Pesticide Potatoes, Suicide
Seeds, Super-Salmon,
Frankenfoods and Other Culinary
Horrors-
Tales to Turn Your Stomach
By Cynthia Gage
If you shop at a conventional supermarket, you may be putting more than Cheerios and potato chips in your cart. Between 60-70%1 of the food you buy probably contains genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Since foods which contain genetically modified organisms are not required to be labeled as such, fastidious label-readers may see a list of 'Nos' (No sugar, no additives, no preservatives) and unwittingly toss something into the cart that contains "blind" GMO. Few foods are exempt: Taco shells, tortilla chips, drink mixes, fish, corn syrup, products containing corn or soy, many vegetables-including eggplant, squash, tomatoes, corn, cabbage, lettuce, potatoes-even "veggie" burgers and baby formulas, have been "modified." Though agribusiness would have us believe we're buying bigger, better products, the facts show we should be very wary.
Viruses Spliced Into Food
Genetic modification involves altering the natural structure of
DNA coding, often by bringing foreign DNA from another living
thing to the target plant through a "vector," or carrier.
In genetic engineering, viruses are commonly used as vectors,
since they usually attack the host's cells and merge easily into
the cell's DNA. It's cutting and pasting at the submicroscopic
level and, since this is difficult to keep track of, scientists
often mark the vectors with antibiotic-resistant genes. Cells
are then doused with antibiotics and those without the "resistance"
(ie. the natural cells) die. The use of antibiotic-resistant marker
genes in food means that we consume those genes, more than likely
causing the healthful bacteria in our bodies to become antibiotic-resistant
as well.
Farmeceuticals and the New Pharmers
For centuries, farmers have saved seeds to replant for their next
crop, or have used hybrid experimentation to create new varieties
of plants, relying on nature to sanction the experiment. Today,
however, many farmers are held economically hostage by a handful
of giant corporations (say M-O-N-S-A-N-T-O, spell D-U-P-O-N-T)
who have placed patents on their genetically modified food plants,
giving them exclusive control over that food and its seeds. Monsanto
sells farmers genetically engineered seeds called "Roundup
Ready," often requiring them to sign a contract promising
to use only those seeds and the corresponding 'Roundup' herbicide,
manufactured by Monsanto. Roundup is designed to kill virtually
everything green in the field except the genetically engineered
plant.
Some plants are genetically altered and reprogrammed to kill their
own seeds. Referred to as "Terminator Technology," such
seeds cannot be saved and replanted, thus forcing farmers to purchase
new seeds each year from the manufacturer. Created by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Delta & Pine Land (a
company owned by Monsanto), the technology was granted a patent
so broad it allows terminator seeds to be used in the plants and
seeds of all crops. Due to public outcry (over 7,000 people have
written to the USDA expressing their opposition to its use), Monsanto
pledged in late 1999 not to use it. There are, however, 27 similar
patent holders who may or may not follow suit.
More Corporate Control
In their book, Genetically Engineered Food: Changing the Nature
of Nature, Martin Teitel, Ph.D. and Kimberly Wilson note that,
"Entire varieties of plants are now corporate products. In
some cases, entire species are owned. Furthermore, this new technology
is globalized, changing local ecology and tastes to a planetary
monoculture enforced by intricate trade agreements and laws."
For example, USA's DNA Plant Technology is now owned by Empresas
La Moderna, a Mexican seed company that controls approximately
40 percent of U.S. produce!2
A Threat to Biodiveristy
Normally, the boundaries between species are set by nature, but
due to economic pressures, that's changing. In the last 20 years,
genetic splicing has replaced Nature's role in creating hybrid
crops. Plant species in the wild are less vulnerable to insects
and diseases than GMO crops because they have a broad genetic
base to work from, whereas technologically engineered hybrids
create an ever-shrinking genetic pool and erode the natural biodiveristy
inherent in cross-pollination. Gene-spliced "super salmon"
are engineered to grow at four times the rate of their naturally
spawned counterparts. The 'GM' fish are thus available year-round,
filling the tummies of eager consumers and lining the pockets
of developers. While some are delighted to enjoy the feast, others
agree with physicist Dr. John Hegelin, who states: "When
genetic engineers disregard the reproductive boundaries set by
natural law, they run the risk of destroying our genetic encyclopedia,
compromising the richness of our natural biodiversity, and creating
'genetic soup.' What this means to the future of our ecosystem,
no one knows."
Environmental Hazards
Agribusiness knows form public opinion polls that demand for genetically
engineered foods is low and that demand for labeling is high.
Yet, as of 1998, there are 58 million acres3 of "genfoods"
grown in the United States (of approximately 70 million acres
worldwide), and two-thirds of the products on supermarket shelves
are genetically engineered, including 35 percent of all corn,
55 percent of all soybeans and nearly half of all cotton.4 Are
we unwitting guinea pigs in the largest experiment in human history?
Many scientists think so. Some fear that GMOs will be spread by
bird, insect or wind to non-GM crops, as well as to wilderness
areas. Unlike other pollution, genetic contamination can neither
be contained nor cleaned up.
While most GM crops are heavily herbicide or pesticide dependent,
some actually create their own. Monsanto's New Leaf Superior potato
is engineered to produce "Bt" (Bacillus Thuringiensis,
a naturally occuring soil bacterium) in each cell. The potato
itself has been registered as a pesticide with the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency. Since labeling is not required, there is no
way of knowing that the potato you pick up in the grocery is New
Leaf or a regular spud. Should you care?
In early 1999, genetically engineered potatoes were tested on
rats at Rowett Research Institute. After only ten days the animals
suffered substantial health effects, including weakened immune
systems and changes in the development of their hearts, livers,
kidneys and brains. Research scientist Dr. Arpad Pusztai was fired
after he publicly announced his findings and stated that he would
not eat genfoods. A commission convened by his former employers
found his work "deficient." However, another panel of
twenty independent scientists confirmed both his data and his
findings.5
Rationale Rebuttal
Biotechnologists claim that genetic engineering is safe and environmentally
friendly, that it will feed the world and reduce the use of herbicides
and pesticides, and that GMO foods are just like natural foods.
However, transgenic crops are heavily dependent on the use of
chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and often require increased
irrigation, depleting already precious use of water. We reap no
obvious benefits; the genetically modified products don't look
or taste better than non-GMs; they don't cost less or provide
better nutrition. In fact, these novel foods are of questionable
nutritional value and safety; "Genfood" might be more
aptly named, "Frankenfood," since no one really knows
what this ill-conceived creature will do once it's off and running.
Long-Term Health Effects?
Currently, there is no long-term safety testing of genetically
modified organisms. Since genetic engineering can cause unexpected
mutations in an organism, new and higher levels of toxins in foods
can be expected (Inose 1995, Mayeno, 1994). Though extended shelf
life may allow foods to appear fresh and luscious, the nutritional
content of transgenic foods has been shown to be lower than that
of foods traditionally grown. In 1999, the Journal of Medicinal
Food published a study conducted by Dr. Marc Lappe; beneficial
phytoestrogen compounds thought to protect against heart disease
and cancer were found to be lower in genetically altered soybeans.
Additionally, the antibiotically resistant genes within genfoods
may be picked up by bacteria, which may infect us. (New Scientist,
1999) We might also expect increased pollution of food and water
supplies, deletion of important food elements, decreased effectiveness
of antibiotics, unforeseen and undetected toxins, and sick and
suffering livestock. A certain percentage of the population will
more than likely have allergic reactions which, in some cases,
may be severe. Already, it is estimated that 80 million people
experience food related illnesses each year; 9,000 of them die!6
Lobby for Labels
Without labels, public health agencies are powerless to trace
problems that may occur. Codex, an agency of the UN World Health
Organization, is an international group that sets food labeling
standards. While it claims to have the public interest as its
top priority, both the Canadian and U.S. delegations to Codex
meetings have opposed the labeling of genetically modified food.
Interestingly, in both countries nine or ten of thirteen and fourteen
nongovernmental positions, respectively, are filled by large corporations
or industry groups. Some countries have chosen not to wait for
Codex to wade through an eight-step process to create international
food standards-British law currently requires that genetically
modified foodstuffs be labeled.
Bioengineering is a very imprecise science. Unanswered questions
seem worth pondering. Is it safe to cross natural boundaries and
create new species? What happens to the insects that feed on these
transgenic crops? What happens when the wind carries the pollen
from these plants to neighboring fields? What are the reproductive
implications of altering the genetic structure of an animal? What
effect will it have as these changes ripple through our intricate
and profoundly interrelated ecosystem? If such questions concern
you, consider shopping at a natural foods market to obtain organic
food that has been certified as such and is often labeled GMO-free.
Partial List of Genetically Engineered Food
o Frito-Lay Corn Chips
o Bravos Tortilla Chips
o Kellogg's Corn Flakes
o General Mills Total Corn Flakes
o Post Blueberry Morning Cereal
o Heinz 2 Baby Cereal
o Enfamil ProSobee Soy Formula
o Similac Isomil Soy Formula
o Nestle Alsoy Infant Formula
o Quaker Chewy Granola Bars
o Nabisco Snackwell's Granola Bars
o Ball Park Franks
o Duncan Hines Cake Mix
o Ultra Slim Fast
o Gardenburger
o Boca Burger Chef Max's Favorite
o McDonalds McVeggie Burgers
o Alpo Dry Pet Food
o Lite Life Gimme Lean
o Ovaltine Malt Powdered Mix
o Old El Paso Taco Shells
o Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
Source: Consumer Reports 1999
Endnotes
1 Genetically Engineered Foods Are They Safe? You Decide
by Laura and Robin Ticciati, p.xi
2 Jonathan Friedland and Scott Kilman, "As Geneticists Develop
Appetite for Greens, Mr. Romo Flourishes: Mexican Seed Billionaire
Controls Seed Sales Amid Rush To Create New Strains," Wall
Street Journal 28 January 1999, Sec. A
3 Genetically Engineered Food: Changing the Nature of Nature,
by Martin Teitel, Ph.D. and Kimberly A. Wilson, p.17
4 ibid.
5 ibid. p.52
6 "Foodborne Infections" Center for Disease Control
Website http://cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/foodborneinfections_t.htm