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Issue: # 25
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March 5, 2014
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Let Us HEALTH You Quick Tips
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Is an Apple Really an Apple?
It looks the same, it may even taste the same, but its DNA structure is different. The theory is to grow these foods from seeds that are engineered to resist insecticides and herbicides, add "nutritional" benefits or otherwise improve crop yields and increase the global food supply. This is known as Genetically Modified (or engineered) Organisms or GMO food.
It sounds good. Why not "improve" upon nature? The problem is that it doesn't--it does the exact opposite. The consumer actually gets this transfer of resistance of antibiotics and allergens from the GMO plants. Is it any wonder why soy allergies have skyrocketed by 50% with most soy being genetically modified? As a result, there are many who believe that the epidemic of allergies, asthma, skin problems and chronic ailments are due to GMOs. There are at least 19 studies with animals that link Genetically Engineered food with organ disruption, tumors and premature death. As a matter of fact, there is a reason why GMOs are banned by so many countries. Yes, banned. Members of the European Union such as Italy, Spain, Austria, Germany, France, Portugal, Switzerland, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria, Brazil, Paraguay and just recently Peru all have bans on one or more types of GMOs. The US have had bills for bans, but all have failed.
At the very least, it seems to make sense that we should know what our food is made of by requiring food makers to label their foods accordingly. However, The United States Senate decided that it simply does not want to let states tell people whether or not they are eating genetically modified food. So much for our "representatives" voting on our behalf.
This vote was interestingly scheduled just 3 days prior to th e "March against Monsanto." Monsanto is the St. Louis based Agri-biotech company that is responsible for most of the genetically engineered seeds being distributed throughout the world. This small movement created on a Facebook page last February ballooned into protests held in 52 countries and 436 cities, including Los Angeles and Washington as part of a global protest against seed giant and the genetically modified food it produces, organizers said.
Most corn, soybean and cotton crops grown in the United States today have been genetically modified. But critics say genetically modified organisms can lead to serious health conditions and harm the environment. The use of GMOs has been a growing issue of contention in recent years, with health advocates pushing for mandatory labeling of genetically modified products even though the federal government and many scientists say the technology is safe.
However, if it is so safe, why did Monsanto's lobbyists push so hard for a bill which provides immunity from any federal courts' pending reviews of any GMO crop thought to be dangerous. By the way, while every food labeling bill failed to pass, the Monsanto Protection Act was signed into law this past March, 2013. Just who are our representatives protecting?
Once again, we have to rely on educating ourselves to make the best decisions for ourselves and for our loved ones. Consumer demand will ultimately determine whether companies label their foods or not.
Keep in mind the most commonly GMO foods are corn, soy and cotton. Beware that most processed foods are made with these foods and are all GMO. Read your labels and assume if it doesn't say nonGMO, then it is genetically engineered. Also, look at the bar code. If it is a 5-digit code beginning with an 8, that means it is a GMO. There is also a great app called Fooducate where you can scan the label at the market and it will tell you all about the product.
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 "It is our choices that show what we truly are far more than our abilities." Live well and love more,
Jill Gordon, CHHC, CNHP
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