Why Label Genetically Modified Foods?

What do corn flakes, canola oil, soda, tofu, zucchini, and oysters in cottonseed oil have in common? They all contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Over 90 percent of surveyed people want GMOs labeled (1, 16), yet we still don’t have the right to know if our foods are GMOs in the United States. While 64 countries (2) have initiated labeling, or bans, of GMOs foods, millions of dollars are pumped into campaigns to keep GE foods label-free in the US. Thankfully, the opportunity to vote in favor of GMO labeling is coming in November in Washington state with the 522 initiative.

Feeling confused about GMO labeling? That’s the result of $17 million dollars of funding from GMO companies to help defeat labeling in Washington. Their ads are confusing to consumers, who simply want the right to know what foods they are eating. But GMO companies, like Monsanto, Dow, Dupont, and others, have a lot of money to lose when we ask them to tell us the truth about our foods.

Despite what the Grocery Manufactures Association (GMA) and GMO food lords are trying to lead you to believe, labeling will NOT cost consumers more money. Food manufacturers change their labels routinely to attract consumers. (Think new toy in cereal, or new flavor, or new color.) Who it will really cost is the food industry, who knows they will lose money when consumers choose to stop purchasing GMO foods.

Let me help you sort out the confusion with some sobering facts.

Why Label Genetically Modified Foods? #GMO http://t.co/YvLX5mT5aZ

— Frances Arnold (@FrancesLArnold) October 11, 2013

1. Those who want labeling are consumers, farmers, fishermen, and many healthcare workers (including myself). Those who don’t want labeling are corporations – you know, those companies with deep pockets who stand to lose a lot of money when consumers are more informed.
2. GMO companies advise that in order to avoid GMO foods, we should purchase organic or “Non-GMO verified foods”. However, these are specialty certifications, and these foods cost much more money.  However, many families cannot afford to purchase only organic and “Non-GMO verified” foods. Organic and “Non-GMO verified” foods are not available in many communities. Labeling ALL GMO foods levels the playing field for everyone.
3. We eat on average 193 POUNDS of genetically modified foods in a year, at minimum.  Yet, most Americans are unaware that they are eating GMOs at all because GMOs are not labeled. That is more than the body weight of the average American. (3, 16)
4. GMOs are primarily found in processed and non-organic foods. Because they are unlabeled, they are difficult to identify. (4)
5. There are no long-term safety studies on GMOs in humans. Thus, the long-term health effects are unknown. (5, 14)
6. Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GMO food consumption, including infertility, immune dysregulation, accelerated aging, dysregulation of genes associated with cholesterol synthesis, insulin regulation, cell signaling, and protein formation, and changes in the liver, kidney, spleen and gastrointestinal system. Would you like fries with that? (6, 11, 14)
   

   Large tumors on rats raised on GMO feed in independent research with Dr. Serallini. www.gmoseralini.org

7. The American Academy of Environmental Medicine advises that “Physicians educate their patients, the medical community, and the public to avoid GM foods when possible.” (6, 9) Kaiser Permanente recommends that people limit their exposure to GMOs. (13)
8. Genetically modified crops use more pesticides. A lot more. Their use has increased by 404 million pounds from 1996 to 2011. And stronger chemicals are needed to counter weed and pest resistance. This is bad for the environment, dangerous for farmers, and it can’t be good for us. (7, 8, 16)
9. Genetically engineered salmon, which is soon to be released on the market, poses huge risks to wild salmon populations. (12, 15)
10. Producers of GMOs perform their own research confidentially, prior to commercialization of their GM crops, pesticides, drugs or chemicals. Their studies are only 90 days or less. Wouldn’t you think safety tests should be performed by a neutral party before being unleashed on an unsuspecting public (that’s you and me!).

What can you do to protect yourself?

Currently, the only way to avoid GMOs is to purchase organic or foods certified by the “Non-GMO Project”. Unfortunately, this is an expensive method of avoiding GMOs, which many families can’t afford. Trader Joe’s sources its name brand foods to be free of GMOs. Whole Foods and PCC also offer a large selection of GMO-free foods. The following foods are grown largely as GMO crops, and should only be purchased as organic: soy, corn, canola, sugar beets, cotton, Hawaiian papaya, some zucchini, yellow crookneck squash and alfalfa (10) Genetically engineered salmon is due to hit the consumer markets soon too.
Vote: I also hope that you will familiarize yourself with the 522 initiative and vote in favor of transparency. Currently, large GMO producers have donated $17 million dollars to the Washington campaign to avoid passing labeling laws. This means that there is a lot of misleading information about labeling going around right now.
Learn more:
As of the time of publication, I am interviewing national GMO leaders and public figures regarding GMOs. I will publish every podcast interview and blog post at www.NamasteNutritionist.com, which you can enjoy for free. You can sign up for updates there.
Other Resources:
Yes on I-522 Initiative: www.yeson522.org

The Non-GMO Project: www.nongmoproject.org

GMO Compass: www.gmo-compass.org

Documentaries (to get started):
Genetic Roulette
GMO-OMG

References:
(1) Just Label It. “Mellman Survey Results”, Jan 2012. http://justlabelit.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Mellman-Survey-Results.pdf

(2) Just Label It. “Labeling Around the World”. http://justlabelit.org/right-to-know/labeling-around-the-world/

(3) Environmental Working Group. “Americans Eat Their Weight in Genetically Engineered Food”, 15 Oct, 2012.

(4) Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Reviews, Vol. 21, Nov 2004 http://www.saveourseeds.org/downloads/schubert_safety_reg_us_11_2004.pdf

(5) American Academy of Environmental Medicine, GMO Position statement: http://www.aaemonline.org/gmopost.html

(6) Environmental Sciences Europe, Vol. 24:24 doi:10.1186/2190-4715-24-24, 28 Sept 2012. http://www.enveurope.com/content/24/1/24/abstract.

(7) National Public Radio, “As Biotech Seed Falters, Insecticide Use Surges”. 09 July, 2013

(8) Smith, JM. “Genetic Roulette”. Fairfield: Yes Books. 2007. p.10

(9) Puztai, Arpad, S. Bardocz and S.W.B. Ewen. “Genetically Modified Foods: Potential Human Health Effects”. Dept of Pathology, University of Aberdeen, Forresterhill, Aberdeen, UK. 2003

(10) NY Times. “U.S. Approves Genetically Modified Alfalfa”, 27 Jan, 2011. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/28/business/28alfalfa.html?_r=1&

(11) Bartolotto, Carole. “Is the movement to label GMOs anti-science?”, Huffington Post 14 June, 2013.

(12) The Ocean Conservancy, “Genetically Engineered Salmon”, http://www.oceanconservancy.org/our-work/aquaculture/aquaculture-genetically.html

(13) Kaiser Permanente Newsletter. “What you need to know about GMOs”. Nov 2012. http://www.willamettelive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/KP-scan10833.jpg

(14) Gilles-Eric Séralini, Emilie Claira,, Robin Mesnagea, Steeve Gressa, Nicolas Defargea, Manuela Malatestab, Didier Hennequinc, Joël Spiroux de Vendômoisa. “Long term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize”. Food and Chemical Toxicology Volume 50, Issue 11, Nov 2012, Pgs 4221–4231

(15) Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commision, statement on GMO salmon. http://www.critfc.org/advocacy/genetically-modified-salmon/

(16) Bartolloto, Carole. “How to avoid genetically modified foods”, Huffington Post. 9 July, 2013.