Genetically Modified Food Health Risks
There is a lot of debate about genetically modified food and the associated health risks.
I myself have long been against genetically modified food, and believe that it should be labeled. If big farms want to grow GMO crops, that’s their right, but it should also be our right to choose whether or not we want to eat GMO foods. In order to make that choice, we need GMO food labeling.
Companies such as Monsanto try to convince people that GMO labeling will be a costly hassle for farmers, but the truth is it wouldn’t be. The only ones who stand to lose something from the labeling of GMO foods are the companies that make them, such as Monsanto. They fear that given the choice, people would choose not to eat genetically modified foods. They might be right. Here are a few examples of the health risks GMO foods can pose, and they demonstrate why GMO food labeling is so important.
Genetically Modified Food Encourages “Superbugs”
Antibiotics are often used in the creation process for genetically modified foods. As such anyone eating these foods is constantly exposed to the antibiotics that were used. Over use of antibiotics is already responsible for antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria in hospitals, often called “superbugs.” It’s feared that the frequent exposure to antibiotic-infused GMO foods could lead to more antibiotic resistance of the superbugs.
Genetically Modified Food Can Kill People With Food Allergies
One of the most important reasons we need genetically modified food labels has to do with food allergies. Because different types of food genes are spliced together, people with food allergies may be unknowingly consuming food that will trigger their deadly allergies. If a company inserts a nut gene into an apple and the food isn’t labeled as having nut genes, a person allergic to nuts would have no way of knowing that the apples they just purchased will trigger their nut allergy. This is why food labels on genetically modified foods are so important. Not only is it our right to know what is in our food, but also in the cases of food allergy victims, it can be deadly not to know.
(This is also speculated to be one of the reasons that Monsanto fights so hard against GMO labeling. If GMO foods aren’t labeled and someone dies due to an allergy, Monsanto wouldn’t be held accountable because the food couldn’t be traced back to them.)
Genetically Modified Foods Result in More Pesticide Consumption
If you’re consuming genetically modified foods, odds are you’re consuming a lot of pesticides. The initial reason for many genetically modified food crops was to make them “Round-up ready,” meaning they were resistant to pesticide use. This allowed farmers to spray pesticides without killing their crops. However, it also began leading to pesticide resistant strains of “super weeds,” which has actually begun leading to MORE pesticide use than before the crops were genetically modified. Being Round-up ready, those crops are being sprayed with extra doses of pesticides just like the weeds. If you’re eating that food, you’re ingesting those pesticides.
Click here to ask your state legislators to support the labeling of genetically modified foods and give consumers the ability to choose whether or not they want to eat genetically modified food.
Disclaimer:
The information provided on this website is merely opinion. I am not a medical doctor or a scientist and this information should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your own doctor for medical advice. The information on this website is intended for informational purposes only. The information on this website should not be used for treatment or medical diagnosis. Always seek professional medical advice from your doctor before beginning any new practices.
Copyright © Amber Reifsteck ~ The Woodland Elf
The information provided on this website is for general information purposes only. If you choose to rely on the information on this website, you do so at your own risk and you assume responsibility for the results. (Full disclaimer here)
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