GMOs: What Are They and Why Are They Harmful to Your Health?

Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are not as new as you might think.  Both animals and plants have been modified for hundreds of years through a process called selective breeding.  It wasn’t until the rise of genetic engineering that we saw these organisms getting altered in ways not possible before.

Here’s a somewhat staggering statistic: By 1999, over two-thirds of processed food within the United States contained genetically modified ingredients.  So, let’s take a closer look at GMOs and why it sparks so much debate.

Science Steps In
Today’s scientists have a much more advanced understanding of genes, and because of this the most common type of modern genetic modification is called transgenesis, which involves taking DNA from organisms and directly transplanting them into another.  These transgenic organisms are built with the intention of gaining desirable traits from other species, whether it’s from an animal to another animal, a plant to a plant, or between plants and animals.

One example of transgenic species that you may have seen (and probably eaten) is frost-resistant strawberries.  These strawberries received genes from fish that were well adapted to cold waters in an effort to extend the growing season.  This didn’t lower the freezing point enough, however, so researchers are now adding frost-resistant bacteria instead; but that’s opening up another can of worms.

Genetically Modified Pets?
Another example of a GMO is GloFish.  You might have noticed these little guys when you visited the local pet store – their brightly colored, fluorescent bodies are hard to miss.  The GloFish, which is actually a patented and trademarked animal, is the result of scientists adding the fluorescent proteins from jellyfish to a normal Zebrafish.  By adding these special proteins, the fish are brightly colored and light up even more under a black light, similar to jellyfish at the aquarium.  Over 200 million of these ornamental fish have been sold in the United States alone, and the numbers keep rising.  With such a large popularity, what’s keeping other engineers from trademarking additional lab-created pets?

Dangerous Foods
Most processed food in the United States contains some genetically enhanced ingredients, including meats, cooking oils, milk, fruits and vegetables.  The potential dangers vary and usually depend on what the modification is.  The dairy industry uses a growth hormone that produces more milk, but makes the cows more susceptible to disease.  Treating these diseases with antibiotics means that those antibiotics will end up in the stomach of you and I, the consumer.  This gradual buildup of antibiotics will cause us to develop a resistance to our own antibiotics, and might even spur allergic reactions.  If that’s not enough to deter you, consider this: the growth hormone, rbGH, has been shown to stimulate the production of IGF-1, which is a cancer accelerator.

Why Are You Being Kept In the Dark?
Scientists defend genetic engineering by claiming that it’s necessary in order for companies to remain profitable in this ever-changing economic climate, and that it’s needed to support the constantly growing population.  In direct response to this, many consumers are now turning to farmer’s markets, buying locally, seeking organic foods, and growing their own foods.

The United States does not require a food manufacturer to state if its products are organic or not, which means that you might be ingesting all sorts of growth hormones and not even know it.  Many believe the reason for this is purely financial.  When genetically modified tomatoes were commercially sold under the name of “Flavr Savr,” sales took a complete nosedive once the label stated that it was a GMO.  Needless to say, manufacturers have since learned the lesson, and the only way to be sure a food is organic is if its label explicitly states it.