Negative Effects of GMOs to the human body

GMOs, also known as Genetically Modified Organisms, are laboratory results of organisms

where genes from one organism is transferred to another to have characteristics that are non natural.

They are created with hopes of countering the rising issue of overpopulation and the lack of food to

constantly supply in an indefinite amount of time. As such the non natural organisms and crops can be

used in order to gain much more food production in the future whilst also providing more nutrients

needed from the body.

While this may seem like a great way to solve issues, there are a number problems that may also

give unforeseen consequences.

One example is cross pollination. GMO grown seeds, like any other seeds, travel well beyond

fields where they are grown. Cross-pollination then creates herbicide-resistant weeds that may threaten

other crops and wild plants. This tampering with crops’ genetic makeup impacts down the food chain as

scientists say GMO’s have decimated butterfly populations, or led to birth defects among other animals.

By the time we find out the long-term impact, it could be too late.

Another example would be their unintended potential for harm, not only to humans who eat

the products but also to other organisms that may consume the crops. Some genetically modified foods,

for example, contain genes that increase resistance to certain antibiotics. If this property were

transferred to a person eating the food, antibiotics might not have the usual effects against infection.

Introducing genetic material from one plant to another may result in the introduction of

allergenic material from one species into another. Because certain proteins cause more allergic

reactions than others, people with severe allergies know what foods to avoid. If genes from those foods
are introduced into others without appropriate labeling to warn those with allergies, allergic reactions

could occur. The introduction of genetic material from Brazil nuts into soybeans was shelved for this

reason.

Going to the point of foods consumed in the Philippines, an example of a GM food widely eaten

is soy, which 2950 Megatons are consumed past 2017. GM soy is known to cause Liver changes and

Allergic Reactions due to foreign DNA that used to develop its effectiveness as a food, and is widely

consumed by Filipinos.

GM Foods are also found to cause Hormone Imbalances and Food Allergies. Pinetribe.com, a

well known website that states about negative effects of GMOs, stated that the rise in infertility, low

birth weight babies and other reproductive ailments in the U.S. population since the mid-1990s may be

linked to the introduction of genetically modified foods. Hormonal imbalances are also caused due to

foreign DNA found in crops, which may also lead to allergic reactions in the body. It is also reported that

more and more doctors are prescribing GM-free diets.

According to a study Entitled “An Reproductive Toxology Study About Maternal And Fetal

Exposure To Pesticides Associated To Genetically Modified Foods” (Arisa & Leblanc, 2010), Cry1Ab

toxin, a natural occurring, soil-borne bacteria, was detected in 93% and 80% of maternal and fetal blood

samples, respectively and in 69% of tested blood samples from non-pregnant women. Trace amounts of

the Cry1Ab toxin were detected in the gastrointestinal contents of livestock fed on GM corn raising

concerns about this toxin in insect-resistant GM crops; (1) that these toxins may not be effectively

eliminated in humans and (2) there may be a high risk of exposure through consumption of

contaminated meat.

This study reveals that toxins are found in the blood of the women who took part of study.

Toxins that are used in creating GM crops. While this may pose no threat in our present, the mere
existence of toxins, although minimal, present in the human body may raise concerns in using non

natural ways to create more quote “Efficient, Healthy Foods”. Aside from this, these toxins cannot be

effectively removed by human beings, so there exists a concern that consuming these types of foods

may lead to a detrimental of not only our health, but the health of our off springs in the long run.

While GMOs may present a way to fight the lack of food due to overpopulation, The global

scientific community continues to express that there is not enough data to show that GMOs are safe for

humans. More testing and understanding is needed. They state that we have all become guinea pigs in a

huge scientific experiment, and this may bring more consequences than benefits.

Other scientists point out that because the effects of eating GMOs are not understood, new

diseases are likely to develop without us knowing exactly why until too much time has passed. An

example of this already occurred in the 1980s when a genetically engineered food supplement called L-

tryptophan killed people and caused illness and disability because it took four years to find the cause.

While the genes inserted into organisms occur naturally in other species, there are concerns

that altering the natural genome may have unknown consequences, and these altering of genes,

whether it is used for the sake of mankind, may result in consequences that we may never expect

coming.
STS OUTLINE – NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF GMOs

The negative effects of gmos are but not limited to:

Seeds travel well beyond fields where they are grown. Cross-pollination creates herbicide-resistant
weeds that threaten other crops and wild plants. Tampering with crops’ genetic makeup impacts down
the food chain: scientists say GMO’s have decimated butterfly populations in the United States, or led to
birth defects among other animals. By the time we find out the long-term impact, it could be too late.

According to an Reproductive Toxology Study about Maternal and fetal exposure to pesticides
associated to genetically modified foods (Arisa & Leblanc, 2010), blood samples from thirty pregnant
women and thirty non-pregnant women. The study also pointed out that the fetus is considered to be
highly susceptible to the adverse affects of xenobiotics (foreign chemical substance found within an
organism that is not naturally produced).

Cry1Ab toxin, a natural occurring, soil-borne bacteria, was detected in 93% and 80% of maternal
and fetal blood samples, respectively and in 69% of tested blood samples from non pregnant women.
trace amounts of the Cry1Ab toxin were detected in the gastrointestinal contents of livestock fed on GM
corn [38–40], raising concerns about this toxin in insect-resistant GM crops; (1) that these toxins may
not be effectively eliminated in humans and (2) there may be a high risk of exposure through
consumption of contaminated meat.

Cry1Ab toxin, also known as Bacillus thuringiensis, is a natural soil borne bacteria that has been
used for insect control since the 1950s. It consists of a spore, which gives it persistence, and a protein
crystal within the spore, which is toxic.

A report from livestrong.com found negative effects of GMOs

Harm to Other Organisms

One of the biggest objections to genetically modified foods is their unintended potential for harm, not
only to humans who eat the products but also to other organisms that may consume the crops. Some
genetically modified foods, for example, contain genes that increase resistance to certain antibiotics. If
this property were transferred to a person eating the food, antibiotics might not have the usual effects
against infection.

Cross Contamination

The cross contamination of nearby plants with pollen from genetically modified crops could transfer
certain genes from one plant type to another, biologist Deborah Whitman reports on the ProQuest
website. Separation of growing fields and creating male sterile plants that don’t produce pollen can
prevent cross contamination between similar species growing in nearby fields. This has already
happened in the U.S. when a type of maize approved for feed use appeared in maize grown for human
use, the World Health Organization states.

Increased Resistance to Pesticides

Increased resistance has occurred in mosquitoes that developed resistance to the pesticide DDT. Insects
could also develop resistance to the pesticides produced by genetically modified plants, making it more
difficult to control infestation and insect damage rather than less difficult over time.
Allergenic Effects

Introducing genetic material from one plant to another may result in the introduction of allergenic
material from one species into another. Because certain proteins cause more allergic reactions than
others, people with severe allergies know what foods to avoid. If genes from those foods are introduced
into others without appropriate labeling to warn those with allergies, allergic reactions could occur. The
introduction of genetic material from Brazil nuts into soybeans was shelved for this reason, Whitman
states.

Keeping People Informed

As many as 60 to 70 percent of all foods sold in U.S. supermarkets may contain some genetically
modified foods, according to Keith and Renee Schneider, assistant professors in the Food Science and
Human Nutrition Department of the University of Florida. Soybeans and corn, common ingredients in a
number of processed foods, are the most common genetically modified crops in the U.S. But because
the Food and Drug Administration considers genetically modified foods to be equivalent to naturally
produced foods, these foods are not labeled in any way.

Pinetribe.com states three major negative impacts of GMO use:

1. Hormone Imbalance

Girls starting their menstruation at a very young age or boys growing facial hair early on are all signs of
hormones that are out of whack. As we get older, mood swings, weight gain (despite being active),
abnormal sex drive, and menopause are all signs of a hormone’s improper hormone function. For
women, the products used to treat GMO crops may have a strong negative effect on your ability to
reproduce or have a healthy baby

2. Food Allergies

Soybeans which are genetically engineered are not healthy. Food allergies like lactose, nut and gluten
intolerances have increased since GMO crops

foods that are genetically modified:

93% of soybean fields in the United States are genetically modified and 77% worldwide.

85% of corn in the United States is genetically modified and 26% worldwide, affecting products that
contain canola oil, corn syrup, cornmeal, xanthan gum, and cornstarch.

95% of sugar beet crops grown in the U.S. in 2010 were genetically engineered and 9% worldwide.

93% of cotton is modified, 49% worldwide affecting cottonseed oil.

80% of Hawaiian papaya is genetically altered.

70-90% of processed foods on grocery store shelves contain GM foods.

livestock is fed GM foods, affecting meat, milk, and eggs.

3. The birds and the bees and our disappearing ecosystem

GMO crops require huge amounts of chemicals which are harmful to soil, water, the atmosphere and
the creatures around. Bees have been disappearing and scientists have come together in an attempt to
identify and find a solution to this serious problem.

Scientists have been harassed, fired, and received death threats for publishing information or expressing
opinions such as the following against GMOs.

Scientists speculate that the rise in infertility, low birth weight babies and other reproductive ailments in
the U.S. population since the mid-1990s may be linked to the introduction of genetically modified foods.

The American Academy of Environmental Medicine asked doctors to educate patients about the
dangerous effects of eating GM foods.

Scientists at the FDA warned the White House in the 1990s that potential side effects of GMO foods
would be difficult to detect. Instead of gathering more long-term data, the White House appointed
Monsanto's former attorney to push the U.S. forward with GMOs and biotechnology. FYI: Monsanto
sells approximately 90% of the genetically modified seeds used in the United States. Many of these
seeds are modified to give the crops the ability to withstand heavy doses of the herbicide Roundup, also
a Monsanto product.

Dr. Pushpa M. Bhargave, a biologist known around the world, believes that the increase in diseases and
disorders that are affecting Americans today are due to GMOs. His opinions are based on a review of
600 scientific documents and journals about GMOs.

The global scientific community continues to express that there is not enough data to show that GMOs
are safe for humans. More testing and understanding is needed. They state that we have all become
guinea pigs in a huge scientific experiment.

Other scientists point out that because the effects of eating GMOs are not understood, new diseases are
likely to develop without us knowing exactly why until too much time has passed. An example of this
already occurred in the 1980s when a genetically engineered food supplement called L-tryptophan killed
people and caused illness and disability because it took four years to find the cause.

It is reported that more and more doctors are prescribing GM-free diets.

While the genes inserted into organisms occur naturally in other species, there are concerns that
altering the natural genome may have unknown consequences. For example, modifications may change
the organism’s metabolism or growth rate. There are also concerns that GM foods may expose new
allergens to humans or transfer antibiotic-resistant genes to the bacteria naturally found in our gut.