Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act

Today, in support of Senator Richard Blumenthal’s federal bill to label genetically engineered organisms, we attended his press conference.  Senator Blumenthal has introduced a fair federal GMO labeling bill that would require mandatory labeling and would counter the "DARK Act" which would NOT require mandatory labeling and would pre-empt the states rights to require mandatory labeling.

90% of Americans want the right that 64 other countries give their citizens, TRANSPARENCY.  The opposition to GMO labeling is counting on congress to do its dirty work.  What has become known as the “DARK Act” (Deny Americans Right to Know), looks like an industry wish list: pre-emption of current and future state GMO labeling laws and codifying the failed voluntary labeling system that has been in existence since 2001. It also gives more power to the FDA (aka Michael Taylor from Monsanto) to insure the “safety” of our food…  If the "DARK Act" passes, the CT GMO labeling law will become obsolete.  Also, foods that are genetically engineered will be legally allowed to be labeled as “natural.”

Senator Blumenthal’s bill, The Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act would require the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to label GE food and foods containing GE ingredients. This bill is modeled after CT’s law. Senator Blumenthal is fighting for our right to know at the federal level, but if the opposition succeeds in passing the "DARK Act", it will shut down his efforts.

What Lies Ahead as Biotech Prepares to Take Over the World's Food Supply

19 years ago, the biotechnology industry took control of the major US cash crops, including, corn, soy, canola, and sugar beets.  94% of those crops grown in the U.S. are now genetically engineered to be tolerant of Roundup (glyphosate), filled with Bt Toxin (which makes a worm's stomach explode) or both.

Recently, GE russet potatoes and apples were approved by the USDA - the agency that oversees agriculture in the United States, to keep our food "safe."

Now, more than ever, we need to get labeling laws passed.  The presence of these foods is expected to grow dramatically!

Here is a list of GMO crops being developed: apples, barley, bell peppers, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cherries, chili peppers, coffee, cranberries, cucumber, flax, grapefruit, kiwi, lentils, lettuce, melons, mustard, oats, olives, onions, peanuts, pears, peas, persimmons, pineapple, popcorn, radishes, strawberries, sugar cane, sunflower, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, walnuts and watercress.(1)(2)

19 years ago, internal scientists in the FDA noted that genetic engineering may introduce new toxins and allergens. Their observations however, were suppressed by FDA administrators (2). Without labeling, it is impossible to track any possible impacts on human health, and once these breeds are out they can't be recalled. For these reasons and many more, it is imperative now, more than ever, that we demand GMO labeling. As more farmers hear these demands, and as consumers boycott GE food, we will stop the proliferation of these new "items" into our food supply by chemical companies. This experiment on our bodies and especially our children's bodies, will only stop if we demand labeling and push the market to respond to our preferences. Don't expect your federal government to do it for you; your health and best interests are not as important as corporate profits and the economy.

Sources:
1) Dagoberto, Martin,  Citizens For GMO Labeling, "A Case for Urgent State Action on Food Labeling Transparency," March, 2015.
2)  Sesana, Laura, "EPA raises levels of glyphosate residue allowed in food,"  The Washington Times, July 5, 2013.

Correlation Does Not Mean Causation: And How Labeling Can Help.

Last Month, the following graph appeared on twitter. It seems a little ridiculous, which I believe was the original author’s intent – to show that correlation does not always prove causation.

People have been eating organic food since the beginning of time. It was called “food.” Autism incidence has increased dramatically since GMOs and the chemicals they are engineered to resist were introduced into our food supply.  An increasing number of people are purchasing “organic” food as they learn that conventional food may contain contaminants such as glyphosate, neonicotinoids, 2,4-D (a component of Agent Orange,) atrazine, gluphosinate, dicamba, and other chemicals.

We can’t prove that the increase in sales of organic food has anything to do with the rise in autism, which is the point, I believe that the original author was trying to make: coincidental data does not prove causation.

There are no studies indicating that organic food causes autism.  However, over 1,800 scientific references including studies, surveys, and analyses suggest various adverse impacts and potential adverse impacts of genetically engineered (GE/GMO) crops, foods and related pesticides.

Source

The rise in organic food sales has nothing to do with the rise in the autism rate, and everything to do with the growing awareness of food contamination. This contamination of our food and water is causing toxins to get lodged in our bodies where they slowly degrade our health and take away our lives. Here is an interesting article indicating that 80% of American parents report purchasing organic foods, and why.

From birth (through formula or breast milk containing chemicals) until we’re on our death beds (where we are often given “supplemental nutrition,”) we are being exposed to such toxins.

Once GMOs are labeled, we will be able to more easily trace intakes of GMOs and their corresponding chemicals as they relate to autism and other chronic disease. Once GMOs are labeled, we may be able to prove that, in a given case, correlation does indeed prove causation.  Once GMOs are labeled, we may finally be able to hold the companies who have been altering our food accountable and liable.

What are GMOs?

What are GMOs?

GMOs are genetically engineered foods made in laboratories owned by chemical companies.  The process of genetic engineering involves the insertion of genes from one species into the DNA of an unrelated species.  This is a very new process, which has not been around for thousands of years, as some from the biotech industry would like us to believe. In fact, genetic engineering is only about 20 years old. IT IS NOT THE SAME THING AS CROSS BREEDING OR HYBRIDIZATION.

Most of the traits that have been engineered into our foods are done so to create herbicide tolerant varieties and pesticide producing varieties. Herbicide tolerant crops are resistant to chemicals such as glyphosate, dicamba, and 2,4-D (a component of Agent Orange.)  Pest resistant (pesticide producing) varieties are engineered to contain a toxin in every cell of the crop that causes a bug’s stomach to explode when it tries to eat the plant.

When we eat these foods, we are ingesting the chemicals that were sprayed on the crops and/or the toxins engineered to kill. These substances are in 80% of the processed foods in America today. They are found in human blood, breast milk, and urine.  Glyphosate, the chemical sprayed on most of these crops, was recently granted a pass by the US EPA. The allowable levels on food were doubled.  To put this in perspective, soybean oil is now allowed to contain thousands of times the limit of glyphosate at which it can impact health.

The dramatic increase in the use of agrichemicals, such as glyphosate, correlates with a rise in more than 30 human diseases. Originally patented as a mineral chelator, glyphosate immobilizes nutrients, making them unavailable for the body. Glyphosate is also patented as an antibiotic that can devastate human gut bacteria. (Aka the micro biome, or the immune system.)

What crops are genetically engineered/contain GMOs?

Herbicide tolerant:  sugar beets, rapeseed (canola), alfalfa.

Herbicide tolerant and pesticide producing: corn, soy, cotton.

Resistant to virus: Hawaiian papaya, zucchini, crookneck squash.

Corn:  There are hundreds of derivatives of corn found in processed foods, like maltodextrine, certain vitamins, and high fructose corn syrup.  For a complete list, download www.nongmoshoppingguide.com

Soy:  Soy containing products, such as soy lecithin, MSG, and soy protein isolate are just some of the ingredients in processed foods that are genetically modified.  For a complete list, download www.nongmoshoppingguide.com

Canola: This is a highly processed oil,(winterized, deodorized, bleached, genetically modified,  and chemically drenched) made from rapeseed.

Cotton: Cotton seeds are sprayed with the chemical hexane to expel oil, which is then used to cook things like potato chips, other fried foods, and is used to make man-made lard and margarine.

Sugar beets: This type of beet is used to make sugar. 50% of the sugar in products which list “sugar” on the label is comprised of genetically modified sugar beets.

Alfalfa: A perennial, alfalfa is used to feed grass-fed livestock. Since it has been genetically modified, 100% grass-fed meat may not be GMO free.

Russet potatoes: The newest crop to get USDA approval.

How did GMOs get into our food? 

In 1996 genetically engineered foods were secretly infiltrated into our food supply, without thorough safety investigations. 

 In fact, genetically modified foods were given GRAS status, (generally recognized as safe) even though they did not meet any of the criteria which is specified for products to meet GRAS status, in the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.  In other words, GMOs did not meet ANY of the criteria established by our government, to be Generally Recognized As Safe, but were  given GRAS status anyway, despite inadequate safety testing and warnings from FDA’s internal scientists.

1) They were not substances that have been around for hundreds of years, and

2) They had not gone through scientific, independent, thorough, peer reviewed, long term testing.

(The two requirements to meet GRAS status.)

The US Government was advised that GE foods were “substantially equivalent,” yet the EPA determined that GE corn was so FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT, they decided that it must be regulated as a pesticide, and GE corn was given an EPA registration number.

At the same time, the US Patent and Trademark Office agreed to patent GMO seeds, (because the unique characteristics made them a novelty.) This enhanced and protected profitability.

Steven M. Druker, J.D., an attorney, sued the FDA for 44,000 sealed documents. These documents were written by internal FDA scientists concerned about the dangers of GMOs. Druker states that allowing these substances into the US food supply was/is illegal, based on these documents and the GRAS status they were given.

What are the possible health risks associated with GMOs?

 Genetically Engineered foods have never been scientifically tested in human trials.

When animals fed GM foods and/or glyphosate, are studied by independent scientists for a period greater than three months however, results find damage to vital organs like the liver and kidneys, damage to gut tissues and gut flora, immune system disruption, reproductive abnormalities, and tumors. These scientific studies continue to be ignored by those who should be protecting us.

There is also a strong correlation between the onset of GMOs into our food supply and the rapid rise in many health problems including: food allergies, autism, ADHD, asthma, infertility, stage II diabetes, obesity, birth defects, inflammatory bowel disease and cancer.  Without labeling, these correlations can not be proven. We must have GMO foods labeled so that we can trace and hold accountable what may very well be causing such a rapid rise in debilitating health trends.

Currently, the FDA, EPA, and USDA rely on outdated studies and other information funded and supplied by chemical companies that, not surprisingly, dismiss all health concerns. (These companies profit from the sale of the GM seeds as well as the sale of the pesticides that the seeds are resistant to.)

                                              

Countries that ban or label GMOS:

Currently 64 countries ban or require labeling of foods containing GMOs. These countries include member nations of the European Union, Russia, China, Brazil, Australia, Turkey and South Africa.

 For a complete list of countries that ban or require labeling, please consult The Center For Food Safety’s website:  http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/issues/976/ge-food-labeling/international-labeling-laws

Suggested resources to learn more about GMOs:

Books:  Seeds of Deception by Jeffrey Smith, Organic Manifesto by Marie Rodale, Genetically Altered Foods and Your Health, by Ken Roseboro, GMO Myths and Truths, by Michael Antonio, Claire Robinson, and John Fagan.

Websites: www.responsibletechnology.org, www.centerforfoodsafety,

 www.Mercola.com, www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/, www.NOFA.org,  www.nongmoproject.org, www.organicconsumers.org, www.biointegrity.org.,www.gmofreeusa.com

 www.gmofreeplanet.com, www.discerningdietitian.com,

State initiatives and Facebook Pages:  GMO Free USA, GMO Free CT(and other states,) 

Movies:  Genetic Roulette, Seeds of Deception, GMO OMG, Deconstructing Supper, Food Inc., The World According to Monsanto, Seeds of Death, Seeds of Destruction

                     

GMO FREE CT Links, information, and recipes:

 
www.GMOFREECT.ORG



Current GMO CROPS in the USA

(GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organisms or, GOD MOVE OVER)

CORN - Approximately 80- 90 % of crops grown in US are GMO.  Approximately 75% of the processed foods sold in the US contain at least one ingredient sourced from corn, including High Fructose Corn Syrup, corn meal, maltodextrine, and modified food starch.

SOY -Approximately 75-85% of the crops grown in the US are GMO. Many processed foods contain at least one ingredient sourced from soy. This includes tofu, edamame, soy lecithin, soy protein isolate, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, MSG, soy sauce, and tamari.

CANOLA- Mostly grown in “Can”ada, this product is produced from rapeseeds.  Canola oil is highly processed oil which must be winterized, deodorized and bleached before it is edible.  During this process trans fat is formed, which is not heart healthy. Most canola oil has been genetically modified to resist Round Up application.  Contrary to popular belief, this is NOT a healthy oil to choose.

COTTONSEED - Used to make oil that is put into our food… This crop is very heavily pesticided and genetically modified.  Found in processed foods, including the manmade lard (trans fat) often called for in piecrust recipes.

SUGARBEETS – Cane sugar is NOT genetically modified…yet.  But “sugar” on a label is usually 50%  sugarbeets.  Don’t buy products containing sugar unless it is specified 100% cane sugar, 100% cane juice, or organic sugar.  This is the most misleading GM ingredient, because it is legal to put “sugar” on the label.

ZUCCHINI,  CROOK NECK SQUASH , and HAWAIIAN PAPAYA – Always buy organic to be sure.

ALFALFA – used to feed organic animals that we eat.  Approved by the USDA for genetic modification in the last year, despite serious concerns raised by the scientific community.

Look for USDA ORGANIC or Non-GMO Project Verified to avoid GMOS.      Beth Beisel, R.D. LLC

www.responsibletechnology.org  Can download a shopping guide that lists all ingredients in processed foods that are derived from GMOs and therefore contain GMOs.

1)  The Union of Concerned Scientists is a leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world. UCS combines independent scientific research and citizen action to develop innovative, practical solutions and to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices.

What began as collaboration between students and faculty members at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1969 is now an alliance of more than 400,000 citizens and scientists. UCS members are people from all walks of life: parents and business people, biologists and physicists, teachers and students.  Here is a link to what UCS Scientists have to say about GMOs:

                           

http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/

                             

http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/our-failing-food-system/genetic-engineering/monsanto-fails-at-improving.html

2)  GMO Myths and Truths, written by three biotech scientists with many years of experience in the field of genetic engineering.  This document addresses a large number of myths about GMOs and the scientific facts to refute those myths. 

http://earthopensource.org/files/pdfs/GMO_Myths_and_Truths/GMO_Myths_and_Truths_1.3.pdf

3)  Seralini study, which is the first long term study to ever be conducted on GM foods. Despite its controversy, many scientists contend that it must be taken seriously.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691512005637

4)   Here is a letter written by 60 scientists who speak out against the smear campaigns and even threats of violence against researchers who have found GMO risks.  After all of the signatures, please read the footnotes. This is the most interesting part of this letter, since it describes the ramifications scientists face if they try to study or publish negative information on GMOs.

http://www.carighttoknow.org/seralini_and_science_an_open_letter