Well known in Europe, the subject of genetically modified organisms is virtually unknown in the United States. That's because the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) has put its seal of approval on it.

When man attempts to change or improve or make larger anything in nature, he is approaching the forbidden zone of God's domain. He is in effect playing God. Remember the story of Frankenstein? Doctor Frankenstein went beyond the ethical boundaries of medical science in attempting to bring life from dead human carcasses.

The result was something the doctor could not have predicted. Consequently he was destroyed by his own creation. The same is true with genetically modified organisms. Science is playing in uncharted waters and we the consumers are going to pay the price.

Tampering in areas which are forbidden to man reminds me of Proverbs 11:29a. "He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind...." These are prophetic words because we are now inheriting the wind.

We are seeing the physical manifestations of genetically modified organisms. "...If you recently ate soya sauce in a Chinese restaurant, munched popcorn in a movie theatre, or induged in an occasional candy bar--you've undoubtedly ingested this new type of food. You may have, at the time, known exactly how much salt, fat, and carbohydrates were in each of these foods because regulations mandate their labeling for dietary purposes. But you would not know if the bulk of these foods, and literally every cell had been genetically altered!" (Nathan Batalion, 50 Harmful Effects of Genetically Modified Foods)

Unfortunately the FDA is not on the side of consumers when it comes to genetically modified organisms. Internal documents from the FDA which are open to public scrutiny due to a lawsuit prove this. Scientists who work at the FDA warned their superiors that genetically modified foods might bring about toxins, allergies, nutritional problems, and new diseases that might be difficult to identify.

FDA scientists also strongly suggested that long-term safety tests be made before giving genetically modified organisms the green light. But the FDA political appointee in charge of policy, a former outside attorney for Monsanto and later their vice president, ignored the scientists� warnings.

The FDA does not require any safety testing at all. Genetically modified organisms have been given GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status. Not only doesn't the FDA require safety testing, food manufacturers don't even have to label that their products contain GMOs.

When animals are given the choice whether to eat GM foods or not, they all refuse to eat. Even laboratory rats refused to eat this food. They had to be forced fed.

There are only a few animal studies on GMOs. These studies prove that GMOs are potentially dangerous to humans. Laboratory rats who were given a GM potato to eat developed potentially pre-cancerous cell growth, damaged immune systems, smaller brains, livers, and testicles, and partial atrophy of the liver.

Pigs fed GM corn on several farms in the Midwest developed false pregnancies. Twelve cows fed GM corn mysteriously died in Germany. And eyewitness reports from all over North America describe how several types of animals, including cows, pigs, geese, elk, deer, squirrels, and rats, when given a choice, avoid eating GM foods.

One epidemic in the 1980�s provides an unnerving example of the dangers of genetically modified organisms. A new disease was caused by a brand of the food supplement L-tryptophan, which had been created through genetic modification and contained tiny traces of contaminants. The disease killed about 100 Americans and caused sickness or disability in about 5-10,000 others.

The only reason that doctors were able to identify that an epidemic was occurring, was because the disease had three simultaneous characteristics: it was rare, acute, and fast acting. Even then it was nearly missed entirely. Once discovered, however, industry and government covered up facts and diverted the blame in an apparent attempt to protect the biotech industry. Even the FDA testimony before Congress withheld vital information.

Currently commercialized GM crops in the United States include soy (85%), cotton (76%), canola (75%), corn (40%), Hawaiian papaya (more than 50%), zucchini and yellow squash (small amount), and tobacco (Quest� brand).

Other sources of GMOs include: dairy products from cows injected with rbGH; food additives, enzymes, flavorings, and processing agents, including the sweetener aspartame (NutraSweet�) and rennet used to make hard cheeses; meat, eggs, and dairy products from animals that have eaten GM feed; and honey and bee pollen that may have GM sources of pollen.

Be a cautious and health-conscious shopper. Check all food product ingredient lists. Beware the following are in all probability genetically modified. Remember, the FDA DOES NOT require genetically modified ingredients be labelled as such:

Corn: corn oil, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, corn starch, corn meal

Cotton: cottonseed oil

work, contains all you need to know about genetically modified food. It contains a printable and comprehensive list of all categories of groceries found in your typical supermarket which contain GM ingredients and those which are free of them.

Diseases and medical issues which can be caused by genetic engineering are unpredictable. Genetically modified organisms are the modern-day Frankenstein re-born. Money and politics is driving this issue at the FDA and in the Bush administration.

There are steps that you can and should take to protect yourself and your family.

Buy organic. Genetically modified organisms are not allowed in organic produce, grain, and meat.

Avoid packaged foods. Food manufacturers are only concerned with their profit margin. Eat whole grains, nuts, fruits, and vegetables as much as possible (preferably all the time.)

Buy local. Shop at local farmer's markets or CSAs.
Download your free non-GMO pocket guide for viewing on your computer (PDF)