Third Eye Views

 I ask this question because with so many foods now containing GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms), I may have to go on a peppermint diet.  With GMO’s actually being put in animal feed, crop seeds being genetically altered, and no labels to warn us, we could be eating foods containing GMO’s and not even know it. 

I personally don’t like anything going into my body, not knowing exactly how it could affect me.  I am by no means a health fanatic; I eat red meat, drink alcohol and I love bread and real butter, but I try to consume it all in moderation because I know too much of any of it, isn’t good for me.  But what about almonds, spinach, apples and other various foods that are supposed to be good for me?  Due to genetically altering seeds, even if I decide to grow my own fruits and vegetables, I need to be careful to not order my seeds from a company who invests in, and/or is for, genetically modified foods.

In various animals that were tested, studies have shown that foods containing GMO’s have caused birth defects as well as severe hormonal changes.  Severe hormonal changes?!  I don’t want to say the wrong thing, but I would hate to go on a “health diet” only to end up with facial hair and a penis.  But the biggest problem is that these foods could literally be the beginning of the end for the human race.  Many studies have shown that foods containing GMO’s have led to infertility and other reproductive problems among other things.For example:

·         A 2009 Brazilian study found that female rats fed GM soy for 15 months showed significant changes in their uterus and reproductive cycle, compared to rats fed organic soy or those raised without soy. The glyphosate in the soybeans is believed to be the cause of the problem as it throws off the delicate hormonal balance that governs the whole reproductive cycle.

·         In a 2009 French study , scientists discovered that glyphosate can kill the cells in the outer layer of the human placenta (the trophoblast membrane), which in turn can kill the placenta. Only 1/500th the amount needed to kill weeds was able to kill the cells. The amount is so small, according to the study authors, the “residual levels to be expected, especially in food and feed derived from [Roundup] formulation-treated crops” could be enough to “cause cell damage and even [cell] death.”

·         A Canadian epidemiological study, which looked at nearly 4,000 pregnancies in 1,898 couples, women exposed to glyphosate during the three months before getting pregnant had a significantly higher risk of miscarriages, especially for those above 34 years of age. Fathers who were exposed to glyphosate before their wives got pregnant showed an increase in early delivery and spontaneous abortions.

·         A study on male rabbits showed that glyphosate can cause a reduction in sexual activity and sperm concentration, and an increase in dead or abnormal sperm.

·         In 2005, Irina Ermakova with the Russian National Academy of Sciences reported that more than half the babies from mother rats fed GM soy died within three weeks. This was also five times higher than the 10 percent death rate of the non-GMO soy group. The babies in the GM group were also smaller and could not reproduce. When Ermakova fed male rats GM soy, their testicles changed from the normal pink to dark blue.

·         Italian scientists similarly found changes in mice testes (PDF), including damaged young sperm cells. Furthermore, the DNA of embryos from parent mice fed GM soy functioned differently.

So now that I have your attention, you may be asking yourself, how do I know if the food I purchase contain GMO’s?  Well you don’t know because right now legislation is trying to pass a bill as to whether or not foods should be labeled as having GMO’s (go figure).  But until then, the best way to try to not consume hormone contaminated food is to purchase food with the 100% USDA Organic label.  Foods that are 100% organic must meet the following criteria via the USDA to be in the “100 percent organic” category: All ingredients must be certified organic. Any processing aids must be organic. Product labels must state the name of the certifying agent on the information panel. May include USDA organic seal and/or 100 percent organic claim. Must identify organic ingredients (e.g., organic dill) or via asterisk or other mark. Now we all know that the organic foods are more expensive, but either you pay now or pay later.  In this case, I’ll pay the money the up front, because I don’t think that ObamaCare covers surgery for penis removal.

To learn more about GMO’s please visit this website.