The Damage GM Foods Can do to Your Body

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http://www.mercola.com/2005/dec/8/the_damage_gm_foods_can_do_to_your_body.htm

 

 

The Damage GM Foods Can do to Your Body

 

 

A project to develop genetically modified, pest-resistant peas has

been abandoned after tests showed the peas cause lung damage in mice.

 

Protein Kills Pea Weevils

 

Field peas are susceptible to pea weevils, which lay their eggs on pea

pods. The gene for a protein capable of killing pea weevil pests was

transferred from the common bean to the peas. This protein does not

normally cause allergic reactions in mice or people.

 

Structural Changes

 

But when the protein is expressed in the pea, its structure becomes

subtly different from the original. Researchers say that this

indicates a potential for unpredicted and unintended effects due to

such structural changes. In this case, it was probably caused by

differences in the ways that the two plants produce proteins.

 

Lung Damage

 

Trials showed that the GM peas were almost completely resistant to pea

weevils. But mice injected with the protein showed a hypersensitive

skin response, and those exposed to it in airborne form developed

airway inflammation and lung damage. The effect was the same whether

the protein was taken from raw peas or cooked peas.

 

In the early 1990s, a similar situation happened when researchers

engineered a new strain of soy bean by adding a gene taken from brazil

nuts. But that project ended when it was discovered that the hybrid

was likely to trigger a major attack in people with brazil nut allergies.

 

New Scientist November 21, 2005

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

For a long while, I've been warning you about the blight of

genetically modified (GM) crops on our world's food supply, always

concerned about their effect on your bodies and health. Now, we have

another clue about their potential dangers.

 

Luckily, this study -- a rare glimpse into Frankenstein-like crop

combinations gone bad -- was conducted by a national research

organization. Had a private company like Monsanto been involved in

this study, you would most likey have never heard a thing about it.

 

Chances are very good you've eaten GM foods: At least seven out of 10

items at your neighborhood grocery store contain them. That said,

there's some steps you can take that will help you steer clear of them:

 

* Reduce or Eliminate Processed Foods. Some 75 percent of

processed foods contain GM ingredients. There are many reasons why

processed foods are not optimal for your health -- for instance they

often contain trans fat, acrylamide and little nutritional value -- so

avoiding them will not only help you to cut back on the amount of GM

foods you are consuming, but will also boost your health.

* Read produce and food labels. GM soybeans and corn make up the

largest portion of genetically modified crops. When looking at a

product label, if any ingredients such as corn flour and meal,

dextrin, starch, soy sauce, margarine, and tofu (to name a few) are

listed, there's a good chance it has come from GM corn or soy, unless

it's listed as organic.

* Buy organic produce. Buying organic is currently the best way to

ensure that your food has not been genetically modified. By

definition, food that is certified organic must be free from all GM

organisms, produced without artificial pesticides and fertilizers and

from an animal reared without the routine use of antibiotics, growth

promoters or other drugs.

* Look at Produce Stickers. Those little stickers on fruit and

vegetables contain different PLU codes depending on whether the fruit

was conventionally grown, organically grown or genetically modified.

The PLU code for conventionally grown fruit consists of four numbers,

organically grown fruit has five numbers prefaced by the number nine,

and GM fruit has five numbers prefaced by the number eight.

 

Finally, if you feel you can't afford to buy organic foods, please

read Colleen Huber's excellent piece on how you can do so on your

current budget.

http://www.mercola.com/2005/feb/16/organic_food.htm

 

 

Related Articles:

 

Genetically Modified (GM) Foods Prepare a Takeover

 

Prominent Scientists Form Group to Counter GM Food

 

GM Foods Recalled in Japan