What is GMO?

GMO stands for genetically modified organism.  These are plants or animals that are created through gene splicing, aka genetic engineering.  This merges DNA from different species together.  A donor species organism may be a bacterium, fungus, or another plant.  

For example, Bt-corn contains protein from the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis.  Why?  The Bt protein is expressed throughout the plant as it grows.  When a vulnerable insect eats the Bt-plant the protein is activated in the gut of the insect paralyzing the insect's digestive system, ultimately starving the insect and causing its death.  The idea is that corn growers would use less insecticides if the plant can defend itself from the insect on its own.  However, since the implement of Bt-corn in 1996 US Farmers have sprayed an extra 383 million pounds of herbicide on GMO crops.  Overuse of herbicides has resulted in 'superweeds' that are resistant to the herbicide. This causes farmers to have to use more and more toxic herbicides each year.

There is a huge 'unknown' when introducing GMO into our food supply.  Are they safe to eat? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not have the authority to regulate GMO foods. This means that food is entering our supermarket shelves and its safety has not been tested.

To complicate it all more, there is no required labeling for foods containing GMOs.  Organic foods are the only ones guaranteed to be GMO-free.

So which foods in our food system contain GMOs?

• Alfalfa (since 2011)
• Canola (90% of US crop)
• Corn (88% of US crop in 2011)
• Cotton (90% US crop in 2011)
• Papaya (most of Hawaiian crop)
• Soy (94% of US crop in 2011)
• Sugar Beets (90% US crop in 2010)- common source for white sugar
• zucchini and yellow summer squash

As a mother with two food allergy children, the idea of introducing foreign proteins into the food system does not make sense.  How do I know if my daughter is allergic to soy or really the reaction is to the protein in Bt soy.  This is not something that I have challenged and I do not even plan to.  However, it is something that I have thought about.


Another interesting aspect is that since the introduction of GMOs into our food supply there has been in increase in asthma, autism, and food allergies.  These two have not been linked directly, however, there are animal studies with interesting results.  For a great read about the history of GMOs and the connection to food allergies read the book  The Unhealthy Truth by Robyn O'Brien.