GMOs: the silent killer A GMO, or genetically modified organism, is a plant, animal, or being that has been genetically altered in a laboratory. Moreover, a GMO can refer to any animal, crop, or organism that has been genetically engineered or modified. In the food industry, GMOs usually refer to produce and other consumer goods that have been genetically modified. Most Americans are not aware of the prevalence of GMOs in the food industry and the dangers that accompany them. In fact, according to the Non-GMO Project, around 80% of all processed food in the United States contains GMOs (“GMO Facts”). The effects that these GMOs generate are affecting their lives more than they know. As these GMOs are not being monitored, their exact effects
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Most consumers assume that the foods they purchase are safe to eat and are GMO-free, but this is not the case. Joseph Mercola, a renowned doctor who specializes in nutrition, attests that, in the United States an increasing amount of genetically modified foods are being added to the food supply without the knowledge of the Americans consuming them. The effects of these genetic modifications have been revealed to be “flawed” and potentially dangerous to consumers (Mercola). Mercola illustrates the large gray area that exists in the food industry, especially with GMOs and the few restrictions placed on them. As of today, not enough studies have been conducted to identify the definite effects that GMOs have on consumers, though it has been found that cancer and organ damage could result from consuming GMOs. This is even more worrisome, as these side effects could be more widespread than expected. Moreover, although many “biotech” advocates claim that tens of millions of Americans have been eating GMOs for decades without any stand-out health effects, these consumers are not being monitored and as a result, any major health problems that they face as a result of GMOs are difficult to identify (Smith). Genetically modified foods have not been tested or monitored extensively enough to be proclaimed safe to consume. As many of the studies conducted have been done so by the very corporations profiting from genetically modified foods, the claims made by these companies are widely controversial and clearly biased. In fact, documents from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that were recently released, due to a lawsuit, contain clear warnings from researchers warning of the array of side effects that GMOS cause. These researchers also warn that GMOs may cause even more symptoms that have yet to be discovered (Smith, “Genetically
Most consumers assume that the foods they purchase are safe to eat and are GMO-free, but this is not the case. Joseph Mercola, a renowned doctor who specializes in nutrition, attests that, in the United States an increasing amount of genetically modified foods are being added to the food supply without the knowledge of the Americans consuming them. The effects of these genetic modifications have been revealed to be “flawed” and potentially dangerous to consumers (Mercola). Mercola illustrates the large gray area that exists in the food industry, especially with GMOs and the few restrictions placed on them. As of today, not enough studies have been conducted to identify the definite effects that GMOs have on consumers, though it has been found that cancer and organ damage could result from consuming GMOs. This is even more worrisome, as these side effects could be more widespread than expected. Moreover, although many “biotech” advocates claim that tens of millions of Americans have been eating GMOs for decades without any stand-out health effects, these consumers are not being monitored and as a result, any major health problems that they face as a result of GMOs are difficult to identify (Smith). Genetically modified foods have not been tested or monitored extensively enough to be proclaimed safe to consume. As many of the studies conducted have been done so by the very corporations profiting from genetically modified foods, the claims made by these companies are widely controversial and clearly biased. In fact, documents from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that were recently released, due to a lawsuit, contain clear warnings from researchers warning of the array of side effects that GMOS cause. These researchers also warn that GMOs may cause even more symptoms that have yet to be discovered (Smith, “Genetically