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The Basics
Understanding GMO's and why they are in our food.
Have you heard about the crisis consumers are now facing with the very disturbing domination of corporate influence and big biotech companies injecting GMO's (genetically modified organisms) into our food supply? What is GMO? It stands for Genetically Modified Organisms and has been the cornerstone of the biotechnology industry since the early 1990’s. Genetically modified organisms are basically cells whose genetic material (DNA) has been altered – which means pieces of DNA (genes) from various species have been spliced into the DNA of a host cell, creating an organism that functions differently than it would in an untampered natural state. This is fundamentally different from normal cross-breeding techniques which involve the mating of like-species to generate favorable traits in offspring through time and has been done for thousands of years. To better understand what a GMO is and why it matters to you, a little background in genetics is helpful. To begin with, a strand of DNA is essentially a long chain of genes strung together. The number of genes as well as their order in this chain is critically important, as it determines the identity of a biological system. For example, all DNA basically looks the same at the molecular level – a section of DNA in a frog looks the same as that in a human or a zebra, but the overall amount of DNA may be more in one than the other and the order in which the DNA is arranged (its sequence), is also different. This variation in the way DNA is packaged (amount and sequence) determines what any living organism will be: plant, animal, or human. Decades ago, scientists discovered that genes are responsible for the expression of all traits in a biological organism; for instance a gene may produce a particular protein that goes on to express the color of skin or shape of a leaf. In any species, the total number of genes makes up what is called the genome, which is the complete set of genetic instructions that determines what an organism is, how it will look, and what its behavior will be. As technology advanced, scientists have been able to map entire genomes (including the human genome), making it possible to identify gene locations and correlate them to particular traits. It is this principle that led scientists to the idea of taking genes from one organism and placing it into another; essentially creating new traits in a species that would normally not be there; for example taking genes that code for scorpion venom and placing it in cabbage plants to function as an insecticide. How does this relate to the GMO discussion? It relates in that biotech corporations like Monsanto have been using this technology in our food supply since the 1990’s mainly to increase crop yields – which to date has not been as successful as planned or promised. The United States is the world leader in producing genetically modified crops. GMO's are in approximately 80% of all processed foods in grocery stores and accounts for a large portion of fruits and vegetables that are sold to consumers – yet it is not required to be labeled as such. |
The primary GM crops are soy, corn, cotton, sugar-beet, and various produce with others in the pipeline to be commercialized. Genetically modified soy and corn alone are used in a plethora of food products that we consume every day and are also in a majority of livestock and animal feed, which means most meat contains GMO. The point is, we are consuming food that has had its DNA fundamentally changed for the purpose of increasing the profits of biotech and food corporations. Research has shown that there is an alarming risk in consuming these GM foods as there may be unforeseen consequences to human health down the line which may not be immediately apparent.
The Six Kings
The world’s six largest seed GM biotech firms are BASF, Bayer Crop Science, Dow, DuPont, Monsanto, and Syngenta. Together, these six corporations account for nearly 70% of the world’s chemical market and nearly 100% of its genetically modified seeds. Since dominating the first rung in the industrial food chain (commercial seeds), the Six Kings now determine to a large degree, the current priorities and future direction of agriculture worldwide.
These corporations have an agenda that promotes genetic engineering, chemical dependence and a monopoly of gene patents preventing fair competition in the public and private sectors. Due to their enormous influence, anti-trust laws and other legislation have been crafted in their favor, putting them beyond reach of many regulatory protocols. For example, a recent provision in the US agriculture appropriations bill dubbed “The Monsanto Protection Act," prevents federal courts from stopping the production of new genetically engineered crops even if they are shown to be a health risk to consumers. Through their dominance in the agriculture markets around the world, these companies have created a climate of farmer dependence and hence, food-consumer dependence. According to agricultural economists, U.S. farmers have implemented genetically engineered seeds and their related chemicals faster than any agricultural technology in history. The incredible commercial success of genetically engineered crops in the U.S. and a handful of other countries illustrates the contradiction inherent in these new technologies being introduced into markets with minimal governmental regulation and oversight – that is, crop yields are not higher as promised, pesticide toxicity and use is increasing, and medical health reports are emerging that show a direct link between consumption of GM foods and afflictions of cancer, gastro-intestinal complications, sterility, and birth defects. They are not as safe as these companies claim. Although the biotech industry’s public relations machine has perpetuated the myth that they are bolstering agricultural productivity worldwide and feeding the hungry, the reality is far different. The Big Six are exploiting farmers, forcing them into bankruptcy and foreclosure; just consider the plight of the Indian farmers whose suicides top one quarter million due to the pressures of enormous debt and loss of land brought on by Monsanto alone. It is important to examine the combined power and influence of the GM biotech Six Kings because these corporations are not only competitors; they are also collaborators in a growing agriculture market. Monsanto has recently partnered with DuPont in a joint sharing of gene technologies that, combined, will mutually benefit each company to reach broader markets and bring even more profit to themselves. These corporations have gained a huge monopoly in the biotech seed sector and have the power to influence regulatory agencies and governments around the world to adopt the genetically modified crop philosophy, and to ultimately gain control of all food markets. |
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To learn more about the GMO debate and its issues, listen to Anna Kavanaugh on Mad Science: The Genetic Crossroad, a talk radio series covering it all!
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GMO Hiding
With all the talk about GMO’s, how much of it really is in the marketplace? It might be shocking to know that GMO ingredients make up approximately 80% of all conventionally processed foods, and are also found in produce and meats. It is staggering to consider how pervasive genetically modified foods have become in our culture and also that they seem to have suddenly appeared “overnight." One of the reasons for this is the lack of labeling requirements. In the 1990’s, the FDA determined that GM foods were substantially equivalent to their conventional counterparts and therefore should not require labeling. It is interesting to note that this policy was designed and written by Michael Taylor, a former Vice-President of Monsanto who later assumed a position as the Deputy Commissioner for Foods at the FDA; a position he currently holds.
Without labels, it is difficult to know exactly which products contain GMO’s; we would probably be stunned to know how many. For example, conventional meats and dairy products are all big carriers, mainly because livestock feed is made from GMO crops – particularly corn and alfalfa – and also because many of these animals are injected with GMO hormones to increase their production or weight. Most baking ingredients contain some form of GMO in them – corn starch, corn syrup, corn flour, sugar, aspartame, chocolate, baking powder, nuts, various oils such as corn, canola, and cottonseed. Items like bread, muffins, cakes, crackers, and chips all contain GMO’s. If you are thinking beverages, all processed fruit juices, soft drinks, soy drinks, and milk have GMO’s in them. You will be hard-pressed to find any conventional food that does not contain genetically modified organisms.
GMO’s hide in other products too. Cotton is one of the largest GM crops around – it is also considered one of the dirtiest due to the heavy application of crop insecticides, which are extremely hazardous to human and animal health. Cotton is treated with toxic chemicals before it is harvested and all through its post-processing as a fabric – this presents a potential threat because these chemicals can be absorbed into the skin, making babies and young children particularly at risk. Also, the cottonseed hull, where many pesticide residues tend to accumulate, is where cotton seed oil is derived – and is used in salad dressings, shortening, and in a host of other processed foods. Estimates say that as much as 65% of cotton bi-product ends up in our food supply, whether directly through food oil or indirectly through milk and meat products. Another culprit is body powder made with corn starch – this includes baby powder and others. Since corn is one of the top GM crops produced in the world, it is highly likely that the corn starch in your body powder is laden with GMO that can be absorbed into the skin. And how about those cosmetic products? Since plant-derived ingredients are common among many cosmetics, you’ll find GMO’s there too – for example, canola – a huge GM crop – has been modified to produce high levels of Lauric acid, a key ingredient in soaps and detergents. Cosmetic ingredients are also derived from GMO ingredients like corn oil, corn flour, soybean oil, lecithin and proteins produced by yeast. The common denominator to most of these is that they are applied directly to the skin and therefore provide a pathway for GMO’s to enter the body. In fact, any product applied to the body such as: sunscreen, lip balm, or shampoos, etc. are all suspect unless they are labeled as “Organic”.
Without labels, it is difficult to know exactly which products contain GMO’s; we would probably be stunned to know how many. For example, conventional meats and dairy products are all big carriers, mainly because livestock feed is made from GMO crops – particularly corn and alfalfa – and also because many of these animals are injected with GMO hormones to increase their production or weight. Most baking ingredients contain some form of GMO in them – corn starch, corn syrup, corn flour, sugar, aspartame, chocolate, baking powder, nuts, various oils such as corn, canola, and cottonseed. Items like bread, muffins, cakes, crackers, and chips all contain GMO’s. If you are thinking beverages, all processed fruit juices, soft drinks, soy drinks, and milk have GMO’s in them. You will be hard-pressed to find any conventional food that does not contain genetically modified organisms.
GMO’s hide in other products too. Cotton is one of the largest GM crops around – it is also considered one of the dirtiest due to the heavy application of crop insecticides, which are extremely hazardous to human and animal health. Cotton is treated with toxic chemicals before it is harvested and all through its post-processing as a fabric – this presents a potential threat because these chemicals can be absorbed into the skin, making babies and young children particularly at risk. Also, the cottonseed hull, where many pesticide residues tend to accumulate, is where cotton seed oil is derived – and is used in salad dressings, shortening, and in a host of other processed foods. Estimates say that as much as 65% of cotton bi-product ends up in our food supply, whether directly through food oil or indirectly through milk and meat products. Another culprit is body powder made with corn starch – this includes baby powder and others. Since corn is one of the top GM crops produced in the world, it is highly likely that the corn starch in your body powder is laden with GMO that can be absorbed into the skin. And how about those cosmetic products? Since plant-derived ingredients are common among many cosmetics, you’ll find GMO’s there too – for example, canola – a huge GM crop – has been modified to produce high levels of Lauric acid, a key ingredient in soaps and detergents. Cosmetic ingredients are also derived from GMO ingredients like corn oil, corn flour, soybean oil, lecithin and proteins produced by yeast. The common denominator to most of these is that they are applied directly to the skin and therefore provide a pathway for GMO’s to enter the body. In fact, any product applied to the body such as: sunscreen, lip balm, or shampoos, etc. are all suspect unless they are labeled as “Organic”.
