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The Dangers of Genetically Modified Food (GMO)

Jeffrey Smith, author of "Seeds of Deception" (Yes! Books,September
2003), describes the pervasiveness and hazards of genetically modified
(GM) foods found in the foods we eat, many of which are not listed on
the labels.

There are several places genetically modified foods are found. Smith
identifies seven genetically modified food crops. Soy, corn, cottonseed,
and canola are all commonly used in vegetable oils. Soy and corn
derivatives are omnipresent in processed foods, and there are also
Hawaiian papaya, and small amounts of zucchini and yellow squash.
Additionally, there are dairy products that come from cows that have
been injected with rGBH, a synthetic growth hormone, and there are
genetically modified enzymes and food additives not usually identified
on food labels. One exception is aspartame, a genetically engineered
sweetener. Also included in the list of GM foods are milk and dairy
products that come from animals fed genetically modified grain.

Smith says the potential hazards of eating GM foods include increased
cancer rates, increased allergies, and the transfer of genes from the GM
foods to the cells of bacteria in our bodies, and possibly our DNA. He
states, "The only human feeding study ever conducted on GM foods
verified the gene inserted on a stable basis. This means long after you
stop eating a genetically modified food, you might have this foreign
protein produced inside your gut. One more scary example would be if you
ate a genetically modified corn chip, and the gene that produces the BT
toxin (the pesticide) were to transfer to your gut bacteria, it could
theoretically transform your intestinal flora into living pesticide
factories. . . possibly for the rest of your life. In addition, genes
might also transfer into your own cellular DNA, causing it to produce
foreign proteins."

There are things you can do to protect yourself from unknowingly buying
and consuming GM foods. You can use the GMO food guide (easily found on
line) and avoiding the items mentioned above. You can also examine the
produce stickers on the fruits and vegetables you buy. The PLU code for
conventionally grown produce consists of four numbers. The GM produce
has five numbers prefaced with the number eight. Buy organic produce as
often as you can. By definition, food that is certified organic must be
free from all GM organisms.

What you can do:
- Buy organic produce as often as you can. By definition, food that is
certified organic must be free from all GM organisms.
- Along with using the GMO Food Guide and avoiding the products
mentioned above, there's other tricks you that can use to figure out if
something is genetically modified in your fresh produce aisles:
- Examine produce stickers on the fruits and vegetables you buy. The PLU
code for conventionally grown fruit consists of four numbers;
organically grown fruit has five numbers prefaced by the number nine;
and GM fruit has five numbers prefaced by the number eight.

For the full article, go to http://www.sharegui de.com/SmithJeff rey.html