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gredients. In addition, food processors were seeking more non-GMO soy MAKING A CHOICE FOR OURSELVES
and corn, and farmers were already enjoying recent increases in non-GMO AND OUR FUTURE
premiums per bushel. The current situation is dangerous. GMOs
If food company execs had any doubts about the trend, within three are likely promoting the rise of numerous
weeks they were likely extinguished. GMO labeling bills passed in Con- diseases in humans and animals, and creating
necticut and Maine; the national chain of Target stores announced that widespread chemical and genetic pollution in the
their home brand will be fully non-GMO by 2014; the national restaurant environment. Those who call for more science
chain Chipotle committed to label (then soon remove) all GMOs and two are ironically labeled by the biotech industry as
more studies highlighted GMO dangers (damaged blood cells in mice, “anti-science.” And the scientists who do dis-
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inflamed and ulcerated stomachs and enlarged uteruses in pigs ). In addi- cover safety problems or even express concerns
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tion, genetically engineered Roundup Ready wheat—which had not been are typically attacked and dismissed.
approved for use in any country in the world—was discovered growing in If reviewers were to reevaluate the technol-
an Oregon farmer's field. Japan and South Korea temporarily suspended ogy in an independent manner, free from the
U.S. imports of wheat, and the food industry was once again reminded of manufactured bias of the biotech industry, they
the uncontrollable risk of GMO contamination thrust upon them by the would be compelled to withdraw GMOs from
biotech industry. our food supply and prevent releases in our en-
The next stage of the tipping point will come shortly, when a popular vironment. But the U.S. government ignores the
mainstream product, not sold in natural food stores, announces that it is mounting evidence of health problems linked to
Non-GMO Project verified. The “Battle for Market Share” between that GMOs, the accelerating rejection of these foods
product and the GMO-laden brand leaders on the shelves in Walmart and by U.S. consumers, and the failure of GMOs to
Safeway will be watched by the entire food industry. If the market share live up to their promises. The Obama administra-
shifts towards the non-GMO product, then every other brand category will tion, like those before him, has not backed down
be inspired to quickly eliminate GMOs and declare it. Otherwise their from their unconditional support of the biotech
competitor might beat them to it and grab market share as well. industry. In fact, a recent Wikileaks analysis by
THE EVIDENCE MOUNTS: SOME STUDIES SHOWING GMO DANGERS
• Scientists at the Russian Academy of Sciences reported between 2005 and 2006 that female rats fed Roundup
Ready-tolerant GM soy produced excessive numbers of severely stunted pups with more than half of the litter dying
within three weeks, and the surviving pups completely sterile. 37
• In 2005, scientists at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization in Canberra, Australia
reported that a harmless protein in beans (alpha-amylase inhibitor) transferred to peas caused inflammation in the
lungs of mice and provoked sensitivities to other proteins in the diet. 38
• From 2002 to 2005, scientists at the Universities of Urbino, Perugia and Pavia in Italy published reports indicating
that GM soy affected cells in the pancreas, liver and testes of young mice. 39
• In 2004, Monsanto’s secret research dossier showed that rats fed MON863 GM corn developed serious kidney and
blood abnormalities. 40
• In 1998, Dr. Arpad Pusztai and colleagues formerly of the Rowett Institute in Scotland reported damage in every
organ system of young rats fed GM potatoes containing snowdrop lectin, including a stomach lining twice as thick
as controls. 41
• Also in 1998, scientists in Egypt found similar effects in the guts of mice fed Bt potato. 42
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration had data dating back to early 1990s showing that rats fed GM tomatoes
with antisense gene to delay ripening had developed small holes in their stomachs. 43
• In 2002, Aventis company (later Bayer Cropscience) submitted data to UK regulators showing that chickens fed
glufosinate-tolerant GM corn Chardon LL were twice as likely to die compared with controls. 43
• In 2012, researchers found that female rats fed Roundup Ready-tolerant GM corn developed large tumors and
dysfunction of the pituitary gland; males also developed tumors and exhibited pathologies of the liver and kidney. 43
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