The war against genetically modified organisms is full of fearmongering, errors, and fraud.

[HuckleB]

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2015/07/are_gmos_safe_yes_the_case_against_them_is_full_of_fraud_lies_and_errors.html

"Is genetically engineered food dangerous? Many people seem to think it is. In the past five years, companies have submitted more than 27,000 products to the Non-GMO Project, which certifies goods that are free of genetically modified organisms. Last year, sales of such products nearly tripled. Whole Foods will soon require labels on all GMOs in its stores. Abbott, the company that makes Similac baby formula, has created a non-GMO version to give parents “peace of mind.” Trader Joe’s has sworn off GMOs. So has Chipotle.

Some environmentalists and public interest groups want to go further. Hundreds of organizations, including Consumers Union, Friends of the Earth, Physicians for Social Responsibility, the Center for Food Safety, and the Union of Concerned Scientists, are demanding “mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods.” Since 2013, Vermont, Maine, and Connecticut have passed laws to require GMO labels. Massachusetts could be next.

The central premise of these laws—and the main source of consumer anxiety, which has sparked corporate interest in GMO-free food—is concern about health. Last year, in a survey by the Pew Research Center, 57 percent of Americans said it’s generally “unsafe to eat genetically modified foods.” Vermont says the primary purpose of its labeling law is to help people “avoid potential health risks of food produced from genetic engineering.” Chipotle notes that 300 scientists have “signed a statement rejecting the claim that there is a scientific consensus on the safety of GMOs for human consumption.” Until more studies are conducted, Chipotle says, “We believe it is prudent to take a cautious approach toward GMOs.”

The World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, the National Academy of Sciences, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science have all declared that there’s no good evidence GMOs are unsafe. Hundreds of studies back up that conclusion. But many of us don’t trust these assurances. We’re drawn to skeptics who say that there’s more to the story, that some studies have found risks associated with GMOs, and that Monsanto is covering it up.

..."


This is one thorough debunking of the anti-GMO nonsense that is spread so often here at DU.

[jonno99]

1. I'm agnostic when it comes to the problems with GMO's.

[HuckleB]

2. What problems?

[jonno99]

3. Sorry - I should have qualified it by stating the "alleged" problems.

IOW - I'm interested in learning more about this subject.

Thanks for posting this article!

[AlbertCat]

4. Personally.....

..... I'm more worried about chickens with hormones that make them have breasts the size of a London broil.

[Lordquinton]

5. They don't give chickens hormones

they have been bred that way, so one less worry, I suppose?

[AlbertCat]

6. They don't give chickens hormones

Really?

Yes! one less.

Because I am not worried about GMOs.... just the lousy companies exploiting them and the folks turning their fear mongering away from the companies to the actual food...


Still when one damn chicken breast is TOO much to eat....

[Lordquinton]

7. No hormones in chickens, they don't need em

they grow fast enough on their own, cows on the other hand...

[HuckleB]

10. Citations needed.

[Nailzberg]

11. I beleive its illegal to use growth hormones in poultry.

And yet, you can find more expensive chickens at Whole Foods labeled "Hormone Free". Marketing.

[progressoid]

8. I was just reading this on my lunch break! It's great.

Maybe it should be seen in other areas of DU.

GD? Environment and Energy? Health?

[HuckleB]

9. Indeed. I don't have the energy to share it, however.

[HuckleB]

12. A good piece by an academic: GM Foods: A Moment of Honesty

http://fieldquestions.com/2015/07/29/gm-foods-a-moment-of-honesty/