What exactly are GMOs?
According to the World Health Organization, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can be defined as organisms (i.e. plants, animals or microorganisms) in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination. In other words, GMO foods are grown in laboratories instead of naturally in nature.
The research
As a scientist, I spent several years in the research department investigating GMOs, food dyes, herbicides and other pharmaceutical drug grade chemicals. It wasn’t surprising to correlate that the incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases have been tremendously increased in the United States since the introduction of chemically invaded foods. It became apparent that the delayed ripening tomatoes treated with GMO had a drastically longer shelf life than conventional tomatoes.
GMO history
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first use of GMO in 1982. As soon as 1994, genetically modified tomatoes were already prevalent in grocery stores. Glyphosate herbicide was introduced to the marketplace in 1974. Since 1990, Monsanto, an Agrochemical company, has widely used glyphosate on its GMO crops. The United States is the only industrialized country that does not require GMO food labeling, unlike other developed countries such as European Union, Russia, Australia, Brazil, Japan, and China.
The associated diseases due to GMOs and herbicides
The chemicals found are within the endocrine disruptor and unfortunately, they are carcinogenic (cancerous). These are stored in fatty tissues, especially in the brain and gut! Symptoms and/or side effects may include:
- Infertility
- Immune problems
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Rapid aging
- Weight gain
- Poor focus
- Fatigue
- Cancer
These are the most common genetically modified foods reported to date. AVOID eating them or buy organic.
- Corn
- Soy
- Canola
- Sugar beet
- Cotton
- Aspartame
- Zucchini
- Papayas
- Yellow squash
- Dairy
Now, you’re grocery shopping and need to know how you avoid GMOs. One easy solution is to avoid vegetables and fruits that begin with the number “8” (look for the five digit PLU code) found on produce. Eat organic, especially the GMO foods listed above, to reduce chemical exposure and health consequences.
Sources:
Health risks – institute for responsible technology. (2015). Retrieved February 24, 2017, from http://responsibletechnology.org/gmo-education/health-risks/
Science explorer. (2016, January 29). Retrieved February 24, 2017, from https://www.usgs.gov/science/science-explorer?lq=Glyphosate
It, J. L. (2017). Labeling around the world. Retrieved February 24, 2017, from http://www.justlabelit.org/right-to-know-center/labeling-around-the-world/
Myers et al. Environmental Health (2016) 15:19