HEALTH RISK OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS

"Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food," including
infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, insulin regulation, and changes in major organs
and the gastrointestinal system.

GMOS ARE INHERENTLY UNSAFE

There are several reasons why GM plants present unique dangers. The first is that the process
of genetic engineering itself creates unpredicted alterations, irrespective of which gene is
transferred. This creates mutations in and around the insertion site and elsewhere [54]. The
biotech industry confidently asserted that gene transfer from GM foods was not possible; the
only human feeding study on GM foods later proved that it does take place. The genetic
material in soybeans that make them herbicide tolerant transferred into the DNA of human gut
bacteria and continued to function [55]. That means that long after we stop eating a GM crop, its
foreign GM proteins may be produced inside our intestines.

GM DIET SHOWS TOXIC REACTIONS IN THE DIGESTIVE TRACT

The very first crop submitted to the FDA’s (Food & Drug Administration) voluntary consultation
process, the FlavrSavr tomato, showed evidence of toxins. Out of 20 female rats fed the GM
tomato, 7 developed stomach lesions [56]. The type of stomach lesions linked to tomatoes could
lead to life-endangering hemorrhage, particularly in the elderly who use aspirin to prevent blood
clots [57]. Dr. Pusztai believes that the digestive tract, which is the first and largest point of
contact with foods, can reveal various reactions to toxins and should be the first target of GM
food risk assessment. Mice fed potatoes engineered to produce the Bt-toxin developed
abnormal and damaged cells, as well as proliferative cell growth in the lower part of their small
intestine (ileum) [58]. Rats fed potatoes engineered to produce a different type of insecticide
(GNA lectin from the snowdrop plant) also showed proliferative cell growth in both stomach and
intestinal walls.

GM DIETS CAUSE LIVER DAMAGE

Rats fed the GNA lectin potatoes had smaller and partially atrophied livers [59] Rats fed
Monsanto’s Mon 863 corn, engineered to produce Bt-toxin, had liver lesions and other
indications of toxicity [60]. Rabbits fed GM soy showed altered enzyme production in their livers
as well as higher metabolic activity [61]. Rats fed Roundup Ready soybeans also showed
structural changes in their liver [44].

GM FEED ANIMALS HAD HIGHER DEATH RATES AND ORGAN DAMAGE

The cells in the pancreas of mice fed Roundup Ready soy had profound changes and produced
significantly less digestive enzymes [62]; in rats fed a GM potato, the pancreas was enlarged
[60]. In various analysis of kidneys, GM fed animals showed lesions, toxicity, altered enzymes
production or inflammation [61-63]. Enzyme production in the hearts of mice was altered by GM
soy, [61] and GM potatoes caused slower growth in the brain of rats [60].
REPRODUCTIVE FAILURE AND INFANT MOTALITY

The testicles of both mice and rats fed roundup ready soybeans showed dramatic changes. In
rats, the organs were dark blue instead of pink. In mice, young sperm cells were altered [64].
Embryos of GM soy-fed mice also showed temporary changes in their DNA function, compared
to those whose parents were fed non-GM soy [65].

GM CROPS TRIGGER IMMUNE REACTIONS AND MAY CAUSE ALLERGIES

Allergic reactions occur when the immune system interprets something as foreign, different and
offensive and reacts accordingly. All GM foods, by definition have something foreign and
different. And several studies show that they provoke reactions. GM potatoes caused the
immune system of rats to responded more slowly [60]. And GM peas provoked an inflammatory
response in mice, suggesting that it might cause deadly allergic reactions in people [66]. In
addition to the herbicide tolerant protein, GM soybeans contain a unique, unexpected protein,
which likely came about from the changes incurred during the genetic engineering process.
Scientists found that this new protein was able to bind with IgE antibodies, suggesting that it
may provoke dangerous allergic reactions. Organic farmers and others have sprayed crops with
solutions containing natural Bt bacteria as a method of insect control. The toxin creates holes in
their stomach and kills them. Genetic engineers take the gene that produces the toxin in
bacteria and insert it into the DNA of crops so that the plant does the work, not the farmer. The
fact that we consume that toxic pesticide in every bite of Bt corn hardly appetizing. Studies
verify, however that natural Bt-toxin is not fully destroyed during digestion and does react with
mammals. The Bt—toxin produced in GM crops is vastly different from the bacterial (Bt-toxins)
used in organic and traditional farming and forestry. The plant produced version is designed to
be more toxic than natural varieties [67]. Just like the GM soy protein, the Bt protein in GM corn
varieties has a section of its amino acid sequence identical to a known allergen (egg yolk), the
protein is too resistant to break down during digestion and heat. If Bt—toxin causes allergies,
then gene transfer carries serious ramifications. If Bt genes relocate to human gut bacteria, our
intestinal flora may be converted into living pesticide factories, possibly producing Bt-toxin inside
of us year after year.

Enviromental Effects

The issue of GMOs is a polarizing one. Those who are pro-GMO claim that GMOs are not only
safe for us and the environment, but also potentially, a very beneficial development. Those who
are anti-GMO argue that the risk of negative consequences to our environment is high and very
difficult to predict.  It is important to determine the magnitude of potential damage to our
environment due to the spread of GMO genes into wild plants and microbes. GM crops can
cause short and long term effects on the environment.

Different kinds of modifications are being bred into crops. The most common kinds of
modification include: pesticide resistance, disease resistance, and drought tolerance. Other,
more superficial, changes can be made to crops we encounter regularly.

Some Potential Consequences to the Environment Include: 

  Unintended selection
 Unwanted change in gene expression
 Unintended effect on non GM weeds, pests, or pathogens
 Survival & persistence beyond intended zone
 Production of toxic substance to 'non-target' organisms
 "Horizontal Gene transfer "

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Scientists have bred pesticide resistance into these crops, which causes controversy when
pesticides, such as Roundup, are over sprayed. By using such quantities of chemicals to control
weeds in the crops, the weeds begin to develop their own resistance to the pesticides thus
creating 'super weeds.' This phenomenon is referred to as gene transfer. Seed dispersal and
pollen transfer caused by wind, animals, and farming equipment, contribute to gene transfer.

There are many studies that examine the potential environmental and ecological risks of GMOs.
L.L. Wofenbarger and P. R. Phifer discuss some of the existing studies and literature regarding
these potential risks. These studies suggest that there is a heightened risk for hybridization
among GMO crops. This undermines any control scientists have over GMO crops and leads to
the evolution of weed species that carry the genetic modification (like pesticide resistance).
When the weeds obtain pesticide resistant DNA from GMO crops, this defeats the purpose of
modifying the crops at all.

While there is some widely accepted evidence for these negative impacts against the
environment and a lack of evidence proving otherwise—there are compelling statistics
concerning potential benefits to the environment.

 A decreased use of pesticides & insecticides

 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions

Evidence has shown that with the introduction of GMO crops, there has been a significant
decrease in the use of pesticides and insecticides. Brookes and Barfoot note a global trend
toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions since GMO use has increased. They explain that
pest-resistance and repellant traits that are bred into the crop's DNA lead to a reduced
necessity for the use of pesticides and insecticides. This global decrease in the amount and
frequency of pesticide use means fewer instances of pesticide spraying reduces the use of fuel
and consequently reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

For such a complicated topic, one thing remains clear: the use of GMOs and the effects they
have (either positive or negative impacts) on the environment must be effectively measured so
that we might isolate trends and be able to find a clearer answer about whether or not GMOs
are hurting or helping our environment.

Impact of gene pollution

For instance, the Bt corn produces wind-borne pollen (able to be spread 1km from farms) that
kills the caterpillars of the Monarch butterfly. When the life cycles of this butterfly are disrupted,
the beautiful Monarch butterflies can only be found in our memory and photographs. Gardening
job will be tougher as the weeds acquire the modified genes to become super competitive
weeds that rampage through the countryside and destroy other life forms in the process. Would
you want your beautiful garden to turn into a mess of green weeds that you can never get rid of?
The risk of the evolution of common plant viruses to become more resistant or form new strains
will be greatly increased. Microbiologists have come up with an important point that if genetic
modification is carried out extensively, new viruses with greater potential to harm mankind may
evolve anytime, and the probability of this occurring can be quite high. A research paper
commissioned by the British government supports this point. It concludes that crops genetically
altered to be resistant to common plant viruses cold risk creating mutant strains that could wipe
out the entire forms. The resurgence of the pests from primary pest outbreak to a more
destructive secondary outbreak may occur. After a pest has been virtually eliminated by any
means, the pest population not only recovers, but also explodes to higher and more severe
levels. This phenomenon is known as resurgence. To make matters worse, small populations of
pests that used to be of no concern due to their significant numbers may suddenly rocket,
creating new problems. This phenomenon is known as secondary pest outbreak. Do you think it
is safer and more logical to sacrifice a small portion of your crops in exchange for the insurance
that you can enjoy the destruction of all your available crops? Abnormalities, mutation, and
extinction of species may become widespread and cause a biological havoc that either takes
ages to return back to equilibrium or enters a stage of no return. Genes produces proteins in the
cells that they are programmed to work in, but when transferred into another system, the
proteins may act differently, thus resulting in the outbreak of allergies and the disasters
mentioned above. This will be a great blow to Gaia, as the harmony that the Earth's closely-
linked ecosystems that have settled down to will vanish, leaving the Earth's inhabitants to
reorganize themselves to build up the balanced structures. And this might take a few centuries,
or even forever

Impact of GM food/crops on human health and the environment

Despite the many benefits that people attribute to the use of genetically modified foods,
negative reaction to these foods in the global scale ranges from mild unease to activist
opposition (Rzymski, 690). The typical concerns raised against genetically modified foods
include the following:

i. Whether or not it is ethical for scientist to genetically modify living organisms and
Plants.
ii. Whether the genetic modification of foods is inherently hazardous.
iii. Whether it is possible to unwittingly tamper with the safety of food crops through
Genetic modification.
iv. Whether GM crops and foods pose any threat to the environment and ecosystem,
by
v. Interfering with biodiversity and eliminating beneficial organisms.
vi. Whether the introduction of genetically modified crops is in full knowledge and
understanding of the consequences.

Of the above concerns that shape the debate about the use of genetically modified foods,
the issue of public safety and the concern about the environment are the common
denominators. By interfering with biodiversity, GM foods will eventually have devastating
implications on the environment.
Biodiversity

It is not very clear as to how the use of genetically modified crops will impact on biodiversity.
However, this is looming controversy surrounding the stability of GM crops. There are
various concerns that ensue from this scientific uncertainty. First, it is anticipated that GM
technology could lead to the contamination of crops in the process of gene transfer. This
can result in genetic pollution and the emergence of super weeds that can eventually impact
adversely on biodiversity (Danone 1). There is substantial evidence that through aspects
such as cross-pollination also, genes could be transferred and mixed with non-GM crops or
even their weed relatives. As argued by Holmberg, an herbicide-tolerant gene in the plant
could be transferred to a weed relative of the plant mutating to a completely resistant super
weed. The chart below illustrates the increase in the rate of super weeds.

The Rise of Superweeds

Weed spceies pften become resistant to herbicides. Glyphosate resistacne, once deemed
unlikely, rose after engineered crops were introduced in the mid - 1990s.

Second, GM crops modified to achieve resistance to pests and diseases can affect non-
target species that are otherwise beneficial. For instance, as claimed by Hall and Moran
(31), BT maize pollen is toxic for the monarch butterfly. The monarch butterfly species lives
only in Mexico, Canada, and the U.S., where precautionary measures are highly employed.
However,

its close relatives in other parts of the world can be eliminated and, for this reason, result in
interference to the biodiversity.

Human health concerns

Strong and often polarized opinions exist around the issues of human health and food
safety following the uncertainty surrounding the potential risks of genetically modified foods.
According to Hall and Moran (33), GM foods are very unsafe, and the existing safety
assessment and measures employed by those in support of them cannot guarantee public
safety. There is various documented health risks associated with GM foods. Among these
risks are the intensifying cases of allergies, antibiotic resistance, and even toxicity (Robinson
and Leonhardt, 14).

Food Allergies

Food allergies pose a public health threat as an approximated 5% of children, and 2% of

the adults in the U.S. are affected by food allergies (FSA). The numbers increase with the
spread of the products to other parts of the world as a result of globalization. These
reactions occur when an otherwise harmless protein enters the human system and triggers
an immune response (Nodoushani, Sintay and Stewart 137). GM foods such as soybeans
are the common sources of these allergic reactions that pose dangers to human health.
 Toxicity

Under normal circumstances, most plants release substances that are poisonous to
humans. However, these toxins are at extremely low levels that cannot harm humans in any
way. Inserting exotic genes into plant systems is the cause of the concern since they can
result in the production of toxic at levels that can be harmful to human health. For instance,
according to Hall and Moran (35), GM potatoes bred to increase resistance to certain
diseases have showed the tendency to produce high levels of a toxic substance called
glycol-alkaloid.

Antibiotic resistance

The increased number of highly resistant bacteria strains can be partly attributed to the
consumption of genetically modified foods. Through the natural process of mutation,
bacteria develop resistance. The antibiotic resistance genes are used by biotechnologists as
selectable markers while inserting exotic genes into plants. There is a growing concern that
bacteria residing in the guts of humans can absorb this resistance and mutate into
uncontrollable new states (Robinson and Leonhardt, 14).

Outcrossing

Outcrossing refers to the risk of genes from certain GMO plants mixing with those of
conventional crops.

There have been reports of low levels of GMO crops approved as animal feed or for industrial
use being found in food meant for human consumption.

Cancer

Some researchers believe that eating GMO foods can contribute to the development of cancer.
They argue that because the disease is caused by mutations in DNA, it is dangerous to
introduce new genes into the body.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) have said that there is no evidence for this. However, they
note that no evidence of harm is not the same as proof of safety and that reaching a conclusion
will require more research.