Since the first genetically modified tomato, the FLAVR SAVR, was introduced in 1994, genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, have been part of the American food supply. GMO labeling is not required, so you have no way of knowing whether the food you eat contains GMO substances. Although you can buy first generation GMO food products in the produce aisle, many of the GMO foods you consume are second generation. An example of second generation GMO food is meat from livestock that was raised on GMO feed. With no GMO labeling, there is no way to trace problem foods or to know if GMO foods are involved in safety issues.
Soil Toxicity
One of the modifications made to GMO corn is the insertion of genes from the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt. According to the Mothers for Natural Law website, the Bt genes are used to control larval stages of insects that damage corn. The toxin in natural Bt is an effective organic insecticide when dusted on a crop in the traditional manner, and it degrades naturally. The molecular structure of the Bt toxin in GMO corn, however, is unnaturally truncated. The Bt toxin is released from the roots of the GMO corn into the soil, where it remains bound to soil particles and does not degrade. One bacterium developed for GMO seed corn specifically designed for ethanol processing left residues that made the soil infertile. Subsequent corn crops grew three inches tall and died.
Food Chain
Toxicity in the food chain is a major concern. Although the FDA claimed in 1992 that there was no difference between GMO and non-GMO foods, scientific support data is lacking. Studies indicate that toxicity does exist. The Mothers for Natural Law website points out a study in which ladybugs had a shortened lifespan and lowered fertility when they consumed aphids fed on GMO potatoes. In another study, army worms ate GMO corn that contained bacterial toxins. Green lacewings, which are beneficial predatory insects, had a death rate increase of two-thirds when they consumed the tainted army worms.
Unpredictability
Genetic manipulation in cells is accomplished by two methods. Organicconsumers.org explains that one method uses a "gene gun" to shoot the genetic material into the cells and the other uses bacteria carrying the foreign genes to invade the cells. Either way, there is collateral damage to the cells and to the genetic material. There is no real control over the placement of the genetic material. Mutations and rearrangements in the genes can occur in thousands of places, and the DNA of the original cells can be damaged or rearranged. Eating GMO foods places this unnatural genetic material into animals or humans. The mutations could transfer into your cells or into the DNA of the natural bacteria in your digestive system.
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