1. Genetic Modification is new.
Genetically modified organisms is a much more recent method of altering desirable, new, or specific traits to plants and animals. The idea of genetic modification was in 1973 by a Stanford University Medical School student. In 1975, biologist, lawyers, and doctors collaborated to create safe use guidelines for genetically engineered DNA. Finally, in 1980, the first GMO patent happened. It was given to a bacterium that fed on crude oil, which was engineered to assist cleaning up oil spills. However, it wasn't until 1982 that the first genetically modified food entered the supermarkets. This was the "Flavr Savr" tomato, which was genetically modified to ripen slower and give it a longer shelf life at grocery stores.
More information: http://gmoinside.org/gmo-timeline-a-history-genetically-modified-foods/
More information: http://gmoinside.org/gmo-timeline-a-history-genetically-modified-foods/
2. GMOs are just a modern version of selective breeding.
GMOs and selective breeding, though are used to provide similar results, are not the same. They are both used to control and alter plants and animals to exert the most desirable or a specific trait that organism has to offer. Genetic modification is just that-modifying the genes, or DNA, of a plant or animal. Therefore, GMOs are considered to be a much more "scientific" way of altering an organism. It is also noted that genetic modification is a much more recent form of of altering traits. Selective breeding is the nurturing of desired traits to methods such as cross pollination. This method is much less scientific but has been used for a much greater amount of time.
More information: http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/genetic-modification-differ-selective-breeding
More information: http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/genetic-modification-differ-selective-breeding
3. There is solid evidence that GMOs in our food cause cancer.
There is no proof that consuming genetically modified organisms will cause cancer in humans. Studies have been done on rats in which they developed tumors. However, animal testing is never 100% accurate due to the biological differences between rats and humans. Due to evolution, animals and humans have developed differently according to molecular biology and genetics. Both animals and humans metabolize substances, like GMOs, differently. Since there has been no research to prove that GMOs cause cancer in humans, even if they cause tumors in rats, it's difficult to determine what the end result of GMO consumption is.
More information: http://foodmatters.tv/articles-1/gm-corn-linked-to-cancer-tumors
and
http://www.navs.org/science/failure-of-the-animal-model
More information: http://foodmatters.tv/articles-1/gm-corn-linked-to-cancer-tumors
and
http://www.navs.org/science/failure-of-the-animal-model
4. Almost all crops today are genetically modified.
In 2007, genetically modified crops accounted for only nine percent of all grown crops. The four major crops being produced that are genetically modified are: 51 percent of soybean crops, 31 percent of all corn, 13 percent of cotton, and 5 percent of canola crops. In 2011, there were 29 different countries growing genetically modified crops, however, the United States had the highest rates of genetically modified produce. The United States accounted for half of all genetically modified crops in the world as of 2007.
More information: http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5950 (2007 statistics)
and
http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/43/executivesummary/default.asp (2011 statistics)
and
http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/43/executivesummary/default.asp (2011 statistics)
5. Genetic modification is basically factory farming.
Factory farming and GMOs are not the same thing. Factory farming deals with animals, whereas GMOs mainly deal with plant-based products. Animals that are in factory farms are pumped with growth hormones to increase their body size to ultimately produce the amount of meat the United States demands. Genetic modification is exactly how it sounds: modifying the genes of mainly plants to produce a specific outcome.
More information: http://www.farmsanctuary.org/learn/factory-farming/
and
http://beyondfactoryfarming.org/dictionary/genetically-modified-organism-gmo
More information: http://www.farmsanctuary.org/learn/factory-farming/
and
http://beyondfactoryfarming.org/dictionary/genetically-modified-organism-gmo
6. GMOs are only found in food.
The main sources of GMOs are found in foods. The most common foods being soy, canola, corn, sugar beets, Hawaiian papaya, alfalfa, zucchini, and yellow squash. However, another main source of GMOs is cotton, found in the clothes you wear. There is also a possibility that beauty products are now being made with ingredients that are genetically modified.
More information: http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/gmos-and-your-family/
and
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/about-our-products/product-faq/gmos
More information: http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/gmos-and-your-family/
and
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/about-our-products/product-faq/gmos
7. GMOs cause health effects.
There is no proven research that GMOs cause any health effects to humans besides allergies. However, lab results prove that GMOs can cause infertility in pigs and cows, precancerous tumors in rats, liver and pancreatic issues in mice, changed cell metabolism in rabbits, unexplained testicular cell changes in mice, intestinal damage in mice, and, in some cases, animal death.
More information: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_11361.cfm
and
http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-dangers/65-health-risks/1notes
More information: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_11361.cfm
and
http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-dangers/65-health-risks/1notes
8. GMOs are harmful to the environment.
Yes and no. There are both environmental benefits and environmental concerns about genetically modified crops. The greatest benefit of GM crops is there has become a major decrease in pesticide use because they are genetically modifying crops to produce their own pesticides. Another benefit is herbicide resistant crops have aided in the expansion of no-till crops, which saves over 1 billion tons of soil per year. There are some genetically modified crops that have had no impact on the diversity and population of insects. However, there is evidence that certain genetically modified crops could have made for less diversity and abundance in insect population, mainly found in Monarch butterflies. One of the major risks of genetically modified crops is the potential to create new weeds that will withstand herbicides and are protected from insects through plant-producing pesticides.
More information: http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/pocketk/4/
More information: http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/pocketk/4/
9. The effects of GMOs affect children more than adults.
In general, children are classified as part of the immunocompromised population. Children are known to have weaker immune systems because they have been less exposed to potential biological hazards. Due to this notion, the effects of ingesting GMOs is greater for children. Also, GMOs are found in the majority of processed "snack" foods your kids enjoy eating. They are more exposed and consume higher doses of GMOs than most adults would. Another concern linked to GMOs is allergies. Children are scientifically more susceptible to allergies in foods. They are also more susceptible to lactose intolerance, or problems with milk. This would be a concern because one of the top genetically modified foods is soy. Finally, when discussing small or unborn children, infants convert food mainly into building organs and tissue, whereas adults store food mainly as fat, which is why is why it is important for a pregnant woman to watch what she eats during pregnancy as well as the stage of breast feeding.
More information: http://naturallysavvy.com/eat/the-dangers-gmos-pose-to-children
and
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/10/07/gm-foods-more-dangerous-for-children-than-adults.aspx and
http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-dangers/higher-risks-for-children
More information: http://naturallysavvy.com/eat/the-dangers-gmos-pose-to-children
and
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/10/07/gm-foods-more-dangerous-for-children-than-adults.aspx and
http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-dangers/higher-risks-for-children
10. GMOs cause birth defects.
Currently, there is no proven research that shows any birth defects are caused in humans due to GMOs. However, there have been several links to GMOs and birth defects and deformities in animals. Children, especially unborn children, rely completely on their mother for nutrients. These nutrients are used to build organs and tissues. Many other chemicals and toxins have been known to be passed on from pregnant women to their children during childbearing, though. If there is evidence someday to support this myth, there is already scientific evidence to explain why this would be, making it an easy fix for the future.
More information: http://www.nationofchange.org/gmo-soy-repeatedly-linked-sterility-infant-mortality-birth-defects-1358006915
and
http://gmoinside.org/monsanto-pesticides-causing-cancer-birth-defects-argentina/
and
http://intellihub.com/farmer-reports-gmos-causing-deformities-birth-defects-in-piglets/
More information: http://www.nationofchange.org/gmo-soy-repeatedly-linked-sterility-infant-mortality-birth-defects-1358006915
and
http://gmoinside.org/monsanto-pesticides-causing-cancer-birth-defects-argentina/
and
http://intellihub.com/farmer-reports-gmos-causing-deformities-birth-defects-in-piglets/
*For more information surrounding GMO misconceptions and facts, please view my full research paper, or any of the above links.
By: Sarah Bishop
Last updated: May 16, 2014
Last updated: May 16, 2014
Images provided by: http://consciouslifenews.com/gmo-crops-really-higher-yields/
and
http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/43/executivesummary/default.asp
and
http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/43/executivesummary/default.asp