The Pros And Cons Of Genetically Modified Foods

In a study in the early 1990's rats were fed genetically modified (GM) tomatoes. Well actually, the rats refused to eat them. They were force-fed. Several of the rats developed stomach lesions and seven out of forty died within two weeks. Scientists at the FDA who reviewed the study agreed that it did not prove the GMO are not bad, so pretty much saying they are. In fact, agency scientists warned that GM foods in general might create unpredicted allergies, toxins, antibiotic resistant diseases, and nutritional problems. Americans eat genetically modified foods everyday. Although the GMO tomato has been taken off the market, millions of acres of soy, corn, canola, and cotton have had foreign genes inserted into their DNA. The new genes allow the crops to

Rats fed GM corn had problems with blood cell, kidney and liver formation. Mice fed GM soy had problems with liver cell formation and pancreatic function, and the livers of rats fed GM canola were heavier. Pigs fed GM corn on several Midwest farms developed false pregnancies or sterility. Cows fed GM corn in Germany died mysteriously. And twice the number of chickens died when fed GM corn compared to those fed natural corn. Soon after GMO soy was introduced to the UK, soy allergies went up by almost 50 percent. Without follow-up tests, we can't be sure if genetic engineering was the cause, but there are plenty of ways in which they can boost allergies. The only human feeding study ever conducted showed that the gene inserted into soybeans\ transferred out of food and into the DNA of gut bacteria. This has several serious signs. First, it means that the bacteria inside our intestines, newly equipped with this foreign gene, may create the novel protein inside of us. If it is allergenic or toxic, it may affect us for the long term, even if we give up eating GMO