The Future of GMO’s
As we learned in the last two articles, most GMO’s currently are designed to resist herbicides and pesticides, for the purpose of increasing crop yields. But this is just the beginning of the plan in developing GMO’s, with a goal to benefit mankind and improve the food supply of the world.
Scientists are now doing research into “second-generation” GMO crops that will feature increased nutritional and/or industrial traits, which, they claim, will provide more direct benefits to consumers. Examples include: Rice enriched with iron, vitamin A and E, and lysine; potatoes with higher starch content, and inulin; edible vaccines in maize, banana and potatoes; maize varieties with low phytic acid and increased essential amino acids; healthier oils from soybean and canola; allergen-free nuts. No longer are scientists just looking at increasing crop yields, but they are looking to enhance the nutritional value of the GMO’s they engineer.
One GMO product that was engineered for the market was Golden Rice, which contains a large amount of A-vitamins in the form of beta-carotene. For the Golden Rice to make beta-carotene three new genes are implanted: two from daffodils and the third from a bacterium. The benefit is that the rice can be considered a particular advantage to poor people in underdeveloped countries to increase Vitamin A intake. The disadvantage is that Golden Rice seeds are patented by large companies. By making the plants sterile these large companies can prevent farmers from growing plant-seed for the following year—forcing them to buy new rice seeds from the companies every year. Most farmers in underdeveloped countries cannot afford to buy these seeds on a yearly basis.
Some opponents of genetic modification see Golden Rice as a method of making genetic engineering more widely accepted. They fear that companies will go on to develop other genetically modified plants from which they can make a profit, and thus control access to seeds via patents. On August 8, 2013 an experimental plot of Golden Rice being developed in the Philippines was uprooted by protesters. Because of controversy surrounding this new rice, as of January 2016, Golden Rice has not yet been grown commercially in any country.
Up until last year, GMO’s for human consumption were only plant-based. However, in November 2015, the first genetically modified animal for human consumption was approved. This is the first time that a genetically altered animal has been approved. The new species, The “Aqua Bounty” salmon, named by the company which developed it, contains a growth hormone from the Chinook salmon and a “genetic switch” from the ocean pout, an eel-like creature, that keeps the transplanted gene continuously active, so that the salmon would continue to grow all year round. Typically a salmon’s own growth hormone is active only during parts of the year. These genetically modified salmon grow at a faster rate, allowing the salmon to reach market weight in 18–20 months, as opposed to the usual 28–38 months. Hence, bigger profits for producers of this salmon.
The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in USA determined it could regulate the genetically engineered salmon under the new “animal drug” provision of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act because the new DNA introduced into the animal meets the definition of a “drug.” The FDA also determined that the fish does not need to be labelled as genetically engineered. The FDA also ignored millions of Americans, and more than 40 members of Congress. They also ignored the concerns of more than 300 environmental, consumer, health, and animal welfare organizations, salmon and fishing groups and associations, food companies, chefs and restaurants, who have expressed opposition. Many companies, stores, and restaurants are refusing to sell GMO salmon. The public does not want GMO foods. However it appears that the companies who manufacture GMO’s are not listening, and continue to play around with nature as God designed. What will scientists do next? How long until they introduce animal DNA into plants? This will be a nightmare for people who choose not to have any animal products in their diets.
HOW CAN RISKS FROM GMO FOODS BE REDUCED?
There must be an obligation of the technology innovators (i.e., scientists), producers, and the government to assure the public of the safety of GMO foods. This needs to be a commitment taken on by all stakeholders involved. Not only must human safety be taken into consideration, but they must ensure that the GMO foods have no negative effect on the environment. There is a widening economic gap between developed countries who are able to access the technology versus the developing countries who cannot. GMO foods were promoted to increase crop yields; however, developing countries are unable to afford GMO seeds, which are owned by the companies who patent GMO’s; therefore this technology does not increase food availability to these countries. Some countries are acknowledging what research is has proven, and have either limited GMO crops, or they are labeling foods as GMO to allow consumers to make informed choices on what they eat. However, many governments, including Canada and the United States have ignored all evidence from studies that independent laboratories have done that conclude that GMO’s and the use of the herbicide, glyphosate, which is used on GMO crops have risks to human health. They have chosen to side with the large companies that create profits, that pour large amounts of money into the economy. Therefore, we as consumers need to ensure that we have all the information needed to make healthy food choices, and avoid GMO’s as much as possible.
HOW TO AVOID GMO FOODS
In countries that do not use labeling to identify GMO foods, avoid eating products that are made from the top GM foods. This includes eating processed foods that contain corn, soy, cottonseed and sugar. As the risks of GM foods become more widely known, many food companies are choosing to label their food products as non-GMO to promote their food as a healthier alternative to GM foods. As you go to the grocery store, notice that there is an increasing number of products labeled “non-GMO”. Due to the lack of government cooperation in labelling GMO foods, non-profit organizations such as the Non-GMO Project are committed to preserving and building the non-GMO food supply, educating consumers, and providing verified non-GMO choices.
In Canada, always look for the Canada Organic logo. Organic products are not allowed to contain genetically modified foods. This label also extends to non-food organic products. This “organic” labeling also has the same application in other countries.
Since so many alternatives to dairy products are made from soybeans, be aware that they may contain GM materials. Always buy ORGANIC soy products, which will not contain GM soy. Many soy products may also contain non-GMO labeling.
Most corn, soybean, cottonseed, and canola oils produced in North America almost certainly contain genetically modified products. To avoid GMO’s, choose pure olive, coconut, sesame, sunflower, safflower, almond, grapeseed, and peanut oils.
Choose preserves, jams, and jellies made with dehydrated cane sugar, not unspecified “sugar”, which will likely contain GMO’s in the form of beet sugar or corn syrup.
For those who still consume dairy products, the following caution should be noted. Cows are injected with the genetically engineered hormone, rbGH, into their cows to boost milk production. Many dairy products with labels that indicate they do not use rbGH. So, one may think that this would be a healthy product to use. However, their cows may still be fed with GMO feeds. Organic dairy products are, however, all rbGH-free and do not use GMO grains as feed.
Milk or soy protein is the basis of most infant formulas. The ingredients in these products are often GMO soy, or milk from cows injected with rbGH and fed GMO feeds. Many brands also add GMO-derived corn syrup, corn syrup solids, or soy lecithin.
In looking for snack items, look for snacks made from wheat, rice, or oats, and ones that use sunflower or safflower oils. There is no GM popcorn on the market, nor is there blue or red GM corn.
Other than corn, no GM grains are sold on the market. Look for 100 percent wheat flour, pasta, couscous, rice, quinoa, oats, barley, sorghum, and dried beans (except soybeans).
While baking ingredients such as wheat flour, rice, and oats are not genetically modified, many packaged breads and bakery items contain other GMO ingredients such as corn syrup, soy flour, and sugar from sugar beets. Many frozen and packaged meals are highly processed. Keep an eye out for the Big Four at-risk ingredients (corn, soy, canola, cotton) and non-cane sugars. Stay away from frozen/packaged meals that contain them, unless they are marked organic or non-GMO. The more natural we can keep our diet, the less chance we have of eating GMO products.
With the mounting evidence that GM foods are not beneficial to mankind, why are GM seeds and crops so prevalent? The main reason is money. Monsanto and other GM conglomerates are becoming very rich from GM foods. They also have a lot of money to lobby governments to accept the cultivation of GMO foods in their countries.
ARE GMO’S WHAT GOD INTENDED FOR OUR FOOD?
I think that the readers would all agree that the obvious answer to this q uestion would be “no”. God created the perfect diet for us. Adherence to the original diet would ensure that mankind would be able to feed the world. However, man has perverted his appetite for food that is harmful. Land to feed and house livestock used for food uses a lot more of the earth’s resources than if all the land for feeding mankind was used for plant crops. If mankind adhered to a plant-based diet, the amount of food available to feed the world’s population would be much higher. Many of the developing countries that are becoming more affluent are increasing the demand for meat and dairy products, which are considered the food for the rich.
An increasing percentage of crops previously used solely for food are now being funnelled into providing biofuels for the rich countries. The demand for biofuel feedstocks is overwhelming a food supply system that was already overextended by a surging demand. Moreover, the demand for biofuel affects even non-feedstock crops, such as rice and wheat, as farmers plant biofuel feedstocks instead of food. Because of this, world-wide, prices for food have begun soaring. Man has also destroyed the climate with various chemicals and affected the ability for crops to grow, e.g. years-long drought in California.
There also continues to be a problem with food distribution—the rich have too much food, the poor have too little. Some 795 million people in the world do not have enough food to lead a healthy active life. That’s about one in nine people on earth. Poor nutrition causes nearly half (45%) of deaths in children under five, 3.1 million children each year. According to the United Nations, about 21,000 people die every day of hunger or hunger-related causes. This is one person every four seconds.
As GMO foods continue as a food crop for both man and animals, in ever increasing numbers, the negative impact of GMO’s on the health of mankind will also increase. Man has destroyed this earth with his “many inventions.” “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” Ecclesiastes 7:29
As Christians and health reformers, we need to be armed with the knowledge to choose our diet wisely, this includes being well informed about GMO foods and their impact on our health. The more knowledge that we have about GMO foods, and how to avoid them, will allow us to “glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:20