The Very Real Danger of Genetically Engineered Foods

Researchers have found microRNA -- small pieces of ribonucleic acid -- in the blood and organs of humans who eat rice. The microRNA can bind to proteins in human liver cells and influence the uptake of cholesterol from your blood.  MicroRNA was discovered 10 years ago, but this research is the first to show that it can survive digestion and influence human cell function.

Monsanto's website states, "There is no need for, or value in testing the safety of GM foods in humans."  But the news that ingested microRNA can affect human physiology should force the biotech industry to confront the possibility that new DNA in food can have dangerous implications.

According to The Atlantic:

“Can we count on the biotech industry to accept the notion that more testing is necessary? Not if such action is perceived as a threat to the bottom line.”

In addition, genetically engineered crops have vastly increased the use of the herbicide glyphosate, as the so-called "Roundup Ready" soybean, cotton and corn crops allow farmers to spray Roundup directly onto their fields without killing the crops. Ordinarily, if you were to spray Roundup, or any other glyphosate-based herbicide, onto a plant, it would rapidly die. GM crops that are resistant to Roundup are the most widely sold GM varieties. So if you eat GM foods, there is a very good chance those foods contain Roundup residues -- and possibly hefty amounts of them. So what can you do? In your own home, you can:

• Avoid using glyphosate-containing weed killers on your lawn and garden
• Buy organic foods to avoid both genetically modified crops and agricultural chemicals like glyphosate

If you still want to purchase some processed foods, make sure you avoid those that may contain GM ingredients. This would be any food product containing any of the following ingredients, or any derivative thereof, unless labeled USDA 100% Organic: