The Health Risks of Genetically Modified Organisms

The Health Risks of Genetically Modified Organisms

by Ann Harrison

Many people use genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which are a wide variety of plants, animals, or bacteria engineered for use in scientific research or agricultural production. The types of health hazards posed by genetically modified organisms depend on the type of organisms, and for what application they are being used. Only FDA-approved genetically modified foods are safe for human consumption. Now that we are familiar with the term GMO, let’s talk about the risks these organisms pose to our health and well-being.

Image @ Wiki Media
Image @ Wiki Media

Allergies

The Institute for Responsible Technology notes that the rise of food allergies in the United States coincides with the big shift in American food products beginning in the mid ‘90s. Some of the common foods consumed on a daily basis include corn, soy, cottonseed, and canola. The GM varieties of these have been thought to cause serious, even life-threatening allergies. But no definitive tests have been done to confirm or disprove such a connection to GMOs.

Toxicity

There has been reported scientific evidence of GM soy casting a toxic effect on kidneys, liver, and reproduction. Experiments done on rats showed that not only did their liver and kidney got affected by GMO toxicity but their DNA also showed greater fragmentation.

Now we know that most plants have some level of toxic substance, however, most of the plants we consume on a daily basis produce toxins at levels that are too low to have any adverse effects on our overall health. That forms just part of the argument in defense of GMOs as analysis of anti-GMO activism has shown that the concerns may not be so well-reasoned.

It would need more testing and confirmations to have a consensus on GMO toxicity.

Nutrition

Looking at some published material you’ll learn that a genetically modified plant could have significantly lower nutritional value than its naturally grown counterpart. The reason cited for this is that the plant that has been inserted with a new gene could make nutrients unavailable or indigestible for humans. For example high levels of Phytate in GMO grains are thought to decrease the nutritional value of these foods.

On the whole, it is safer to conclude that natural organic foods used by humans for thousands of years are the best and safest choice in food.

About the Author

Ann Harrison is a totally blind author, who grew up in the small town of Rochelle, Georgia, and has moved back to her family home after living in North Georgia for several years. Ann has written many articles of general interest for a number of clients since June of 2010, including the Cordele Dispatch. She has also published a short story entitled “The Big Climb” in Awethology Light. Ann also published a story entitled “The Woods” in December Awethology Light Volume by The #Awethors. She is currently working on several novels, and a self-help book. To read more of Ms. Harrison’s inspirational writings, visit her blog at www.wwannwrites.wordpress.com.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.