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Why won't America give up on genetically modified foods?
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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There has been much discussion recently about the safety, regulation, and labeling of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. Most people now know that GMOs are not the healthiest choice, but they continue to buy them without knowing or caring about themselves and their families. Other countries around the world are now moving away from genetically modified foods. Why hasn’t America followed suit?
There is no evidence that GMO foods are safe, yet the government continues to allow them to be placed on the market. The regulation of these foods was based solely on the idea of “substantial equivalence.” If genetically modified foods are similar in nutritional value and composition to regular food, then the assumption is that they are equally safe. But these are GMOs, and this kind of thinking could have disastrous consequences for the American people.
There have been several animal studies with genetically modified foods. Most have shown that eating genetically modified foods can cause serious health risks such as infertility, immune disorders, accelerated aging, dysregulation of genes involved in cholesterol synthesis, insulin regulation, cell signaling, and protein formation, as well as changes in the liver, kidneys, spleen, and gastrointestinal tract.
According to the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, there are more than coincidental associations between genetically modified foods and adverse health effects. There is causality according to Hill's criteria in the areas of strength of positive association, consistency, specificity, biological gradient, and biological plausibility. The strength of positive association and consistency between genetically modified foods and disease have been confirmed by several animal studies. These studies show that GMO consumption is directly related to asthma, inflammation, allergies, kidney and liver problems, and intestinal damage.
Currently, more than 70% of the processed packaged foods most Americans consume daily contain genetically modified ingredients. About 91% of soy is genetically modified, as are 85% of corn and 88% of cotton. The number of genetically modified foods is only growing, and without labeling, it is often not indicated which foods are genetically modified and which are not.
With all this information, it is a mystery why the government refuses to label genetically modified foods. There are serious risks associated with consuming these foods. Currently, the only way to safely avoid GMOs is to buy organic foods, which are much more expensive. The best way to keep your families healthy is to petition for GMO labeling and buy organic foods as often as possible.
The future is in our hands, and if nothing is done, the incidence of disease will continue to rise and we will soon see the end of healthy America.