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Genetically Modified Food Affects Life

For those interested in learning about the effects our diet has on our body, animals and

the environment, continue reading about the adverse characteristics of genetically modified food.

What is put inside the human body ultimately becomes a source of energy and required nutrients

to take on daily life. Food that is unnatural can alter this process and or add unwanted toxins.

This food is genetically modified. Studies show Genetically Modified Organisms and GM Food

are becoming a leading cause of health issues since the early 1990s. (Key 435) These

bi-products are causing harm to the environment, human health and animals.United States

citizens should be educated further on why and how these foods are detrimental to the survival of

natural life..

Some might suggest that genetically modified food is the answer to world hunger, since

the population is increasing and the amount of land is doing the opposite. Plant genes are being

altered to increase yield and resist certain pests. Some say this is an advantage, others might say

it goes against natural law. The main problem is whether or not the foods being manufactured

should be labeled or not, and this has been a growing issue for the past decade. But many still

dont even know what GMO even stands for.

In addition, a genetically modified organism, is a plant, animal, microorganism or other

organism whose genetic makeup has been modified using recombinant DNA methods (also

called gene splicing), gene modification or transgenic technology (Cummins 3). This relatively

new science creates unstable combinations of plant, animal and viral genes that do not occur in

nature through traditional crossbreeding methods (Smith 221). Throughout history, humans have
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never encountered food that is essentially, man made until just recently. These creations made

in labs go against the bodily code to break down food.

GMOs need to be addressed because this frankenfood as one might call it is being

genetically altered to create more of an abundance. Reason being is the ever growing population.

(Sorensen) Big business food corporations are being overworked and are slowly running out of

resources. Livestock are being injected with hormones causing some of them to double in size,

and plants are becoming more and more unnatural.

For the short time they have been around, numerous health problems have increased.

GMOs were introduced in 1996. Since then, the percentage of Americans with three or more

chronic illnesses almost doubled. Agricultural genetic engineering is a radical and unpredictable

new technology. GE foods are not being adequately safety-tested for possible damage to human

health. GE are not being adequately safety-tested for possible damage to the environment

(Cummins 3).

Equally as important, these foods are causing allergenic problems in not only living

people, but pregnant womens unborn fetuses as well. Research from Canada (the first of its

kind) has successfully identified the presence of pesticides associated with genetically modified

foods in maternal, fetal and non-pregnant womens blood (Walia n.p.). Following a strict non

GMO diet during pregnancy could protect the next generation of life, not necessarily keeping

them immune to certain allergens, but definitely lowering the risk. Although GMOs have been

linked to cancer, it still doesnt necessarily mean they can enter through blood stream, but its

safe to assume it is indeed a possibility. (Walia n.p.)

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The effects on human health do not seem that drastic, but being a regular consumer could

shorten the lifespan of the average human. One of the main ingredients in genetically modified

food is glyphosate. This pesticide is sprayed on crops so they become pest-resistant. But it gets

internalized into these plants and cannot just simply be washed off as people have been led to

believe. When glyphosate is ingested, in essence, alters the chemistry of the body. It is

completely unnatural and the body doesnt resonate with it. (CYP) is the gene pathway disrupted

when the body takes in glyphosate. (CYP) creates enzymes that assist with the formation of

molecules in cells (Walia). Glyphosate inhibits the (CYP) enzymes. The (CYP) pathway is

critical for normal, natural functioning of multiple biological systems within our bodies. Because

humans that have been exposed to glyphosate have a drop in amino acids tryptophan levels, they

do not have the necessary signaling of the neurotransmitter serotonin (Walia). Serotonin affects

the majority of the body. Such as appetite, sleep patterns, behavior, mood and memory to name a

few, so having this chemical minimized from ingested food is critical.

As a matter of fact, there are numerous chemicals found in the food of genetic makeup,

but the second most important is xenobiotics. It is one thing that cannot be avoided when having

an unnatural diet. Xenobiotics are foreign chemical substances found within an organism that is

not naturally produced (Walia). The fetus is considered to be highly susceptible to the adverse

effects of these industrial chemicals. This issue is prevalent because it is found in every single

GMO product and can be severely toxic to cell growth.

Furthermore, genetically modified food not only counteract humans, but also other

species of life. Livestock is among the most affected. From cows to chickens, these animals are

part of a large experiment in order for farmers and the food industry to attain more product.
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Monsanto is one of the largest corporations of food in the world, withholding a great deal of

livestock population. Monsantos cows, chickens, and pigs are being fed hormones that are

causing a great deal of health issues for them. GM pigs, for example, get fed hormones causing

their stomachs to become inflamed. GM pigs have uteri that are 25 percent larger than non-GM

pigs. These pigs had a higher rate of severe stomach inflammation with a rate of 32 percent

compared to 125 of non-GM fed pigs (Walia).

Since cows are being used not only for meat purposes, but also for their milk, they are

becoming the most affected. An estimated two million of the United States nine million dairy

cows are being injected regularly with recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (sometimes

referred to as rBGH or RBST) (Cummins and Lilliston 5). Cows get sick from rBGH. Monsanto

has been forced to admit to about 20 percent of veterinary health risks on its Posilac label,

including mastitis and udder inflammation. (Burhardt). The genetically engineered hormone can

contaminate rBGH milk, since it can be absorbed through the gut and induce immunological

effects. Chemically and nutritionally, rBGH milk is very different from natural milk (Burkhardt).

Another key point to keep in mind is the impact Bt crops of on the environment. Bt crops

are crops genetically engineered to produce a toxin that fights off insects and pests. Biotech

companies claim Bt has a history of safe use, since organic farmers and others use Bt bacteria

spray for natural insect control. (Bhargava). The Bt spray is less toxic than the actual Bt enzyme

being produced in GM plants. This toxin was designed so that plants have their own built in

pesticide, so when insects bite into them, the poison splits them open and kills them (Bhargava).

Arguably, some of the insects being killed by these pesticides are not as substantial to

life, but these chemicals are also affecting bees, which are substantial to life. The incident that
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brought Bt crops to the publics attention was a 1999 report that showed monarch butterflies to

be severely threatened by Bt technology. (Key 435) Monarch butterflies have shown a slight

decline in population, since milkweed can be found near crops of soy and corn.

Another point of interest is the fact that GM plants may themselves become invasive

weeds. They have the potential to create weedy relatives as well as invasive species that could

outlive their harvested crop life, which could affect future crops even if there not a GM product.

The conditions needed to grow GM crops could also damage wildlife populations. A study

reported that for three of the four crops tested, the wildlife was reduced in the GM fields

compared to non-GMO.

Simply by getting a better understanding on how genetically modified food affects human

and animal health as well as the environment should be necessary. Even though some disagree

that GM foods are just as nutritious as organically grown food, studies prove that statement is

false. If an all natural diet was established in this country, the life expectancy of people would

increase. Something to keep in mind is, food has been modified beneficial to the agrichemical

companies, the seed suppliers and the farmers, not the consumer (Sorensen).

Works Cited

Burkhardt, Jeffrey. Genetically Modified Organisms and Biotechnology. Encyclopedia of

Environmental Ethics and Philosophy, vol. 1, 2009. pp. 453-458. Opposing Viewpoints in

Context, GALE|CX3234100142. Accessed 17 Oct. 2016.

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Cummins, Ronnie and Ben Lilliston. Genetically Engineered Food: A Self Defense Guide for

Consumers. Marlowe and Company, 2004.

Key, Suzie and Julian K-C Ma. Genetically Modified Plants and Human Health Journal of the

Royal Society of Medicine, 1 Jun. 2008, p.435.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2408621/. Accessed 18 Oct. 2016.

Regulating Frankenfoods. (The Periodical Observer-Science, Technology, and

Environment). The Wilson Quarteny, vol 26.1, 2002, Opposing Viewpoints in Context,

GALE|A82514011. Accessed 27 Oct. 2016.

Sorensen, Chris. In Praise of Frankenfood., Macleans 21, Mar 2016, 26 Oct. 2016

Walia, Arjun. Genetically Modified Food is Unhealthy. Global Sustainability, 2016. Opposing

Viewpoints in Context. GALE|EJ3010988212, Accessed 28 Oct. 2016.

Bhargava, Pushpa. Genetically Modified Foods Pose Huge Health Risk Opposing Views, 20

May 2009.

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/genetically-modified-foods-pose-huge-health-risk

Accessed 1 Nov 2016.