Natural Ways to Protect Yourself against GMOs

(by guest blogger Isaac Eliaz, MD, MS, Lac, integrative medicine pioneer)

Whether we like it or not, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) currently dominate much of our commercial food supply. At last count, as much as 70 percent of the food in an average grocery store in the United States contained GMO ingredients. Modified corn is particularly prevalent, as it’s used in so many products.

It’s no accident that GMOs have become so prevalent. Large biotech corporations, such as Monsanto, have been stealthily increasing the number of GMO food strains—and increasing their own profits—since the ’90s. They seem to be zealously guarding their territory, pouncing on legislation that might pose restrictions on these modified crops.

Just look at what happened to Proposition 37, the California ballot initiative that would have forced sellers of GMO foods sold in California to label them as such. This seems like a simple, commonsense precaution, but an avalanche of industry money defeated it.

To make matters worse, a highly controversial federal bill was passed earlier this year, informally dubbed “The Monsanto Protection Act.” This provision allows companies and farmers to ignore court orders that would restrict GMO crops if they have been found to be hazardous to human health, animal health, or the environment.

However, on June 4th the news broke that Connecticut state legislators overwhelmingly passed the country’s first GMO labeling law—a significant victory for the Right to Know movement, which has pushed for consumers to be informed about the presence of GMOs in their food.

Do We Need Protection?

Whenever it’s faced with criticism, the biotech industry responds by saying there’s no evidence GMOs cause harm. That statement isn’t exactly correct: A number of short-term studies do show reason for concern, and we know next to nothing about the long-term health consequences of GMOs. To further obscure the issue, many of the expert voices asserting GMO safety are not independent scientists, but rather are industry insiders with close ties to the biotech giants.

GMOs are made much the same way many new drugs are developed: Foreign DNA is inserted into the plant genome to give it different characteristics, similar to adding a new chemical group onto an existing molecule to create a new drug. But while drugs must undergo rigorous testing, GMOs in comparison essentially receive a free pass. A number of independent studies are emerging, however, exposing the reality that there are potential dangers. Here are several examples:

• An animal study published in 2009 clearly showed the harmful effects of three types of GM corn, particularly on kidney and liver function.

• A recent European Food Safety Authority study discovered portions of a virus gene in many GMO varieties. Some are concerned that this gene might make these GMOs unsafe.

• One of the “selling points” for GMO crops is that they require fewer pesticides, as pesticides are incorporated into the plant genome. But those protections are apparently wearing off. Researchers at Iowa State University have found that corn rootworms have adapted to GMO corn, forcing farmers to increase their pesticide use, which has significant impacts on human health and the environment.

• Another issue is Roundup, the world’s most popular herbicide, also made by Monsanto. Again, it’s no coincidence that many GMO crops are designed to withstand higher doses of Roundup. However, recent research has shown that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, may cause a number of diseases, including cancer and Parkinson’s disease.

• Other animal studies have also shown a variety of dangers. GMO crops, particularly soy and corn, have been found to affect fertility, immunity, allergies, and birth weight, in addition to accelerating aging and causing cancer.

Act Locally

The question is: As health-minded consumers, how do we respond? First, we vote in the marketplace.

This is already happening. Many food companies are feeling the pressure from consumers who want to avoid GMO ingredients in their foods. Hundreds of food companies have been working with the Non-GMO Project to have their products certified as GMO free. This is entirely market driven. Where government has failed to act, or acts in the interests of corporations over people, individuals can make choices with their wallets while activist groups raise awareness of these critical issues. And as we’re starting to see, this movement has significant power to influence industry practices. In fact, some reports suggest that the Monsanto Protection Act may soon be repealed because of the massive outpouring of public opposition.

For those seeking to avoid GMO foods, the Non-GMO Project offers acheat sheet. High-risk plants include nonorganic corn, wheat, canola, rice, soy, sugar beets, zucchini, flax, and papaya. Organic foods are not completely fail-safe, but they improve our odds significantly. Also, when going to the grocery, look for a Non-GMO Project seal verifying an item is GMO-free.