Of all the presentations at the nutrition conference, I have to say Jeffrey Smith’s lecture on Genetically Modified Foods had the greatest impact on me. I thought I knew what GMOs were all about, but I had no idea the extent of their risk to our health and environment. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been linked to toxic and allergic reactions, thousands of sick, sterile, and dead livestock, and damage to virtually every organ and system studied in lab animals.
Do you remember when the supplement L-tryptophan was taken off the market and we were all afraid that might be the end of all supplements? There were 100 deaths and thousands became sick or disabled. It took years to find the source and guess what . . . . the supplement itself was not the problem. The contaminated products all came from a lab using genetically engineered bacteria, and if all the victims had not experienced one shared symptom of intense debilitating muscle pain (myalgia), the cause might have remained undiscovered. The disease it created was called EMS or eosinophilia myalgia syndrome as it also raised white blood cell count high enough to indicate a severely disrupted immune system. What is really unsettling about all of this is the fact that we have unknowingly been eating genetically modified ingredients since 1996 and there are still no safeguards for GM-produced food or supplements. Since there are no warning labels on any of the genetically modified foods we consume in America, (GMOs are not allowed in Europe) it is imperative that we educate ourselves and “opt out of this high-stakes gamble by refusing GM foods.” I urge you to go to www.ResponsibleTechnology.org and click on Mr. Smith’s video. It is an 85-minute lecture, similiar to the one I heard two weeks ago and I guarantee once you have seen it you will have an entirely new attitude about the food you choose to buy for yourself and your family. I suggest you download his Non-GMO Shopping Guide as you will find very helpful in identifying the safe foods as well as those that are at high risk, e.g. the “Big Four” - Corn, Soy, Canola and Cotton. (Another good reason to avoid vegetable oils!)
Jeffrey Smith has authored several books on Genetic Engineering. His first book, ”Seeds of Deception” was required reading in my nutrition class. His latest book is very appropriately named, “Genetic Roulette, The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods” and he has created a Web site, www.GeneticRoulette.com, to promote serious scientific debate on the details presented in his book.
It was pressure from concerned consumers that got the genetically engineered bovine growth hormone (rbGH) out of our milk. Let’s do our part to get genetically modified organisms (GMOs) out of our food.
Tags: Nutrition, Self-Care Class