“today, the vast majority of foods in supermarkets contain genetically modified
substances whose effects on our health are unknown. As a medical doctor, I
can assure you that no one in the medical profession would attempt to perform
experiments on human subjects without their consent. such conduct is illegal
and unethical. Yet, manufacturers of genetically altered foods are exposing us to
one of the largest uncontrolled experiments in modern history.
from different species. For example, reactions or recombine with other bacte- make tradeoffs during the growth cycle.
genetic engineers have inserted genes ria and viruses to create new pathogens One tradeoff might be diminished nutri-
from an arctic fish into strawberries, to or toxins. The antibiotic resistant marker ent content; another might be in the
make them frost tolerant, but not some- gene used in the process could render plant’s ability to produce seed, which
thing a vegan would want to eat. the antibiotics we use to control disease would affect productivity. More than
Genetic engineering is also known less effective. 8,000 field trials and numerous studies
as recombinant DNA technology, Reports based on animal stud- have shown that herbicide-resistant soy-
because it takes DNA from one organ- ies indicate that both the process and beans are 6 to 11 percent less produc-
ism and combines it with DNA from products of genetic engineering are tive than conventional varieties.
another organism. It does what nature causing problems. Animals fed GMOs
avoids, crossing the natural boundar- exclusively had more false pregnancies the politics of food
ies between species. GMOs are new, and a greater mortality rate than control The facts about GMOs reveal that they
living organisms, capable of spreading, groups. Researchers also have evidence are not more productive than conven-
reproducing and recombining. Their of impaired blood cell formation, liver tional crops and they are not better
presence is invisible and irreversible. problems, excessive growths in the for people. Still, many consumers and
digestive tract and adverse immune farmers believe the advertising that says
What eW don’t Know Can reactions. GMOs can feed the world.
hurt us One thing is certain—GMOs are Unfortunately, the public does not
The processes used to create GMOs an uncontrolled human experiment. A get reliable information about GMOs.
are not precise or predictable. What is leading pediatric neurologist at Harvard That’s because, even before GMOs
precise is the first step, selecting and Medical School, Dr. Martha R. Herbert, went on the market, government regu-
engineering the DNA to be used. After says: “Today, the vast majority of foods lators made a political decision, not
that, genes are engineered and recom- in supermarkets contain genetically one based on science, that they would
bined with bacteria, viruses, and other modified substances whose effects on treat GMO foods the same as natural
designer molecules, then often put into our health are unknown. As a medical foods. It also was decided that no new
a ‘gene gun’ and shot into living cells. doctor, I can assure you that no one in laws would be passed to oversee this
The result can create new proteins the medical profession would attempt industry. This ineffective regulatory
that might trigger serious allergic to perform experiments on human system is causing even greater concern
subjects without their consent. Such now because pending products, such
conduct is illegal and unethical. Yet, as GMO animals, fish and insects, and
manufacturers of genetically altered plants that are engineered with human
foods are exposing us to one of the genes and pharmaceuticals, are coming
largest uncontrolled experiments in on the market or have already contami-
modern history.” nated farm fields and the food supply.
In terms of nutrition, as early as Public interest groups and inde-
1992, scientists at the Food and Drug pendent scientists have documented the
Administration warned that GMOs problems caused by GMOs, reporting,
could cause “undesirable alteration in for instance, that GMOs have increased
the level of nutrients” in foods. Later, the use of herbicides, thereby increas-
one study found that GMO soybeans ing soil and water pollution.
repeatedly sprayed with herbicides had Research has shown that GMO
12 to 14 percent less essential phyto- insecticidal corn harms monarch but-
nutrient content than conventionally terflies and other beneficial insects.
grown soybeans. Weeds growing near GMO farms have
Here’s why scientists think GMOs become ‘superweeds,’ which don’t die
are different: when plants are forced when sprayed with weed killers. GMOs
to do something as stressful as having have spread their unnatural DNA into
to stay alive while being repeatedly forests and grasslands and contaminat-
sprayed with a lethal herbicide, they ed the crops grown by organic farmers.
38 Broward County
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