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False claim

I would like to point out that the statement “scientific studies have found no evidence that GMOs are more harmful than foods without genetic modifications” cited in the GMO article that ran in Jan 28th’s edition is false. If GMOs were harmless, there wouldn’t be 26 countries with bans on GMO products, including most of Europe, parts of Asia, and Australia. Even more countries have adopted strict restrictions and labeling. Why? Because research has indicated there are dangerous consequences to both growing and consuming GMOs.

The Institute for Responsible Technology’s website is an excellent resource for accessing a number of scientific studies demonstrating definitive liver and kidney damage, reproductive problems and carcinogenic issues from GMOs in rats, mice and rabbits as well as in farm animals consuming GMO grain and produce. Numerous problems have been documented in human populations around the world related to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide (glyphosate), which is spliced into several GMO crops to make them more resistant to pests. Cancer and obesity rates are soaring, and scientists are just beginning to unravel the connection between the rampant increases and the quiet introduction of GMOs into our food supply in the late 1990s.

Many of the “scientific studies” reporting GMOs as harmless are directly or indirectly funded by the GMO industry giants, which, according to the scientific community, renders the data biased and therefore to be discarded.

There is more than enough research available to cause concern, especially in regard to the long-term ramifications of GMO food in our ecosystem.

The excuse of “added costs” as a reason to oppose labeling is a straw man – these companies have spent millions of dollars to fight legislation proposing labeling, sums far greater than the cost of introducing labeling. It was not that long ago foods were required to list allergen ingredients and not a word was uttered regarding the added costs of allergen labeling. Furthermore, many countries do require GMO labeling, and thus, companies already label GMO products for export.

Consumers deserve to be able to make informed choices. This industry’s refusal at every turn to provide that information should tell us something. If their products really are safe, then they have no need to keep it a secret when a product contains GMO ingredients. Whether a consumer ultimately decides to partake or abstain from GMO products, we all deserve to know what we are eating.

Susan Warren

Morris

Submitted by Virtual Newsroom

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