Top 20 Foods and Products that have been Genetically

Modified

The debate over labeling genetically modified organisms still continues in US while 27
different countries have banned GMOs and 50 countries across the globe have
requited GMO labeling. The voters in California will make the final decision this November
to label GMOs. Meanwhile customers should be aware of the food products that have
already been genetically modified and aren’t properly labeled.

Many independent studies and research performed by the concerned scientific

community have warned the public about potential GMO harms and dangers. However due
to lack of proper labeling, many foods could be genetically modified without your
knowledge. Here are the top 20 foods that have been genetically modified:

1. Cotton Seeds
Almost half of cottons grown in the world have been genetically modified to resist pests and
pesticides. GMO BT cotton has had devastating results in Indian agriculture causing suicide of
250,000 Indian farmers in the last decade. Dr. Vandana Shiva in a study shows how GM cotton have
lead to Indian farmers suicide and soil infertility by killing useful microorganisms in the soil.

Monsanto's Bt Cotton Kills the Soil as Well as Farmers

Also in March 2006, the shepherds of Warangal district reported the death of nearly 2,000 sheep
after gazing on GMO cotton crops from sever inflammation and toxicity of intestine.
Mortality in Sheep Flocks after grazing on Bt Cotton fields – Warangal District,
Andhra Pradesh

Consumers should be aware that cottonseed oil are extracted from cotton plant seeds and is
consumed by us in many foods.

2. Jatropha

The seeds of Jatropha plant are like palm oil and can be used as biofuel. The extracted oil
from the Jatropha seeds is a high source of protein and can be used for feeding livestock.
However planting Jatropha seeds have caused destruction of the native plants
and devastating results in agricultural practices in India.

3. Rice
Both Golden rice and flood resistant rice have now been genetically modified to contain high levels
of vitamin A. However Daily China reported about the serious environmental and health issues such
as increase in allergies related to GMO rice.

GM rice has long-term risks

4. Soy:
More than 90 percent of soybeans grown in the United States are genetically modified. GMO
Soy compounds can block normal estrogen; disrupt endocrine function, cause infertility, increase the
chances of allergies and breast cancer. Soy can also cause vitamin B12 deficiencies and interfere
with protein digestion. GMO soy can be found in pastries, soy tofu, soybean oil, soy milk, soy flour,
soy protein, soy lecithin, soy beverages and many famous infant formulas. In fact GMO rats that
were fed GMO soy had higher rate of death and infertility.

The Health Dangers of Soy by Dr. Joseph Mercola

Could Eating Too Much Soy Be Bad for You?

5. Sugar Beets:
GMO sugar beets were engineered to grow faster and to be more resistant to weeds. However a
federal judge put a halt on processing GMO sugar beets due to failure of USDA to present an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Many environmentalists and researchers are concerned that
GMO sugar beets could have serious impacts on the environment and other crops.

Federal Judge Halts Planting of GM Sugar Beets For Now

Despite the halt, earlier last year the USDA gave farmers permit to grow Roundup Ready pesticide
resistant sugar beets. Now 85% of sugar beets planted in the US are all GMOs.

USDA: Farmers can plant genetically modified beets

USDA Allows GMO Sugar Beet Planting Even After a Landmark Court Decision
Says No

6. Yeast

Although the wine institute released a statement that GMO yeast shouldn’t be used in making wines,
genetically modified wine yeast, ML01 is out in the market.
The Dangers of Genetically Modified Yeast Wine

Headaches, histamines and GM yeast [ML01]

Genetically modified yeast has been related to increase in headaches and allergies. Make
sure you contact the vineyard or the wine maker before purchasing the wine, if you want to
make sure they aren't using GMO yeast.

7. Cassava
Cassava is a starchy plant like potato that is consumed by many people across the globe like Africa.
The first GMO cassava plant was engineered in 1955. Cassava was supposed to be virus and pest
resistant but farmers reported that in few years the GMO cassava lose their anti-virus resistant
quality.

GM cassava

8. Papaya and Banana

Papaya was first genetically modified in Hawaii and introduced to the market in 1999. Genetically
modifiedpapayas aren’t approved in Europe however 50% of papayas that are from Hawaii are
genetically modified. Also majority of bananas in the US are genetically modified.

9. Artificial additives, preservatives and sweeteners

Many additives, preservatives and food flavoring are genetically modified. Aspartame in diet
drinks is sure one of the products of genetic engineering.
10. Potatoes
Genetically modified potatoes are a threat to other organic produce and their biodiversity. Studies
showed that mice that were fed GMO potatoes had higher toxins in their blood. Here is the summary
of GMO potatoes health risks:

Briefing: Summary of the risks of GM potatoes

11. Corn
Most corns produced in America are genetically modified. Corn can be found is almost every
processed foods in forms of high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, corn starch, corn oil and corn meal.
Many food products such as many breakfast cereals, infant formula, salad dressing, bread, cereal,
hamburgers, mayonnaise, veggie burgers, meat substitutes, soy cheese, tomato sauce, crackers,
cookies, chocolate, candy, fried food, protein powder, baking powder, alcohol, vanilla, powdered
sugar, peanut butter, ice cream, frozen yogurt, tofu, tamari, soy sauce, enriched flour and pasta
have high levels of GMO corn. GMO corns have been related to infertility, tumors, and increase
in food allergies.

12. Tomatoes
GMO tomatoes are banned in Europe but many tomatoes have been genetically modified in US.
Tomatoes are genetically modified to last longer and not get rotten quickly. GMO tomatoes have
been related to premature death in lab rats.

GMO Tomatoes

13. Squash
Squash was genetically modified to become more resistant against viruses and bacteria. However
the cucumber cockroaches love to feed on GMO squash and start wounding the leaves and leaving
open holes in them. The cockroaches’ feces get absorbed into the stem of genetically
modified squash and cause bacterial diseases. Some experts also believe that GMO squash have
been blended into the wild plant and that might increase the chances of new pathogens
and bacterial diseases.

14. Oils
Most vegetable oils used in production of processed foods are genetically modified. Cotton seed oil,
corn oil and soy oil are mostly genetically modified and produced in US, India and China. Also most
canola crops in Canada have also been genetically modified. Both GMO cottonseed oil, GMO canola
oil (rapeseed oil) are genetically modified to be resistant to pesticides. Before genetic modification,
canola oil or rapeseed oil was too bitter to be used in foods. However the best healthy oil for cooking
is organic grapeseed oil and the best cold-pressed oil for salad dressing is olive oil. Be aware that
cold pressed oils like olive or coconut shouldn’t be exposed to heat.

15. Animals that are fed GMO

US, Brazil and Argentina are the three main exporters of GMO soybeans. Most cows, pigs
and chickens maize on GMO corn and soy except the ones that are certified organic or
grass fed. Also most dairy products in US are produced from animals that have been
injected with rBGH growth hormones and antibiotics. rBGH growth hormones and
antibiotics can increase the chances of breast and prostate cancer, allergies and make
body more resistant to antibiotics.

16. Salmon
GMO salmon grows a lot faster than wild salmon and it grows twice as size. AquAdvantage is the
GMO salmon that can be grown as farmed fish. Many environmentalists and scientists are worried
that GMO salmon could have negative impact on the environment and mutate over time. Wild
salmon is the is low- mercury salmon and best for consumption.

Giant salmon will be first GM animal available for eating

17. Peas
Genetically modified peas are created by inserting kidney beans genes into the peas DNA and
creating a protein that functions as a pesticide. Studies show that genetically modified peas can
cause lower immune system in human beings.

18. Alfalfa
Genetically modified alfalfa could be a serious threat to organic sustainable agriculture. Alfalfa has
been found to be an amazing source of nitrogen for the soil and increasing fertility. However GMO
alfalfas are treated with Monsanto’s Roundup ready that have been related to many health problems
including a mysterious organism.Dr. Don Huber found a new mysterious organism in crops that were
treated with Roundup. This new organism can cause disease in crops, increase infertility and
potentially harm the US food supply. He wrote a letter to Tom Visak, the secretary of agriculture who
was called the governor of the year by biotech companies, to put a halt on Roundup until further
studies are performed but his letter was ignored and never replied. Despite many concerns by the
scientific communities, the FDA and USDA approved genetically modified alfalfa. Approving
genetically modified Alfalfa can increase the chance of cross-contamination since alfalfa is pollinated
by insects. In few years the new gene can contaminate all the crops in America and that could be a
serious threat to organic sustainable agriculture.

U.S. Approves Genetically Modified Alfalfa

End of Organics? Monsanto’s GMO Alfalfa Approved

19. Pork
A project called “Enviropig” has been going on in Canada since 1999 to genetically modify pigs by
taking genes from mice and E.Coli bacteria and inserting it into pigs. However there are still
concerns among the scientific community about the environmental impacts of GMO pigs and their
safety for human consumption.

Genetically Modified Pig "Enviropig" shelved

Major Canadian food processor says no to GM Enviropig

20. Honey

The Canadian export of honey was banned to Europe after the honeybees in Canada were
feeding off of GMO canola. In US 75% of honey you find in the grocery stores are made
of high fructose corn syrup with no nutritional value. If you’re looking for non-GMO
honey you should buy organic raw honey.

2. Description[edit]
Strains of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis produce over 200 different Bt toxins, each harmful to
different insects. Most notably, Bt toxins are insecticidal to the larvae of moths and
butterflies, beetles, cotton bollworms and ghtu flies but are harmless to other forms of life.[1] The
gene coding for Bt toxin has been inserted into cotton as a transgene, causing it to produce this
natural insecticide in its tissues. In many regions, the main pests in commercial cotton
are lepidopteran larvae, which are killed by the Bt protein in the genetically modified cotton they eat.
This eliminates the need to use large amounts of broad-spectrum insecticides to kill lepidopteran
pests (some of which have developed pyrethroid resistance). This spares natural insect predators in
the farm ecology and further contributes to noninsecticide pest management.
Bt cotton is ineffective against many cotton pests such as plant bugs, stink bugs, and aphids;
depending on circumstances it may be desirable to use insecticides in prevention. A 2006 study
done by Cornell researchers, the Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy and the Chinese Academy of
Science on Bt cotton farming in China found that after seven years these secondary pests that were
normally controlled by pesticide had increased, necessitating the use of pesticides at similar levels to
non-Bt cotton and causing less profit for farmers because of the extra expense of GM seeds.[2]

Mechanism[edit]
Bt cotton was created through the addition of genes encoding toxin crystals in the Cry group
of endotoxin.[1] When insects attack and eat the cotton plant the Cry toxins are dissolved due to the
high pH level of the insect's stomach. The dissolved and activated Cry molecules bond to cadherin-
like proteins on cells comprising the brush border molecules.[1] The epithelium of the brush border
membranes separates the body cavity from the gut while allowing access for nutrients. The Cry toxin
molecules attach themselves to specific locations on the cadherin-like proteins present on the
epithelial cells of the midge and ion channels are formed which allow the flow of
potassium.[1] Regulation of potassium concentration is essential and, if left unchecked, causes death
of cells. Due to the formation of Cry ion channels sufficient regulation of potassium ions is lost and
results in the death of epithelial cells. The death of such cells creates gaps in the brush border
membrane.

Description[edit]
Strains of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis produce over 200 different Bt toxins, each harmful to
different insects. Most notably, Bt toxins are insecticidal to the larvae of moths and
butterflies, beetles, cotton bollworms and ghtu flies but are harmless to other forms of life.[1] The
gene coding for Bt toxin has been inserted into cotton as a transgene, causing it to produce this
natural insecticide in its tissues. In many regions, the main pests in commercial cotton
are lepidopteran larvae, which are killed by the Bt protein in the genetically modified cotton they eat.
This eliminates the need to use large amounts of broad-spectrum insecticides to kill lepidopteran
pests (some of which have developed pyrethroid resistance). This spares natural insect predators in
the farm ecology and further contributes to noninsecticide pest management.
Bt cotton is ineffective against many cotton pests such as plant bugs, stink bugs, and aphids;
depending on circumstances it may be desirable to use insecticides in prevention. A 2006 study
done by Cornell researchers, the Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy and the Chinese Academy of
Science on Bt cotton farming in China found that after seven years these secondary pests that were
normally controlled by pesticide had increased, necessitating the use of pesticides at similar levels to
non-Bt cotton and causing less profit for farmers because of the extra expense of GM seeds.[2]

Mechanism[edit]
Bt cotton was created through the addition of genes encoding toxin crystals in the Cry group
of endotoxin.[1] When insects attack and eat the cotton plant the Cry toxins are dissolved due to the
high pH level of the insect's stomach. The dissolved and activated Cry molecules bond to cadherin-
like proteins on cells comprising the brush border molecules.[1] The epithelium of the brush border
membranes separates the body cavity from the gut while allowing access for nutrients. The Cry toxin
molecules attach themselves to specific locations on the cadherin-like proteins present on the
epithelial cells of the midge and ion channels are formed which allow the flow of
potassium.[1] Regulation of potassium concentration is essential and, if left unchecked, causes death
of cells. Due to the formation of Cry ion channels sufficient regulation of potassium ions is lost and
results in the death of epithelial cells. The death of such cells creates gaps in the brush border
membrane.
3.

PH among world’s top GM

crop growers
By: Ronnel W. Domingo- @inquirerdotnet
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 06:09 AM February 06, 2015
MANILA, Philippines–The Philippines remains among the top countries where
genetically modified (GM) crops are being cultivated as biotech produce continue to be
the “fastest-adopted crop technology” in the world, according to the International
Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA).

The ISAAA said the size of land planted to biotech crops globally continued to grow
throughout the 19 years since the first commercial planting in 1996 in the United States.

According to the group, the Philippines kept the 12th rank among the 28 countries that
have so far adopted GM crops.
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As of the end of 2014, there were 73.1 million hectares planted to GM crops in the US.
In the Philippines, 800,000 hectares are planted to biotech corn.
This makes the Philippines part of the list of 19 “mega-countries” or those with more
than 50,000 hectares devoted to biotech crops.
Adoption traversed different levels of economic development as Bangladesh last year
became the 28th country to encourage commercial cultivation.

Bangladesh, one of the poorest countries in the world, makes the 20th developing
country to go into GMOs. Authorities in the South Asian country approved in 2013 the
commercialization of the world’s first biotech eggplant.

Earlier, ISAAA noted that this development in Bangladesh broke the impasse of the
approval process to commercialize biotech eggplant in India as well as the Philippines,
where a case is pending in the Supreme Court.

In Bangladesh, biotech proponents are also pursuing approval of GM potato and the so-
called Golden Rice, which is expected to help address death and blindness among
malnourished children.

Scientists continue to hope that regulators in the Philippines will approve

commercialization of the Vitamin A-enriched grain by 2016, but the ISAAA said
Bangladesh has also assigned high priority to the product.
In Southeast Asia, the only other country that allows biotech crops is Myanmar, with
300,000 hectares planted to GM cotton.

Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/186190/ph-among-worlds-top-gm-crop-

growers#ixzz56QFM3tFQ
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Agri-biotech market
sustains growth
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 06:48 AM January 12, 2015

MANILA, Philippines–The global agricultural biotechnology market hit $27.8 billion

as of the end of 2014, sustaining a projected compound annual growth rate of 11
percent.

This was disclosed in a report released by international market research organization

BCC Research. The report also projected that the the global market for agricultural
biotechnology could hit $46.8 billion by 2019.

“North America and South America are the leading geographic markets for agricultural
biotechnology products,” the BCC Research report said. “South America and Asia are
projected to post high growth rates in their markets due to favorable regulatory climate
and new transgenic crops,” the report added.
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“Biotechnology tools, including DNA sequencing, biochips, RNA interference,

synthetic biology and genome editing tools comprise a small but high growth segment
of the industry,” the report said.

The said tools, it explained, “enable the development of better plant breeding programs,
as well as novel plant traits, thus enhancing downstream agricultural markets.”
“The market growth for biotechnology tools is aided by the ongoing revolution in
genomics, which is rapidly changing how plant breeding is done and is accelerating the
discovery and implementation of new plant traits,” BCC Research pointed out.

In the Philippines, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and
Research (Searca) said the farm income of farmers engaged in biotech crop cultivation
had reached some P400 million over a nine-year period. It said the Philippines had
“achieved self-sufficiency in yellow corn over the same period” following the
introduction of a biotech corn variety in the country.

The Searca also said the Philippines’ advances in biotech crop cultivation were key to
improving the country’s food security and reduce the country’s reliance on imported
corn. The center also confirmed that higher biotech yellow corn harvests “have helped
the Philippines stop the annual importation of some one million metric tons of this
commodity which is used by the livestock industry.”

Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/184857/agri-biotech-market-sustains-

growth#ixzz56QFkMR4P
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Biotech role in integrated

Asean market cited
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 03:17 AM December 01, 2014

Agricultural biotechnology can help the Philippines compete with lower-priced food
commodities from other countries in the face of the integration of the Asean market
next year.
This was pointed out by Emil Javier, former president of the University of the
Philippines, who said the country faced serious competition in the rice and sugar sectors
from Thailand and Vietnam.

Javier, who is also a former chancellor of UP Los Baños, said the “newfound vigor and
competitiveness of the yellow corn feed sector” would be the country’s hope in the
intense competition following the Asean market integration.
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He said the Philippines had achieved near self-sufficiency in yellow corn feed due to
the large-scale adoption of corn varieties developed through agricultural biotechnology.
Data showed that Filipino corn farmers planted some 800,000 hectares to this variety in
2013. This represents 57 percent of the total area planted to corn nationwide.

Javier said farmers who used the biotech corn variety registered harvests of 5.4 to 5.8
tons per hectare, compared to the 3 tons per hectare harvested by users of traditional
varieties. Farmers from Bukidnon and Isabela harvest as much as 8 tons per hectare
using the biotech corn variety.

“We can compete in the world trade for feed corn,” Javier said.

He explained, however, that “the more realistic objective is to further increase supply of
competitively priced quality feed corn to strengthen the competitiveness of our poultry
and swine industries to bring down the cost of chicken and pork for domestic
consumption and export.”
The biotechnology process raises the quality of corn by developing varieties with built-
in resistance to insects and traditional pests. The resistance allows these varieties to
produce more without the application of chemical pesticides.

Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/182844/biotech-role-in-integrated-asean-

market-cited#ixzz56QFo62gR
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Global pesticides use down

as biotech crop adoption
rises, study shows
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 04:22 AM October 17, 2014

MANILA, Philippines–Crop biotechnology has significantly reduced the amount of

chemical pesticide spraying worldwide by 474 million kilograms, or 9 percent, over the
past 15 years, according to a report by PG Economics, a UK-based advisory and
consultancy services provider specializing on plant biotechnology, agricultural
production systems, agricultural markets and policy.

The reduction is equivalent to the total amount of pesticide active ingredient applied to
arable land in member countries of the European Union over a period of one-and-a-half
crop years, the report noted.
“As a result, this has decreased the environmental impact associated with herbicide and
insecticide use on the area planted to biotech crops by 18.1 percent,” the PG Economics
report said.
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Modern agriculture biotechnology has allowed the development of crop varieties with
built-in resistance to traditional pests. Due to their natural ability to fight pests, such
crop varieties no longer require the massive application of chemical pesticides.

The report also pointed out that “crop biotechnology has contributed to significantly
reducing the release of greenhouse emissions from agricultural practices.”

“This is due to the reduced use of fuel and additional soil carbon storage from reduced
tillage with biotech crop varieties,” it said. “In 2011, this was equivalent to removing 23
billion kilograms of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or equal to removing 10.2
million cars from the road for one year.”

Since 1996, the total amount of harvested biotech crops has topped four billion acres or
1.6 billion hectares or an area 1.5 times the size of Europe or nearly as big as South
America.

The PG Economics annual global impact report quantifies the effects of agricultural
biotechnology on the environment and on farmer incomes since the commercialization
of biotech crop varieties in 1996.

Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/180433/global-pesticides-use-down-as-

biotech-crop-adoption-rises-study-shows#ixzz56QFqRCO4
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