genetically modified food will cause a global humanitarian disaster

By Adam
2/17/2010
EarthBlog News©
https://earthblognews.wordpress.com/
TinyURL for this article [http://wp.me/pOhuI-1Y]

Editor’s Note: Radio Bikini tells a story of US atomic bomb testing. Archival footage shows soldiers pegging the geiger counter after venturing into the blast zone to do reconissance.  Now 50 years later those who are still alive show the grotesque effects of radioactive isotope exposure. This article will argue that in the same way the effects of this new nuclear technology were not well understood 50 years ago, we face a similar issue today with the pervasiveness of GMO food. This article will present a case that we are poisioning ourselves and the planet, and that it may become both catastrophic and irreversible 50 years from now. Maybe sooner.

At this point in time, there can be no remaining doubt regarding the presumed safety of genetically modified food.

You are a mammal.

A Comparison of the Effects of Three GM Corn Varieties on Mammalian Health
The International Journal of Biological Sciences
Joël Spiroux de Vendômois1, François Roullier1, Dominique Cellier1,2, Gilles-Eric Séralini1,3
Abstract
We present for the first time a comparative analysis of blood and organ system data from trials with rats fed three main commercialized genetically modified (GM) maize (NK 603, MON 810, MON 863), which are present in food and feed in the world. NK 603 has been modified to be tolerant to the broad spectrum herbicide Roundup and thus contains residues of this formulation. MON 810 and MON 863 are engineered to synthesize two different Bt toxins used as insecticides. Approximately 60 different biochemical parameters were classified per organ and measured in serum and urine after 5 and 14 weeks of feeding. GM maize-fed rats were compared first to their respective isogenic or parental non-GM equivalent control groups. This was followed by comparison to six reference groups, which had consumed various other non-GM maize varieties. We applied nonparametric methods, including multiple pairwise comparisons with a False Discovery Rate approach. Principal Component Analysis allowed the investigation of scattering of different factors (sex, weeks of feeding, diet, dose and group). Our analysis clearly reveals for the 3 GMOs new side effects linked with GM maize consumption, which were sex- and often dose-dependent. Effects were mostly associated with the kidney and liver, the dietary detoxifying organs, although different between the 3 GMOs. Other effects were also noticed in the heart, adrenal glands, spleen and haematopoietic system. We conclude that these data highlight signs of hepatorenal toxicity, possibly due to the new pesticides specific to each GM corn. In addition, unintended direct or indirect metabolic consequences of the genetic modification cannot be excluded.
Address

Please note that the study above considers only three varieties of genetically modified corn, all which were proven in the study to cause varying degrees of damage to mammalian health.

The study shows damage to major organ systems of the animals in the trials. Why would we expect the long term result to be any different in  humans?

The most fundamental issue here is an implied assumption that any form of genetic modification to food is presumed to be safe, and therefore does not need to undergo decades of animal and human trials.

“Monsanto should not have to vouchsafe the safety of biotech food,” “Our interest is in selling as much of it as possible. Assuring its safety is the FDA’s job.” – Phil Angell, Monsanto’s director of corporate communications

Monsanto’s Government Ties

Other scientific studies continue to roll in documenting adverse health effects from GM food. In the study below, hamsters fed a variety of GMO soybeans lost their reproductive capacity and had hair growing out of their mouths within three generations.

Genetically Modified Soy Linked to Sterility, Infant Mortality in Hamsters

So the presumption of safety, the presumption that any kind of tweak will be safe, is now known to be false. This has the weighty implication that every type of modification that can be made could have a different effect on any organism that consumes it or any ecosystem it exists in.

Even more worrisome are recent studies that show consumption of genetically modified food by mammals causes DNA mutations and alterations in the consuming organism. This is cause for grave concern due to the entirely unpredictable results of man made life forms altering the dna of consuming organisms.

On the environmental side, pesticides from corn genetically modified to produce it’s own pesticides are showing up in fresh water bodies. This is proof that genetic modifications affect the entire ecosystem whether intended or not.

So we have a situation where food which has now proven to be dangerous is being developed with a caviler, careless  attitude by chemical corporations. It is then rubber stamped and immediately released into the global food chain without any long term analysis or testing. The party responsible for oversight and testing  (the FDA) is entirely funded by guess who? The chemical companies and the big pharma oligarchy themselves.

Former Monsanto Exec. Appointed to the Head of the F.D.A.!

While not specifically related to GM food, this article below highlights the actions of the agency which was ostensibly chartered to  protect the consumer. It is arguable that the FDA is an organization which has been entirely corrupted by money and the entities that fund their continued existence. Protecting the consumer is a mission in name only and therefore cannot be relied upon in any way to protect the genetically modified food consuming public.

If You Liked Bovine Growth Hormone, You’ll love Beta Agonists
While researchers and scientists investigate the cause of our diabetes, obesity, asthma and ADHD epidemics, they should ask why the FDA approved a livestock drug banned in 160 nations and responsible for hyperactivity, muscle breakdown and 10 percent mortality in pigs, according to angry farmers who phoned the manufacturer. The beta agonist ractopamine, a repartitioning agent that increases protein synthesis, was recruited for livestock use when researchers found the drug, used in asthma, made mice more muscular says Beef magazine. But unlike the growth promoting antibiotics and hormones used in livestock which are withdrawn as the animal nears slaughter, ractopamine is started as the animal nears slaughter. As much as twenty percent of Paylean, given to pigs for their last 28 days, Optaflexx, given to cattle their last 28 to 42 days and Tomax, given to turkeys their last 7 to 14 days, remains in consumer meat says author and well known veterinarian Michael W. Fox. Though banned in Europe, Taiwan and China–more than 1,700 people were “poisoned” from eating Paylean-fed pigs since 1998 says the Sichuan Pork Trade Chamber of Commerce– ractopamine is used in 45 percent of US pigs says Elanco Animal Health which manufactures all three products. How does a drug marked, “Not for use in humans. Individuals with cardiovascular disease should exercise special caution to avoid exposure. Use protective clothing, impervious gloves, protective eye wear, and a NIOSH-approved dust mask” become “safe” in human food? With no washout period?
Address

Importantly, there is no distinction being made regarding the type of genetic modification.

One type of genetic modification causes plants to internally produce pharmaceutical products (drugs). The DNA of the plants is altered so the plant becomes a miniature and cost effective pharmaceutical producing laboratory.  The obvious problem with this type of genetic modification has already happened. There have already been cases where these pharmaceutical producing crops have unintentionally cross pollinated natural crops, causing formerly natural grains to become drug manufacturing laboratories. This would be entirely unknown to a farmer or consumer, and could only be determined by DNA analysis or other testing of the plant. Once in the wild, genetic fragments of drug producing plants could end up contaminating everything else.

Since we now know that the GM foods tested have strange and unpredictable effects (like hair growing out of the mouth in hamsters), it is quite reasonable to assume that every single type of genetic tweak to nature may have entirely different, unknown and unpredictable consequences.  Editorially speaking, if there ever was a case of monkeys playing with razor blades, this is it. Chemical companies are playing Russian roulette with people’s health and lives, and indeed, the entire planetary ecosystem.

We are now rapidly headed to a situation where “wild” or “natural” crops carry a wide variety of non intentioned, engineered genes as a result of unintentional cross pollination via bees, butterflies, wind and other pollination sources. Since it has been shown that organisms which consume GMO food have alterations in their own DNA, these changes will become ubiquitous and systemic. Everything affects everything.

What is the effect of healthy humans unknowingly eating plants that contain pharmaceutical drugs and other engineered products?

Further compounding this problem for consumers is that the large chemical companies who are pushing these products on the people of the world have lobbies that are so large and so strong, they own the political body.

Despite these long-term and wide-ranging risks, Congress has yet to pass a single law intended to address chemical companies and their GMO tinkering. The chemical companies retain junk scientists to claim their products are safe and run interference. As a result these global multinational chemical companies have a free hand to spread their untested lab creations worldwide, with entirely unknown and dangerous effects. Who will be held responsible 50 years from now when these companies have long since gone out of business and we are left with a problem which has no solution?

Their lobby has proven so powerful that their genetically modified products may show up throughout the food chain, without consumers even being aware this is the case. There are effectively no labeling requirements and GM grains are being used by virtually all major food producers. You are consuming these products,  NOW. Currently, up to 45 percent of U.S. corn is genetically engineered as is 85 percent of soybeans. It has been estimated that 70-75 percent of processed foods on supermarket shelves–from soda to soup, crackers to condiments–contain genetically engineered ingredients.

Is that enough to damage your health or kill you? How much of your DNA can be altered without cause for concern? How will this GMO consumption affect your own offspring? What will the long ranging effects be on the planet and the food chain?  N o   o n e   k n o w s.

So we are risking the health of the entire planet, for what potential benefit? The benefit is that a few ultra rich oligarchs will be able to reap enormous profits from endeavoring to own patents on nature. GMO products have already proven to create more problems than they solve.

The people developing these products are interested in only one thing, maximizing corporate profits,  money and power. Your health, and the fitness of the planet for human habitation has taken a back seat to unmitigated greed and corruption with effectively no oversight and a free hand to inflict their damage on you and the planet. No one speaks for earth.

Summarizing, with each passing day, new untested GMO products are being released into the wild. There is effectively no testing, regulation or oversight. This is a recipe for a future global disaster or more correctly, a disaster in process. Once these engineered organisms have cross pollinated into nature as they are doing right now, there is no effective recall. The damage is done and there is no recourse. Natural, or non genetically altered grains will cease to exist. The DNA of consuming organisms is forever altered. For this reason, we can be assured that the global food chain is becoming toxic. At some point in the future, a global humanitarian catastrophe will result.

• the products have already been proven dangerous while the assumption is that they are safe
• new products are being released into the wild and rapidly spreading across the globe, passing their engineered genes to natural crops
• there is effectively no oversight or testing. The consumer advocate has been corrupted by money
• the long term effects, side effects and potential undesired effects upon the entire food chain and the planet itself have not even been considered and are entirely unknown

A criminal investigation is warranted.  A trial should be convened for crimes against humanity.

Filed under: GM Food

GM Food Safety: Whose Job Is It?
It’s not Monsanto’s job:
“Monsanto should not have to vouchsafe the safety of biotech food. Our interest is in selling as much of it as possible. Assuring its safety is the FDA’s job.” – Phil Angell, Monsanto’s Director of Corporate Communications, in “Playing God In The Garden,” by Michael Pollan, NYTs Magazine, 1998.
Address

Why Has the FDA Allowed a Drug Marked ‘Not Safe for Use in Humans’ to Be Fed to Livestock Right Before Slaughter?
There’s a good chance you may be eating a livestock drug banned in 160 nations.
February 2, 2010
While researchers and scientists investigate the cause of our diabetes, obesity, asthma and ADHD epidemics, they should ask why the FDA approved a livestock drug banned in 160 nations and responsible for hyperactivity, muscle breakdown and 10 percent mortality in pigs, according to angry farmers who phoned the manufacturer.
Address

Doctors Warn: Avoid Genetically Modified Food
By Jeffrey M. Smith
On May 19th, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) called on “Physicians to educate their patients, the medical community, and the public to avoid GM (genetically modified) foods when possible and provide educational materials concerning GM foods and health risks.”[1] They called for a moratorium on GM foods, long-term independent studies, and labeling. AAEM’s position paper stated, “Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food,” including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system. They conclude, “There is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects. There is causation,” as defined by recognized scientific criteria. “The strength of association and consistency between GM foods and disease is confirmed in several animal studies.”
Address

Is Monsanto playing fast and loose with Roundup Ready Soybeans in Argentina?
Crying not for Argentina but for lost patent fees, Monsanto’s legal hacks are in European courts suing to block millions of tons of Argentine soybean meal from docking on the continent. Monsanto says that much of the meal crossing the Atlantic to feed Europe’s cows and pigs contains traces of its genetically modified Roundup Ready Soybeans. Known as RR, the soybeans are tweaked to withstand the company’s Roundup herbicide. This resistance lets farmers blanket entire fields with the chemical mixture rather than surgically applying it to kill off weeds. Monsanto holds a patent for the seed in Europe, but not in Argentina, where a dispute over technology rights keeps the U.S.-based agri-giant from collecting technology fees on RR seed sales. By using its European patent to disrupt Argentina’s lucrative soy-meal trade with Europe, the company hopes to strong-arm Argentine farmers into paying up.
Address

Is Organic Farming Killer Rep. Rosa DeLauro Becoming the Most Hated Woman in America?
March 20, 2009
Is Organic Farming Killer Rep. Rosa DeLauro Becoming the Most Hated Woman in America? (I Hope So) Mar. 20, 2009
From: John C. Hammell, President International Advocates for Health Freedom (IAHF)
Rosa DeLauro (The Bride of Satan?) Congresswoman Rosa De Lauro (Whose Husband Works for Monsanto)
IAHF List: Seems that Congresswoman Rosa De Lauro, the sponsor of HR 875, the (so called) Food Safety Modernization Act, has a husband employed by Monsanto, a company that would directly benefit from the provisions in her bill that threaten to destroy organic farmers and even backyard gardiners via threats of gigantic fines and massive red tape….
Address

Farmers fight introduction of Roundup Ready wheat in Canada

Roundup Ready Superweeds destroy US cotton crops and ABC reports without saying Monsanto or Roundup!

Research Shows Roundup Ready Soybeans Yield Less

Scientists Finding Many Negative Impacts of Roundup Ready GM Crops

Farmers, Others Sue USDA Over Monsanto GMO Alfalfa
Date: 17-Feb-06
Author: Carey Gillam
Opening another front in the battle over genetically modified crops, the lawsuit contends that the US Department of Agriculture improperly is allowing Monsanto Co to sell an herbicide-resistant alfalfa seed while failing to analyse the public health, environmental, and economic consequences of that action. “The USDA failed to do a full environmental review when they deregulated this genetically engineered alfalfa,” said Will Rastov, an attorney for Center for Food Safety, one of the plaintiffs. “They’re going to wreak untold dangers into the environment.” The lawsuit asks the federal court in San Francisco to rescind the USDA’s decision until a full environmental review has been completed. The suit asserts that the genetically modified alfalfa will probably contaminate conventionally grown alfalfa at a fast pace, ultimately forcing farmers to pay for Monsanto’s patented gene technology whether they want the technology or not.
Address

American Academy of Environmental Medicine Calls for Immediate Moratorium on All Genetically Modified Foods
by Jeffrey M. Smith
AAEM’s position paper stated, “Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food,” including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system. They conclude, “There is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects. There is causation,” as defined by recognized scientific criteria. “The strength of association and consistency between GM foods and disease is confirmed in several animal studies.”
Address

Fox News Exposed – Florida Supreme Court Approves Lying to Public
Address
Obama Gives Key Agriculture Post to Monsanto Man
by Gary Ruskin
Address

Monsanto Under Investigation by Seven U.S. States
Address

Bayer admits GMO contamination out of control
Address

You’re Appointing Who? Please Obama, Say It’s Not So!
The person who may be responsible for more food-related illness and death than anyone in history has just been made the US food safety czar. This is no joke.
Here’s the back story.
Address

Russia Says Genetically Modified Foods are Harmful
Salem-News.com
Apr-23-2010
Concerning the experiment carried out jointly by the National Association for Gene Security and the Institute of Ecological and Evolutional Problems, Dr. Alexei Surov had this to say. “We selected several groups of hamsters, kept them in pairs in cells and gave them ordinary food as always,” says Alexei Surov. “We did not add anything for one group but the other was fed with soya that contained no GM components, while the third group with some content of Genetically Modified Organisms and the fourth one with increased amount of GMO. We monitored their behavior and how they gain weight and when they give birth to their cubs. Originally, everything went smoothly. However, we noticed quite a serious effect when we selected new pairs from their cubs and continued to feed them as before. These pairs’ growth rate was slower and they reached their sexual maturity more slowly. When we got some of their cubs we formed the new pairs of the third generation. We failed to get cubs from these pairs, which were fed with GM foodstuffs. It was proved that these pairs lost their ability to give birth to their cubs,” Dr. Alexei Surov said. Another surprise was discovered by scientists in hamsters of the third generation. Hair grew in the mouth of the animals that took part in the experiment. It’s unclear why this happened. The researchers cannot understand why a programme of destruction is launched when animals take GMO foodstuffs. They say that this can be neutralized only by ceasing to use these foods.
Address
GM Crops Go to US High Court, Environmental Laws on the Line
Monday 26 April 2010
Address

Conflict of Interest: Ex Monsanto Lawyer Clarence Thomas to Hear Major Monsanto Case
Clarence Thomas Fox, meet henhouse…
Address

Monsanto Sues More Small Family Farmers
Percy Schmeiser is a farmer from Saskatchewan Canada, whose Canola fields were contaminated with Monsanto’s genetically engineered Round-Up Ready Canola by pollen from a nearby farm. Monsanto says it doesn’t matter how the contamination took place, and is therefore demanding Schmeiser pay their Technology Fee (the fee farmers must pay to grow Monsanto’s genetically engineered products). According to Schmeiser, “I never had anything to do with Monsanto, outside of buying chemicals. I never signed a contract. If I would go to St. Louis (Monsanto Headquarters) and contaminate their plots – destroy what they have worked on for 40 years – I think I would be put in jail and the key thrown away.” Rodney Nelson’s family farm is being forced into a similar lawsuit by Monsanto.
Address

GM maize has polluted rivers across the United States
Address

Bloomberg: Genetically Modified Corn Polluting Streams, Rivers and Lakes With Insecticides
by Alexander Higgins
October 3, 2010
Address

GMO Study: You’re Eating Insecticide…
May 29, 2011
By Matt Spaeth – FIN
Most Americans remain blissfully unaware (or don’t care) they are eating genetically-modified (GM) organisms every day. Passivity and blind faith in the USDA, FDA and EPA have largely contributed to this attitude. Perhaps that will change now that a new study reveals an insecticide produced in GM corn actually gets absorbed into the human body.
Address

Genetically modified canola found growing wild in Dakota
By Stephanie Dearing
Digital Journal
Pittsburgh – A University of Arkansas researcher has found genetically modified canola growing wild in Dakota — in addition, she found two different GM varieties had interbred to produce a completely new GM canola.
Address

Scientists Create GM Corn Which Prevents Human Conception
Robin McKie
Science Editor
The Observer – London
September 9, 2001
Scientists have created the ultimate GM crop: contraceptive corn. Waiving fields of maize may one day save the world from overpopulation.
Address

Scientist: GM food safety testing is “woefully inadequate”
What are the challenges of doing this type of research?
There are two major challenges. First, it is very hard to get GM seed to conduct the research. In order to buy GM seed, you have to go to a licensed seed dealer, and sign a technology licensing agreement, which states that you won’t do any research on the seed, which includes agronomic, health, and environmental research. Also, scientists who try to research health impacts of GM food get harassed and intimidated by people with vested interests in GM technology. I’ve had 10 years of abuse from such people who’ve defamed me, driven me out of a university, and tried to get me fired from jobs. With that kind of intimidation, scientists often decide not to do any research. Vested interests have been trying to find out about research I’m doing. They filed a freedom of information request with the Western Australian government to find out. The government denied their request. It could have ended up in court. My research protocol could have been stolen.
Address

BREAKING NEWS: Alarm on Gene GM Crops: A Previously Unrecognised Effect on GM Plant Development  
Global Research, June 3, 2011
telegraphindia.com
New Delhi, June 2: Indian scientists have discovered that the genetic modification of plants with a gene already used in crops worldwide may severely damage the plants, a surprising finding that may stir a debate on current crop biotechnology science. The scientists at the University of Delhi have shown that inserting a bacterial gene that makes a protein named Cry1Ac into genomes of plants appears to cause developmental defects, growth retardation and sterility in the plants. Several experimental and commercial genetically-modified plants, including GM cotton cultivated in India and other countries, make the Cry1Ac protein which is toxic to some insects. The insects die when they try to eat parts of these GM crops.
Address

Toxic pollen from genetically modified corn kills monarch butterflies, researchers find in lab tests
By Blaine P. Friedlander Jr.
An increasingly popular commercial corn, genetically engineered to produce a bacterial toxin to protect against corn pests, has an unwanted side effect: Its pollen kills monarch butterfly larvae in laboratory tests, according to a report by Cornell researchers.
Address

Toxin from GM crops found in human blood: Study
Dinesh C. Sharma
New Delhi, May 11, 2011
Address

France orders probe after rat study links GM corn, cancer
[filed under: Genetically modified food will cause a global humanitarian disaster]
A variety of genetically modified maize (corn). France’s government asked a health watchdog to carry out a probe, possibly leading to EU suspension of a genetically-modified corn, after a study in rats linked the grain to cancer.
AFP – France’s government on Wednesday asked a health watchdog to carry out a probe, possibly leading to EU suspension of a genetically-modified corn, after a study in rats linked the grain to cancer.
Address : <http://www.france24.com/en/20120919-france-orders-probe-after-rat-study-links-gm-corn-cancer>

Experts discuss the shocking findings of the peer-reviewed GMO cancer trial
Activist Post
The recent study undeniably linking genetically modified foods (GMOs) to cancer should shock the health world, especially in the United States where the overwhelming majority of grocery store food is derived from GMO-based crops.
Address : <http://www.activistpost.com/2012/09/experts-discuss-shocking-findings-of.html>

New Study Finds GM Corn and Roundup Causes Cancer In Rats
Sayer Ji, Contributor
Activist Post
In an alarming new study published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology, researchers from The Committee for Research & Independent Information on Genetic Engineering (CRIIGEN) reported on the results of a 2-year feeding study in rats given either NK603 Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize, cultivated with or without Roundup, and Roundup alone, at levels permitted in drinking water and GM crops in the United States.
Address : <http://www.activistpost.com/2012/09/new-study-finds-gm-corn-and-roundup.html>

Monsanto Apologists Attempt to Spin Shocking GMO Study
Establishment trots out “experts” in desperate bid to debunk fact that genetically-engineered food is a threat to humanity
Paul Joseph Watson
Prison Planet.com
September 21, 2012
A shocking new study conducted by French scientists which shows that rats fed on Monsanto’s genetically modified corn suffered cancer and premature death has been met with a furious response from GMO apologists, who are desperately trying to cast doubt on the the study in an effort to discredit its findings.
Address : <http://www.prisonplanet.com/monsanto-apologists-attempt-to-spin-shocking-gmo-study.html>

GM crops must be immediately outlawed; Monsanto halted from threatening humanity
The GMO debate is over
Mike Adams
Natural News
September 21, 2012
(NaturalNews) The GMO debate is over. There is no longer any legitimate, scientific defense of growing GM crops for human consumption. The only people still clinging to the outmoded myth that “GMOs are safe” are scientific mercenaries with financial ties to Monsanto and the biotech industry
Address : <http://www.prisonplanet.com/the-gmo-debate-is-over-gm-crops-must-be-immediately-outlawed-monsanto-halted-from-threatening-humanity.html>

Monsanto, pesticide companies have now spent more than $19 million to kill Prop. 37
Ethan A. Huff
Natural News
September 21, 2012
(NaturalNews) The latest campaign finance disclosure records released by California’s Secretary of State reveal that the most evil corporation in the world, Monsanto, has forked over another $2.89 million to kill Proposition 37, the historic bill that, if passed, will require genetically-modified (GM) foods and food ingredients to be labeled at the retail level in California.
Address : <http://www.prisonplanet.com/monsanto-pesticide-companies-have-now-spent-more-than-19-million-to-kill-prop-37.html>