Why Should You Care?

Unlike traditional breeding, grafting, or cross-pollinating, which succeed or fail by natural processes, genetic engineering involves taking genes from one species and forcing them into the DNA of another species, changing the molecular biology of that organism. To do this, scientists often use bacteria and/or viruses to “infect” the DNA of one organism with the genes of another organism. The result is an organism that would be impossible to obtain through natural processes like crossbreeding or grafting. An internal FDA document confirms that, “The processes of genetic engineering and traditional breeding are different and according to the technical experts in the agency, they lead to different risks.”³

Proponents tout the benefits of genetically-modified crops—vitamin fortified grains, highly productive crops that would feed millions of starving people, etc. But in fact, the only two traits found in nearly all commercialized genetically-modified plants are herbicide tolerance and/or pesticide production.⁴ This means that the plant is resistant to large doses of herbicides or that the plant produces pesticides in its own cells. In fact, the widespread use of genetically-modified crops engineered to tolerate herbicides has led to a sharp increase of the chemicals in the U.S. and is creating herbicide-resistant “super weeds” and an increase in chemical residues in U.S. food, according to a report released in late 2009. As more farmers have adopted variations of corn, soy beans, and cotton bred to tolerate weed killer in recent years, the use of herbicides has increased steadily, with herbicide use growing by 383 million pounds from 1996 to 2008, according to the report released by The Organic Center, the Union for Concerned Scientists, and the Center for Food Safety.⁵  When GMOs were first introduced into the food supply in the mid-1990s, scientists warned that they were unpredictable and could create foods that were toxic, allergenic, and less nutritious than their conventional counterparts. An increasing number of scientific studies support these concerns.   

Studies have found that:

• Mice fed genetically-modified potatoes developed abnormal and damaged cells, as well as proliferative cell growth in the small intestines.⁶
• Rats fed genetically-modified corn developed liver lesions.⁷
• More than half of the offspring of female rats fed genetically-modified soy died within three weeks of birth.⁸
• A multi-generational study conducted on mice fed genetically-modified corn found that hundreds of proteins that affect gene expression were expressed in an increased or decreased amount, which then altered biological processes.⁹
• The level of one known soy allergen is as much as seven times higher in genetically modified soy as in conventional soy.¹⁰
• Genetically-modified soy had up to 14 percent lower amounts of cancer-fighting isoflavones compared to regular soy.¹¹
• Canola engineered to have vitamin A in its oil had highly-reduced levels of vitamin E.¹²
• The only published human feeding experiment showed that genetic material inserted into genetically-modified soy transfers into the DNA of intestinal bacteria and continues to function.¹³ 
• Disregarding the studies, the FDA stands behind its position that, “The agency is not aware of any information showing that foods derived by these new methods differ from other foods in any meaningful or uniform way.”¹⁴

Like It or Not, You Are Already Eating GMOs

Consider these statistics: 94 percent of all soybeans grown in this country are genetically modified, 88 percent of all corn is genetically modified, 95 percent of sugar beets and 90 percent of all canola is genetically modified. In fact, it is estimated that 70 percent of the “convenience foods” sold in grocery stores contain some genetically-engineered ingredients.¹⁵ Ubiquitous ingredients like lecithin, xanthan gum, corn starch, corn syrup, fructose, soy protein, and soy isolate are often derived from genetically-modified crops like corn or soy. Additionally, conventionally-raised animals are often fed genetically-modified feed and are injected with genetically-engineered hormones. Even the foods you buy at the natural foods store could contain ingredients that have been genetically modified. Because the FDA does not require any labeling on these foods, it is impossible for manufacturers, retailers, or consumers to tell which foods may contain genetically-engineered ingredients. 

Common Foods That May Be Genetically Modified

• Corn (sweet corn, corn oil, cornmeal, cornstarch, high fructose corn syrup, hominy, polenta, and other corn-based ingredients)
• Canola (canola oil)
• Cottonseed (cottonseed oil)
• Sugar Beets (when you see “sugar” listed as an ingredient, it is almost certainly a combination of sugar from both sugar cane and GM sugar beets)
• Soybeans (soybean oil, soy protein, soy lecithin, soy milk, tofu, and other soy-based ingredients)
• Alfalfa (fed to livestock)
• Apples
• Papaya (from Hawaii and China)
• Potatoes
• Yellow Squash and Zucchini 
• Aspartame (in diet soft drinks and NutraSweet artificial sweetener)
• Dairy from cows given rBGH (Recombinant bovine growth hormone, also known as bovine somatotropin, or bST, was developed from genetically engineered E. coli bacteria and is injected into some cows to increase milk production. Look for dairy products labeled rBGHfree, or better yet, buy pastured and/or certified organic dairy products. Note: Natural Grocers does not carry dairy products made with milk from cows injected with rBGH.)

What You Should Know About GM Salmon

In late 2015, against widespread consumer and business opposition, the FDA approved AquaBounty’s genetically modified salmon—the first genetically engineered animal—for sale in the United States.¹⁶ Commercialization of the fish was delayed while the FDA sorted out the question of labeling it. But sales of the controversial farmed GM salmon have started in Canada and it is not labeled.

The fish, which grows much faster and larger than conventional salmon, is made by inserting a fragment of DNA from the ocean pout fish (a type of eel), along with a growth hormone gene from Chinook Pacific salmon, into a fertilized Atlantic salmon egg.¹⁷ The FDA’s food safety evaluation of GM salmon was widely criticized as grossly inadequate. For example, the FDA treats the salmon as if it were an animal drug, not a food for human consumption. The agency didn’t conduct its own safety studies. It also dismissed data showing elevated levels of IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor) that may significantly increase the risk of colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer. Data also suggests potentially increased allergenicity and higher levels of antibiotics in the fish.¹⁸ Most people say they do not want to eat the fish and take unintended risks with their health.

To avoid GM salmon when traveling in Canada, either don’t eat salmon or buy only wild caught.

If and when GM salmon is commercialized in the United States, know that there is a commercial boycott of it in place with restaurants, chefs, and grocery retailers pledging to keep GM salmon out of their establishments. More than 80 grocery store chains across the United States have made firm commitments to not sell GM salmon.¹⁹ Rest assured that Natural Grocers is a chain that has made that commitment.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage’s Policy Concerning GMOs

At Natural Grocers, we strive to offer our customers the absolute safest and highest-quality natural products available. While we don’t carry products that disclose that they contain bioengineered (BE) ingredients, the truth is that some of the natural products on the market, including some sold at our stores, have the potential to contain GMOs. Because companies are only required to disclose detectable GMO ingredients, it is hard to know which products contain GMOs, unless they are labeled as USDA organic or “non-GMO.” We make it a priority to stock many organic items (which do not allow GMOs) and look for new products that state “non-GM corn,” “non-GM soy” or “no GMOs” on the label. That said, we do have a number of very popular, longtime brands on our shelves that are not USDA organic or do not make the statement “no GMOs” in which case you can assume that there is the potential for the product to contain genetically-modified ingredients. Unfortunately, it is beyond our abilities as a retailer to do much more than advocate for better labeling laws and continue to offer GMO-free and organic products in our stores.

Read more about Natural Grocer's Product Standards

What Can You Do?

Of course, avoiding any foods labeled with as “bioengineered” or “BE” is a good place to start, but to truly avoid all GMOs your best bet is to buy from companies that label their products as non-GMO and opt for organic. The National Organic Standards Board prohibits the use of GMOs in organic production and requires 100-percent organic feed for organic livestock.²⁰  But be aware that as genetically-modified crops become more prevalent, the spread of their seeds and pollen is a serious concern. Even organic foods may be contaminated with traces of GMOs that have been spread by the wind, birds, or bees.

Visit these websites for more information on genetically-modified foods and ways to get involved:

• www.responsibletechnology.org
• www.saynotogmos.org
• www.centerforfoodsafety.org
• www.organicconsumers.org
• www.justlabelit.org
• www.nongmoproject.org
• www.citizens.org

References

1. http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/label.html
2. Institute for Responsible Technology. “State of the Science on the Health Risks of GM Foods.” P.2
3. Linda Kahl, Memo to James Maryanski about Federal Register Document “Statement of Policy: Foods from Genetically Modified Plants,” Alliance for Bio-Integrity (Jan. 8, 1992) http://www.biointegrity.org.
4. Institute for Responsible Technology. “State of the Science on the Health Risks of GM Foods.” P.1
5. http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE5AG0QY20091117
6. Nagui H. Fares, Adel K. El-Sayed, “Fine Structural Changes in the Ileum of Mice Fed on Endotoxin Treated Potatoes and Transgenic Potatoes,” Natural Toxins 6, no. 6 (1998): 219-233.
7. John M. Burns, “13-Week Dietary Subchronic Comparison Study with MONSANTO 863 Corn in Rats Preceded by a 1-Week Baseline Food Consumption Determination with PMI Certified Rodent Diet #5002,” December 17, 2002.
8. I.V. Ermakova, “Genetically Modified Organisms and Biological Risks,” Proceedings of International Disaster Reduction Conference, Davos, Switzerland. August 27-September 1, 2006: 168-172.
9. Cyran, N. Gully, S., Handl, G., Hofstatter, F. Meyer, Skalicky, M., & Steinborn, R. (November 11, 2008). Biological effects of transgenic maize NK603xMON810 fed in long term reproduction studies in mice. Unpublished report: Institute fur Ernahrung, Austria.
10. A. Pusztai and S. Bardocz, “GMO in animal nutrition: potential benefits and risks,” Chapter 17, Biology of Nutrition in Growing Animals, R. Mosenthin, J. Zentek and T. Zebrowska (Eds.) Elsevier, October 2005.
11. Alterations in clinically important phytoestrogens in genetically modified, herbicide-tolerant soybeans. Lappe M.A. et al. J Med Food, 1: 241-245, 1999.
12. Seed-specific overexpression of phytoene synthase: increase in carotenoids and other metabolic effects. Shewmaker CK et al. Plant J, 20: 401-412, 1999.
13. Netherwood et al, “Assessing the survival of transgenic plant DNA in the human gastrointestinal tract,” Nature Biotechnology 22 (2004): 2.
14. “Statement of Policy: Foods Derived from New Plant Varieties,” Federal Register 57, no. 104: 22991.
15. NGVC CLF104. “Genetic Engineering and the Dangers.” P.2
16. Smith, Melissa Diane. What You Should Know about Genetically Modified Salmon, The “Fish” That No One Wants. Against the Grain Nutrition News & Notes blog, December 13, 2015. http://www.againstthegrainnutrition.com/newsandnotes/2015/12/13/what-you-should-know-about-genetically-modified-salmon-the-fish-that-no-one-wants/.
17. Smith, Melissa Diane. Going Against GMOs: The Fast-Growing Movement to Avoid Unnatural Genetically Modified “Foods” to Take Back Our Food and Health. Pg. 25.
18. Institute for Responsible Technology. Tell Canadians: Don’t Eat Farm-Raised Salmon—It Might Be Genetically Engineered. August 4, 2017. https://responsibletechnology.org/tell-canadians-dont-eat-farm-raised-salmon-might-genetically-engineered/.
19. Friends of the Earth. GMO Animals. https://foe.org/projects/gmo-animals/.
20. http://www.ota.com/organic/us_standards.html