Mitchell 1

Kaiya Mitchell

Ms. Kenly

British Literature

27 March 2018

Say No to GMO

Before picking up that box of Ritz Crackers, ever stop and think what all components

make up that product? Sure, one may glance at the ingredients on the back of the box, only to be

overwhelmed by a longevity list of complicated and confusing words that seem as if it wasn’t

written in English, to begin with. Frustrated, one may choose to go down the health food aisle

and look for a more natural food choice, and immediately realize that the majority of the

products have a “GMO-Free” stamp posted proudly on the front cover. Why is it that organic and

all-natural products stress the absence of genetically modified organisms (GMO)? How common

are these additives in the food industry? What risks do these elements pose? Through extensive

research one can come to the conclusion that genetically modified foods should be banned from

America’s supermarket shelves because of its inimical ramifications to human health.

“Stanley Kubrick got it right when he predicted thirty years ago in his film 2001: A Space

Odyssey, that we’d be eating chemical food” (Genetically Modified Food).To be precise this

quote foreshadowed the creation of America’s genetically modified food industry. According to

the environmental working group, it is estimated that an average American consumes around 190

pounds of genetically modified ingredients year round, ignoring the fact that GMOs have not

been tested properly (Stonebrook). But first what are GMOs? Genetically modified organisms,
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commonly referred to as GMOs, are organisms whose genetic build-up has been modified

permanently through biotechnology or genetic engineering (Robbins, 305). Genetic engineering

allows scientist to extract the desired traits from one species and transfer it to another (Ford, 64).

The goal scientist wishes to accomplish by altering a seed’s hereditary blueprint is to have its

forever descendants acquire certain characteristics (Robbins, 305).

Since 1996 genetically modified ingredients have been in most of America’s processed

food (Smith) and recent studies have shown that U.S. farmland holds up to 50 million acres of

genetically modified crops (Siedler, 59).This number may seem trivial compared to America’s

total of 992 million acres of crops, however, once a GMO crop is released to an environment, it

is free to fertilize any other surrounding crop, therefore giving it the ability to inhibit an organic

crop with GMO DNA. So how does one really know if an FDA approved organic product is

really organic? Truth is, it is impossible for one to know, given the fact the lack of GMO

labeling, a person can be consuming a GMO substance without knowing it.

Along with the lack of GMO labeling, there are many flaws within GMO incorporated

companies that cannot be ignored. For one, biotech companies who have been found and

charged guilty of covering up the deadly effects of their synthetic products are in control of

deciding whether their genetically modified products are safe (Smith). Secondly,

corporation-funded GMO immunity studies are too shallow to detect most of the possible risks

GMOs bring and their willing confrontation with the FDA are extensively bashed as a worthless

guise (Smith). Moreover, among many biotech companies such as Monsanto, who claimed that

Agent Orange (an herbicide and defoliant chemical), PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and DDT

(dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) were safe chemicals (which were proved to be otherwise) are

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now using rigged superficial research to try to convince the public that GMOs are safe (Smith).

With this rising new information and research, more people are being educated and

warned about the potential health risks GMO substances pose. Lawsuit files from the scientific

consensus at the FDA state that genetically engineered foods were constitutionally dangerous

and may produce toxins, allergies, new illnesses, nutritional irregularities, and gene transfer to

intestinal bacteria (Weiss). Alongside this lawsuit, the American Academy of Environmental

Medicine (AAEM) has called on doctors to educate their patients about the serious health risks

associated with genetically modified foods: infertility, immune problems, insulin regulation, and

changes in our major organs, accelerated aging, and changes in the gastrointestinal system

(Weiss). The truth about the health risks GMOs pose are starting to come to light, but this is the

start of a long war with America’s twisted food industry.

America needs to be liberated from the plague of genetically modified food because of its

position in animal mortality across the globe. Animals have been shown to die spontaneously in

large quantities after genetically modified crops were introduced to multiple herds. A study

conducted in India showed that herds of sheep (who would normally graze on organic cotton

crops after harvest time) were allowed by their herdsmen to graze on BT (a common pesticide/

chemical produced through biotechnology) cotton plants and as a result, thousands of the sheep

died (Weiss). Similarly, buffalo herds in Andhra Pradesh were raised to graze on organic cotton

fields (and experienced no problems), but on January 3rd of 2008, they were found roaming on

Bt cotton fields for the first time, and the next day, all the buffalo became sick and died within

three days (Weiss). Research has also revealed that when Bt cotton seed was introduced to
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buffalo herds in India, many of the buffalo’s calves became sick and started dying (Smith).

Additionally, several studies have revealed that when chickens were fed Bt corn, their mortality

rate increased by fifty percent (Genetically Modified Food). Not only have farm animals been

shown to die in large numbers immediately after the introduction of GMOs, but lab studies

reveal that genetically modified food also increases the mortality rate in rats. A recent lab study

showed that seven out of forty rats died after eating genetically modified tomatoes (Smith). A

follow-up test showed that after female rats were fed genetically modified soy, the majority of

their offspring died within three weeks of birth (Weiss). Moreover, a study conducted in the

early 1990’s revealed that more than 30 Americans were reported to die after consuming a

genetically modified dietary supplement called L-tryptophan (Ford). This dietary supplement

was highly concentrated with a genetically modified material. So as one can clearly see

genetically modified Bt toxin and other genetically engineered substances have not only been

shown to be lethal to animals, but also to humans. For this reason alone, genetically modified

toxins and substances should under no circumstances be fed to America’s livestock nor validated

for human consumption.

Genetically modified foods have been proven to cause irregularities in the digestive

system, for this reason, GMOs should be unwarranted and banned from the food industry.

Genetically modified corn contains a gene that is coded to produce aprotinin which belongs to a

family of substances known to cause pancreatic disease (an attack to the digestive system) and

other distortions to digestive organs (Cox). On the strength of this finding, studies display that

when animals consumed genetically modified food, their livers were adversely affected. For

example, research done on rats showed that rats who were fed genetically modified potatoes
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suffered from deterioration in the liver (Smith). These rats’ livers became adversely smaller, and

vital parts of this organ began to fall off, this is dangerous because our livers play a vital role in

removing toxins and foreign substances from the body, and when this organ is attacked, the

organism will face damaging effects to its health. Also, rats who were fed genetically modified

canola livers became 12-16% heavier (Smith). These rats’ livers began to swell with liquids and

toxins found inside its body, this causes the rats’ equilibrium to be thrown off, and their bodies

become a hypotonic solution, this will cause the health of the organism to decrease, enabling the

organism to obtain homeostasis and eventually lead to its death. Studies have also shown that

rats were impaired by stomach conditions after consuming genetically engineered foods. For

example, rats that were fed genetically modified corn suffered from debasement to their

stomachs out layer (Ma). These rats’ stomach protective lining started to thin and be eaten away,

this is very alarming because once the stomach's’ outer layer starts to thin, it can cause

damaging acids to leak out into the body and eat away at vital organs, causing the organism to

undergo excruciating pain and a long suffered death. Recent studies in the UK (Britain) showed

that rats who were fed genetically modified potatoes endured swollen stomach walls (Ford).

Once the stomach’s wall swell, this prevents the stomach to constrict and expand; it becomes a

hardball, this can be very uncomfortable to the organism, and make it difficult to digest food.

Along with these studies, autopsies show that sheep that ate Bt cotton plants had black patches

along with severe inflammation on their liver, intestines and bile ducts (Weiss). This finding is

an indication that genetically modified foods attack vital organs in the digestive system.

Moreover, studies have proven that genetically modified soy radically decreases digestive

enzymes in mice (Smith). With the reduced amount of digestive enzymes, the rate of digestion
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and catabolic reactions will be significantly lowered, this can cause the organism to become

sluggish and seemingly sick. On account of these findings, genetically modified materials should

not be incorporated in America’s food industry in the view of the fact that these synthetic

compounds have been proven to cause complications in the digestive system. These digestive

irregularities could have adverse effects on an organism's’ health and wellbeing. Food was made

to be digested and by no means should it attack the digestive system, this is what you call a

foreign terrorist to the human body. So just as America would protect its U.S. citizens from a

terrorist attack, they should protect us from the incendiary attack of genetically modified foods.

Any source or type of genetically altered food/ chemical should be made illegal in

America, given the fact that genetically modified foods have been exposed to destroy the

reproductive system in mammals. Biologist David Schubert of the Salk Institute gives fair

warning that children and fetuses are more immune to the detrimental ramifications of the toxins

and dietary deficiencies genetically modified food brings (Smith). In nature, genes typically

never cross between unlike species, but if this occurs, the offspring produced are unable to have

offspring of their own (Sielder). Studies show that after genetically modified foods were

introduced to the United States, underweight newborns, and infant death/ stillborn have increased

dramatically (Smith). Research has also presented that female mice that were fed gm soy, had a

change in their embryo’s DNA; making the offspring function differently (Smith). When an

embryo’s DNA is altered, it causes mutations to form during its development resulting in birth

defects and disorders that can affect the way the organism functions when it is born.

Furthermore, studies have shown that genetically modified food has detrimental effects on the

male and female reproductive system. Female rats were displayed to suffer from infertility and
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reproductive irregularities due to eating genetically modified food. When female rats were fed

genetically modified soy, they demonstrated mutations in their embryos and uterus (Smith). This

means that the stages of the rats’ embryos were changed and they did not develop correctly and

the rat’ uterus was mutated. Studies held in the state of Haryana, India showed that buffalo who

consumed genetically modified cottonseed struggled with infertility, miscarriages, premature

births, and subsided uteruses (Weiss). Additionally, around two dozen farmers in America

proclaimed that after feeding their pig's genetically modified corn, thousands of their pigs

became infertile, and had experienced false pregnancies, where they gave birth to bags of water

(Weiss). Apart from females, male rats have been shown to suffer from prostate, testicular and

sperm ramifications due to consuming genetically modified food. In an experiment, male rats

were fed genetically modified soy, and as a result, their testicles turned from pink to blue and

mice that were fed genetically modified soy had an alternation in their young sperm (Weiss).

Finally, a series of studies have shown that from 20 to 30 percent of rBGH fed rats portrayed

distinct immunological transformations, while multiple male rats exhibited the development of

cysts of the thyroid and penetration of the prostate. These studies show that genetically modified

food causes distortion in both the male and female reproductive system. This is detrimental to the

future of reproducing organisms because genetically modified food significantly lowers the

fertility rate in mammals and makes it harder for them to conceive a child, and not to mention

genetically modified foods cause birth defects in the offspring that are produced. In sum,

genetically modified food has been exposed to onslaught the reproductive system; animals across

the nation have been shown to struggle with conceiving a child, not mention animals have been

seen to have to have defects in their reproductive organs. For these reasonings, genetically
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transmitted food should be removed from the American food commerce.

Genetically engineered foods are destructive and should be banned from human

consumption being that they have been displayed to change an organism’s DNA and gene build

up. For example, research has shown that 400 genes were altered in mice who were fed

genetically modified food (Doswell). These altered genes were responsible for signaling cell

functions, controlling DNA translation and modification, cholesterol synthesis, and insulin

regulation. These mutations in the DNA are very harmful because those certain gene functions

are vital for the health and functioning of an organism. Genetically modified foods also have

been shown to transform the DNA of an organism. Female mice who were fed gm soy, had a

change in their embryos DNA, making them function differently (Smith). Additionally, plants

that underwent genetic modification were found to have 0.05 to 1 percent of transgenic DNA

contamination found in their seeds (Cox). This gene manipulation process in an organism creates

substantial damage, causing mutations in hundreds or thousands locations in a plant’s DNA.

Lastly, studies have shown that the genetic information infused into genetically modified soy

moves into the DNA of bacteria found in a person’s intestines and continues to function (Weiss).

This means that when a person consumes a genetically modified organism, that mutated DNA

material from the organism stays in that person’s body and continues to mutate their DNA. So, as

one can clearly see, genetically modified food poses a great threat to Americans and in order to

be sheltered from these intimidating risks, GMOs should be completely removed from the food

industry and made unconstitutional.

Americans should be protected against genetically modified foods being that they

produce harmful toxins. Cotton and corn crops have been genetically engineered to create their
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own pesticide in every cell called “Bt” (Weiss). Bt poison is used to kill any bug that eats the

plant, by splitting open the bugs stomach (Weiss). Studies prove that the Bt toxin generated in

genetically engineered plants is a thousand times more potent than natural Bt spray, and is

designed to be more lethal (Weiss). Also, the chemicals and substances genetically modified

plants produce are growth hormones, abortion-inducing drugs, clotting agents, contraceptives,

antibodies, vaccines, industrial enzymes and immune-suppressive cytokines (Cox).These heavily

concentrated, genetically modified, potent chemicals are sprayed on the majority America’s

crops and consumed by Americans on a daily basis. If the government continues to infest

America’s crops with genetically modified chemicals, Americans will soon endure the

ramifications brought on by the harsh chemicals developed in genetic engineering. For this

reasoning, genetically modified food be removed from American food shelves just as a famine or

diseases would be fought from entering this country. Genetically modified foods should be

extirpated from the American food economy for the reason that it has been exposed to cause

allergies and hold allergenic properties. Genetically modified soy was found to be concentrated

up to seven more times with trypsin inhibitor-- a well-known soy allergen. Studies show that

genetically engineered soy and corn have been constructed of two new proteins that hold

allergenic means (Smith). To back these claims, there have been multiple reports/studies that

show after gm food was consumed, allergic reactions were a result. The American Academy of

Environmental Medicine (AAEM) has declared that numerous animal studies have shown

immune deregulation and rises of cytosines that are in accomplice with allergy, asthma, and

inflammation (Weiss). According to the UK, after gm soy was introduced to the region, reported

soy allergies escalated by 50% (Smith). Skin prick studies have also displayed that people
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reacted to genetically modified soy, while no one reacted to non-GMO soy (Smith). In 2008,

based on medical records, the Sunday India reported, “Victims of itching have increased

massively this year… related to Bt cotton farming” (Smith). In addition, farmers from Texas

have claimed that they’ve developed blisters all over their arms after harvesting a new kind of

genetically modified celery made to resist specific diseases. This celery was manufacturing a

substance that caused skin reactions (Sherrow). Studies show that when hundreds of people were

exposed to Bt spray, they suffered from allergy-type symptoms (Smith). Farmers in India have

claimed to have allergic reactions from managing Bt corn (Smith). With the abundant amount of

research and studies that prove genetically modified food is a known cause of allergies and

allergy-like symptoms, it is hard for one to deny that GMOs are harmful. In order to protect

Americans from the immunological ramifications GMOs create, the industry of genetically

modified food products should be abolished completely.

America has been plagued with the billion dollar industry of genetically modified foods

for the last decade. These insidious entities have been murdering the health of Americans across

the nation for generations and yet no true public consent has been put into action. Genetically

modified foods are the cause of the skyrocket of allergies, infertility stillborn/ infant mortality,

disease, sickness, cancer, animal mortality, and disabilities/ disorders. In order to stop this

inimical cycle of the disintegration of human health, genetically modified foods must be made

unconstitutional and outlawed from any and all human consumption. The constitution states,

“The liberties of our country, the freedoms of our civil Constitution are worth defending all

hazards; it is our duty to defend them against all attacks...” Whose defending Americans from the

attacks on their well-being brought on by genetically modified food? One must stand up and
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speak out against the enslavement on human health and call out the FDA and government for not

effectively educating the U.S. citizens of the inimical ramifications of human status brought on

by genetically modified food. We must come together and take back our God-given right of

quality natural food and give Mother Nature back her liberty of producing food from her most

organic state. Eat to Live; NOT Live to Eat.

Works Cited

Cox, Jeff. The Organic Food Shopper's Guide. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2008. Print.

Ford, Brian J. The Future of Food. 500 Fifth Avenue: Thames & Hudson Inc., 2000. Print.

"Genetically Modified Foods." The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM).

N.p., 22 June 2014. Web. 3 Feb. 2015.

Ma, Julian K., Pascal M. Drake, and Suzie Key. "Genetically Modified Plants and Human

Health." Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. The Royal Society of Medicine, 1

June 2008. Web. 3 Feb. 2015

Robbins, John. The Food Revolution: How Your Diet Can Help Save Your Life and Our World.

Berkley: Conari Press, 2001. Print.

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Sherrow, Victoria. Food Safety. Ed. Alan Marzili. Chelsea House, 2008. Print.

Siedler, Maurya. The Ethics of Genetic Engineering. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven, 2005.

Print.

Smith, Jeffrey M. “Doctors Warn: Avoid Genetically Modified Food.”Institute for Responsibility

Technology. Copyright © 2006-2014 The Institute for Responsible Technology. 19 May

2013. Web. 3 February 2015.

Smith, Jeffrey M. "Health Risks." Institute for Responsibility Technology. Copyright ©

2006-2014 The Institute for Responsible Technology, n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.

Smith, Jeffrey M. "10 Reasons to Avoid GMOs." Institute for Responsible Technology. N.p.,

n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.

Stonebrook, Shelley. "4 Potential Health Risks of Eating GMO Foods." Care2 Healthy Living.

N.p., 9 Mar. 2013. Web. 3 Mar. 2015.

Weiss, Thomas C. "Genetically Modified Foods and Health Risks." Disabled World. N.p., 6 May

2014. Web. 13 Mar. 2015.

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