat, fish, chicken, pork, etc) can be thought of as genetically engineered. Not only are growth hormones an issue, but so is the feed that animals consume – and even that’s not all. Although we mentioned there are no “genetically engineered cows” per se, there are actually genetically engineered farm-raised salmon currently being tested. These may even reach dinner plates in a few years (or less).

Going for 100 percent grass fed beef or 100 percent organic chicken, pork, or lamb is the best way around this. It’s important to remember, though, that GMO alfalfa has recently been approved, so 100 grass fed ruminants may not be safe as before.

Number 4. Sugar and Sweeteners

Sugar beet is one of the largest genetically engineers crops in the nation, and with corn being another huge GMO crop, food sweetened with high fructose corn syrup should also be avoided. Unless it’s labeled organic, your best bet is to go with organic alternatives like honey or agave syrup. Also,

10:50AM PDT on Mar 28, 2012

PLEASE email this to everyone, talk to people about it, post it to Facebook, Twitter etc... I find that so many people don't even know what a GMO is, which is always shocking to me, and I live in Calif.!

Unlike in Europe, where GMO foods require labeling or are outright banned, the average US consumer must choose between some serious digging or only buying food labeled 100 percent organic. To simplify this mission, here are 6 GM food groups you’ll want to avoid:

Number 1. Milk/Dairy

Although there are currently no approved “genetically engineered cows,” the modern dairy industry is a heavy user of the GE growth hormone rbGH (or rbST). This helps boost milk production on dairy farms, but may lead to some health concerns. First, this growth hormone sometimes stresses the cows body, leading to certain diseases that must be treated with antibiotics, which end up in the consumer. This can lead to antibiotic resistance and even antibiotic allergic reactions. What’s more, though, is that it is known that rbGH stimulates IGF-1 production, a cancer accelerator in the body.

Even if you find a company that says “No rbGH or rbST,” you still have reason to believe the food is not GMO-free. This is because cattle are often fed genetically modified feed. Buying organic is the best way around this problem!

Number 2. The Oils

The next group to watch out for is cooking oil. As explained by the Non-GMO Shopping Guide, “Unless labeled explici

Karen G.

7:56AM PDT on Mar 28, 2012

I read all I can about this problem. I am so concerned and disgusted with our government. The ones who are supposed to give us a FREE country. I am not FREE to choose my own nutrition at this point as it is being sold with a "sheep" costume enshrouding it. Local, organic is the only choice I now have.

6:50PM PST on Feb 27, 2012

Did you know Bill Gates purchased 500000 shares of Monsanto? He believes in the technology! Here is part of an astounding article: Skimming the Agricultural Development section of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation web site is a feel-good experience: African farmers smile in a bright slide show of images amid descriptions of the foundation's fight against poverty and hunger. But biosafety activists in South Africa are calling a program funded by the Gates Foundation a "Trojan horse" to open the door for private agribusiness and genetically engineered (GE) seeds, including a drought-resistant corn that Monsanto hopes to have approved in the United States and abroad. Here is the rest of the article: http://www.truth-out.org/second-green-revolutionaries-gates-foundation-and-monsanto-push-ge-crops-africa/1310411034

Patricia P.

10:07PM PST on Jan 20, 2012

thanks!!

Eric L.

6:48PM PST on Jan 19, 2012

Well said Cor B.

Our Government is so corrupt and backwards they go after raw milk while promoting GMO crops that are untested.

http://farmwars.info/

Cor B.

3:41PM PST on Jan 19, 2012

Monsanto controls 90% of the world's GMOs. 90% of US soy beans are Monsanto RoundUp soy beans. 70% of the food on US grocery shelves contain GMO soy ingredients. Several senior executive level positions in the FDA and Monsanto corporation are filled by people who have worked for both, putting policies and regulations in place to ensure Monsanto thrives. We will be lucky if we get GMO labeling, so consumers have choices, but I don't see Monsanto going anywhere any time soon. We need to ensure people educate themselves of the dangers of GMOs and protest in what ever way they can. People need to learn how to identify GMO ingredients as best they can and try to move towards a more whole foods, organic diet that includes non-GMO foods. If Monsanto gains further control over the world's food supply and is continually supported by the FDA, and our dollars, we are in serious trouble. Thank you for your article. I will share it on twitter and do what I can to get the word out there.

Jim R.

2:15PM PST on Jan 13, 2012

GMO's should be outlawed . no if ands or buts!