GM foods are more dangerous for children than adults

1. Children are generally more susceptible to toxins, allergens and nutritional problems.
   
   
2. They consume more milk which may be from cows treated with rbGH.
   
   
3. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant diseases may also significantly impact those
   children who are prone to recurring infections.
   

Pregnant mothers eating GM foods may endanger offspring

1. Embryo development can be adversely affected by tiny amounts of substances in
   the mother’s diet.
   
   
2. A pregnant mother’s diet may even alter gene expression in children and be passed
   on to future generations.
   
   
3. GM crops may contain substances that impact normal fetal development, but have
   never been adequately tested for these effects.

GM proteins in soy, corn and papaya may be allergens

1. Tests cannot guarantee that a GM protein will not cause allergies.
   
   
2. The WHO and FAO offer criteria that help minimize the likelihood that allergenic GM
   crops are approved.
   
   
3. GM soybeans, corn, and papaya fail those criteria.
   
   
4. The GM proteins from these foods are too similar to known allergens.
   
   
5. This evidence was ignored by regulators, who approved the crops.

Animal genes in normally vegetarian food

No normally vegetarian food on sale in the UK contains copies of animal or fish genes. In addition, after consultation with The Vegetarian Society, the Government has accepted that if this does occur and the DNA of the inserted gene is still present in the final product it will be labeled with a phrase such as “contains copies of pig genes”. The general feeling in the food industry is that no manufacturer would be happy marketing any product so labelled.

How to Avoid Genetically Modified Foods

Become familiar with the most common applications of genetic modification. These are the products (and their derivatives) that are most likely to be genetically modified:

• Soybeans - Gene taken from bacteria (Agrobacterium sp. strain CP4) and inserted into soybeans to make them more resistant to herbicides. See How to Live With a Soy Allergy for more information on avoiding soy products.
• Corn - There are two main varieties of GE corn. One has a Gene from the lepidoptera pathogen microorganism Bacillus thuringiensis inserted to produce the Bt toxin, which poisons insect pests. There are also several events which are resistant to various herbicide. Present in high fructose corn syrup and glucose/fructose which is prevalent in a wide variety of foods in America.
• Rapeseed/Canola - Gene added/transferred to make crop more resistant to herbicide.
• Sugar beets - Gene added/transferred to make crop more resistant to Monsanto's Roundup herbicide.
• Rice - Genetically modified to resist herbicides; not currently available for human consumption, but trace amounts of one GM long-grained variety (LLRICE601) may have entered the food supply in the USA and Europe.More recently, golden rice, a different strain of rice has been engineered to produce significantly higher levels of beta carotene, which the body uses to produce vitamin A. Golden rice is still undergoing testing to determine if it is safe for human consumption.
• Cotton - engineered to produce Bt toxin. The seeds are pressed into cottonseed oil, which is a common ingredient in vegetable oil and margarine.
• Dairy - Cows injected with GE hormone rBGH/rBST; possibly fed GM grains and hay.

Buy food labeled 100% organic.
Recognize fruit and vegetable label numbers.
Purchase beef that is 100% grass-fed.
Seek products that are specifically labeled as non-GM or GMO-free.
Shop locally.
Buy whole foods.

More Illnesses Linked to Bt Crops

Further evidence has emerged on the link between common transgenic proteins and serious allergic reactions while regulators turn a deaf ear and approve yet more planting.

The same transgenic proteins implicated in two different GM crops.

Allergy symptoms in farm workers and other workers handling Bt cotton

Bt bacteria and spores were previously linked to allergic reactions

Allergens trigger 75 percent of asthma cases

Regulators are guilty of gross negligence

Ramadoss seeks 10-year green freeze on GM crops

Chennai: Opposing any commercial release of Bt Brinjal, former Union health minister Anbumani Ramadoss in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has asked the government to put a 10-year moratorium on the environmental release of all GM crops until pending issues were resolved and questions answered.

In the letter dated October 19, Ramadoss has highlighted the reasons for opposing commercial release of Bt brinjal, which he says was created with “the toxic Bt gene”.

Ramadoss said Bt Brinjal could ‘jeopardize the rich diversity of brinjal’ as India is the centre of origin of brinjal.

He said no independent long-term studies have been undertaken and the studies suggested by noted molecular biologist P M Bhargava and a nominee of the Supreme Court in the GEAC, were not done on Bt Brinjal.

He also said that in the absence of proper regulatory process in the country, commercial release of Bt Brinjal could violate consumers' right to safe food and informed choices. Moreover, the decision itself is an infringement of the state government's authority over agriculture.

Anbumani Ramadoss, belongs to the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), which has declared itself to be a green party that promotes organic agriculture and opposes genetically modified crops through its environmental outfit ‘Pasumai Thayagam’ (Green Motherland).

In the letter Ramadoss has pointed out that there are more than 2,500 varieties of brinjal in this country, which could be jeopardized irreversibly with the entry of bt brinjal.

He has said that the regulatory system in India did not require independent research to be taken up before a GM food is allowed and all the research with regard to biodiversity of bt Brinaj was either done or commissioned by the crop developer. “No long-term studies have been undertaken either,” Ramadoss added.

Ramadoss contended that GM was not any solution to the agrarian crisis, instead it would make things worse for farmers and consumers who are entrapped into these unsustainable technologies which are expensive, erode productive resources, leave toxic impacts on man and other life forms and make farming unviable.

The approval would violate consumers' freedom of choices forever. Stating that agriculture and health were state subjects, the former health minister said, government should not be taking any step that violates the Constitutional authority vested with state governments.

Nine Reasons to Say NO to GM Seeds

1. GM seeds have many harmful effects on health.
2. "Internationally about 30 tests are prescribed before a country can allow GM seeds. However, India has done only 6-7 tests.
3. The so called “Expert Committee (EC2)” set up by the GEAC to conduct tests on BT Brinjal has lost its credibility.
4. There is no shortage or immediate threat to Brinjal production in India.
5. Thousands of cattle died in Andhra Pradesh by consuming BT Cotton and caused severe allergies and other illnesses to farm workers . Andra Pradesh government has banned Genetically Modified seeds in the state.
6. India is the center of Origin / Diversity of Brinjal.
7. Most other countries and several states in India have banned GM due to its health hazards.
8. Monopoly of a foreign corporate on the food security of India is dangerous.
9. Damage to the soil and the entire ecosystem.

What is a Genetically Modified Seed?

Typically, genetically modified foods involve a transgenic process. Which means Transgenesis genes from a different species are inserted, which is a form of horizontal gene transfer. These species could be a certain virus or bacteria, which is inserted in the gene structure of the seed, whereby, when a certain pest consumes the seed, the insect will die from the toxins in this seed. Often along with genetic modification, certain hormones are also introduced into the seed to change the color or increase the size of the crop.