It seems that GMOs are getting a lot of press these days whether it be due to their effect on our health or due to their link to big corporations, regardless of all the press, many individuals still aren’t sure what are GMOs. GMOs are either plants or animals that have been genetically engineered in a laboratory using DNA (genetic material) from bacteria, viruses, other plants and animals. Meaning that a piece of DNA from one type of organism has been put into plants and animals that we consume so that they can now be more resistant to disease or more resistant to larger amounts of pesticides, among other reasons. So isn’t that a good thing? Having our food supply resistant to disease so that large amounts of crops aren’t lost? At first glance it seems like a great idea; however, Health Canada (and the FDA) have not performed safety tests with GMOs prior to allowing consumption. Thus GMOs are being consumed unknowingly (there are no laws for labelling GMOs in Canada or USA) with no clear understanding of the potential future health related consequences.
The big question becomes should we be worried about consuming GMOs? Are GMOs safe? Unfortunately, when you start taking a closer look at the effects of GMOs in animals (where the majority of the studies on GMOs stem) it doesn’t look very good. Many of the animal studies have shown that GMOs can contribute to organ damage, gastrointestinal and immune system disorders, accelerated aging and infertility. In addition, just recently a publication demonstrating that GMO corn can cause cancer and premature death in rats was retracted from the Food and Chemical Toxicity journal for which many believe due to the long hand of Monsanto (one of the leaders in GMOs). Furthermore, in the only published human feeding experiment on GMOs, it was shown that the genetic material inserted into GM soy was able to transfer into bacteria living inside our intestines and continue to function. Suggesting that our own bodies continue to produce whatever the genetic material encoded inside our bodies, whether that be a gene conferring antibiotic resistance which could lead to promoting superbugs or a gene producing an internal pesticide which would lead to pesticide related damage to our bodies from the inside. Wow now that’s a little scary, isn’t it? It’s not surprising that over 64 countries world wide have either labelled or banned genetically engineered ingredients (but not USA or Canada). At this time, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine are urging doctors to prescribe non-GMO diets for patients due to the “serious health risk” that GMOs pose to the human population.
So where are GMOs found? How can they be avoided? At this time the majority of corn, soy, canola, sugar beets (where the majority of sugar is derived), and cotton crops are genetically modified and unfortunately one or more of these ingredients can be found in nearly every processed food. Your best bet to avoid GMOs is to buy organic (certified organic products cannot intentionally include GMO ingredients), avoid the major GMO culprits listed above, limit/avoid packaged foods or look for the non-GMO project verified seal. Still having a hard time? Well guess what? There is an app to help! Jeffrey Smith the founder of the Institute for Responsible Technology (a great GMO resource) has put together an app called ShopNoGMO which is available for iPhone. Don’t have an iPhone? Don’t worry you can view the shopping guide online at www.nongmoshoppingguide.com.
Now don’t get all stressed out about what you’ve eaten in the past, just focus on the changes you can make for your families eating future. You don’t need to go to your cupboards and throw everything out, just start making small steps as you go. Slowly start eating more whole foods (preferably organic) instead of packaged foods and start trying to avoid GMO containing foods as often as you can. Many lifestyle changes (including nutritional changes) don’t happen overnight, that would just be too overwhelming! Take your time and focus on one small change at a time – for example if you have a tendency to eat a lot of packaged meals, focus on only eating packaged meals twice a week and go from there. Every step you take will help promote healthier living for the entire family.
