The Negative Consequences of Genetically Modified Food Essay Example for Free

The Negative Consequences of Genetically Modified Food Essay Genetically modified foods (GM foods, or biotech foods) are hazardous to your health. These foods are derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), specifically, genetically modified crops. GMOs have had specific changes introduced into their DNA by genetic engineering techniques. Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are created when a gene from one species is transferred to another, creating something that would not be found in nature. GMOs are present in almost sixty percent of all processed foods including vegetable oil, Soya flour, lecithin, and Soya proteins. GMO maize products make up approximately fifty percent of processed foods including corn, cornstarch, and corn syrups. Beets, sugar, dairy products, and soybeans are also produced through genetic engineering. The six major GMO crops are Soy, Corn, Canola, Cotton, sugar beets and alfalfa. Have you ever wondered what may be causing the food allergies you or your children have? It is most likely due to GMOs. By drawing out proteins from foods and modifying other foods with them, there is a much greater chance of cross contamination of allergens. Without proper identification, this could be devastating if not deadly for those with serious food allergies. For example, a person that is allergic to peanuts (common allergen) may be also allergic to tomatoes that have had the peanut protein injected into them. Without knowing, the person may eat the tomato and have an allergic reaction to it not realizing that the tomato was genetically modified. So now, there will be more people that can develop allergies to tomatoes. Children, especially under the age of two, are more prone to develop allergies to GMO foods because they have the greatest number of reactions to new allergens in foods. They are particularly vulnerable to GM corn, which contains an allergen not found in natural varieties. Over the last several years, the greatest rise in food allergies was to soy products. In fact, â€Å"Soy allergies skyrocketed by 50% in the UK, soon after GM soy was introduced†. (1) Eating a diet with non-GMOs will also help to keep you healthy. GMOs have been linked to existing diseases and new diseases. In particular, genetically engineered corn and soy can wreak havoc on your health by promoting obesity and contributing to diseases. According to an article featured on a health website by Dr. Mercola, a well-known American physician: â€Å"The results show a positive link between GE corn and obesity. Animals fed a GE corn diet got fatter quicker and retained the weight compared to animals fed a non-GE grain diet. The studies were performed on rats, mice, pigs and salmon, achieving the same results. † â€Å"This not only may relate to a rise in obesity, but to increases in many modern diseases. These diseases include diabetes, digestive disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, autism spectrum disorders (ASD) (ADD), autoimmune diseases, sexual dysfunction, sterility, asthma, COPD and many more. (2) If you are concerned about the plight of starving people in the world, GMOs are not the answer for global food security or for reducing world hunger. Although biotech companies have argued that GM crops grow bigger and produce more food, which can help curb the poverty issue in the world, that is actually not the case. Genetically engineered crops have shown no increase in yield. In many cases other farm technology has proven much more successful, and even Monsanto, the world’s largest GM seed company, agrees that its genetically engineered crops yield less than conventional farming. In fact, when Monsanto attempted to introduce GM hybrid wheat to Europe for its cereal market, it revealed that the growth in hybrid wheat had failed to materialise. Our lack of success in hybrids means this is no longer a good strategic fit for Monsanto. (3). If you do not want to worry about the relationship between GMOs and food allergies and if you are concerned about the health risks associated with consuming GM foods, avoid purchasing GM foods. Here are some tips to help you to avoid purchasing and consuming GM foods. Look for 100% organic products, which means that all ingredients in the product are organic. Look for â€Å"non-GMO† or â€Å"Made without genetically modified ingredients† labels. Avoid at risk ingredients like soy, corn, cottonseed, canola, sugar beets, and alfalfa. In addition, consumers can change the GMO practices of food manufacturers. You can get together with your local community and start a petition to demand that GMOs be eliminated from the food supply. These two methods will help to ensure that all people can stay healthy. SOURCES CITED Audet, M. (2013). Genetically Modified Food and Risks to Human Health. Retrieved from http://organic. lovetoknow. com/natural-organic-food/genetically-modified-food-risks-human-health Smith, J. M. (2003). Genetically Engineered Foods Pose Health Risk to Children. Retrieved from http://www. saynotogmos. org/uoct03a. htm (1) Smith, J. M. (2007). Spilling the Beans. Newsletter. Retrieved from http://www. responsibletechnology. org/gmo-dangers/health-risks/articles-aboutrisks-by-jeffrey-smith/Genetically-Engineered-Foods-May-Cause-Rising-Food-Allergies-Genetically-Engineered-Soybeans-May- (2)Mercola, Dr. (2012). Decade-Long Feeding Study Reveals Significant HealthHazards of Genetically Engineered Foods. Retrieved fromhttp://articles. mercola. com/sites/articles/archive/2012/08/07/genetically-engineered-foods-hazards. aspx (3) Brown, P. and Oliver, M. (2003). Monsanto to Quit Europe. Retrieved from http://www. saynotogmos. org/uoct03b. htm#mquits.