GMO Hazards

The GMO debate is very controversial, but I think that the majority of people have an inherent understanding of the topic. This is why most people do not want to be exposed to GMO foods, and are understandably wary of consuming them in foods. The bottom line is that there is no way that genetically modified plants are the same as those that are naturally occurring!

When scientists start using restriction endonucleases (i.e., enzymes that cut DNA at a specific DNA base pair sequence) to cleave DNA, and then insert genes from different species into it, that sounds like the definition of Pandora's Box situation to me! Each type of living organism has a specific safety codon sequence that makes it impossible for different species to interbreed. Genetic scientists have learned how to bypass this. Because these types of experiments have never been done before, the experimental population could be considered to be everyone in the world.

A huge problem with this recombinant DNA technology is that there are often unintended consequences. When there are genes being inserted into bacteria, commonly-used plants, and all over the place, this can create a danger. There is no way to predict how artificially created genetically-modified organisms will interact with other organisms and the genetic results. A scary fact is that all sorts of different genes from different species are being spliced together.

The biggest push for the use of this recombinant DNA technology is from the corporations that stand to make immense profits from its use. Companies like Monsanto, a company that has already 'gifted' the world with Dioxin, PCB's, Agent Orange, aspartame, and DDT. So their claims for the safety of bioengineered organisms are not objective, since they stand to gain many billions (if not trillions) in profits from this technology.

The scariest thing about these genetically modified organisms is that once they are introduced into organism populations that are outside 'in the wild', there is virtually no way to remove them if they begin having harmful effects! In addition, there is virtually no regulation of the use of this technology. Scientists have done no long-term studies on GM organisms or foods. Political and economic considerations have been the major priority, with no consideration of the possibility of catastrophic consequences from such irresponsible behavior. This 'shoot from the hip' attitude with recombinant DNA technology could lead to massive death and destruction of life on this planet. This is how serious the consequences from these actions could be. We are hoping for the best, but it is bordering on insanity for recombinant DNA to be rolled out into nature in such a thoughtless manner.

Food Catastrophe In the Making?

I just found out that there is an epidemic of death passing through the honey bee population. This might sound like a big joke, but I assure you that the honey bee is one of the most important elements in food cultivation for humans. In fact, some people think that millions of people could be affected by the problems that would result if the honey bee were to become extinct.

The worst thing about this situation is that some people suspect that the massive honey bee die-0ff is the result of Genetically-Modified/Genetically Altered crops being heavily marketed by the likes of corporations like Monsanto. Another cause could possibly be the accumulation of mercury in the bees. It has been said that mercury contamination of the environment is increasing at an alarming rate. The article above states that mercury contamination has been found in just about all parts of the environment as well as in numerous wildlife species. It has already been found that Genetically Engineered corn may be toxic to humans in a recent study. The problem with this is that virtually all of the corn in America is genetically engineered!

Another problem that I see with this is that once the genes from the genetically altered plants are out 'in-the-wild', there is no way to control their spread, or remove them from the genetic makeup of the affected plants. In addition, these genes will continue to be spread throughout the environment, and also throughout the entire food chain. Can you say Pandora's Box? There is really no way to reliably forecast the extent of the damage that this may do. It is not out of the realm of possibility that it could lead to the extinction of all life on the planet. Who can say? What were these people thinking about? All I know for sure is that the entire push for genetically engineered genes being placed into the environment was premature, and was either done wrecklessly, or was done intentionally to create scourges and other severe problems on this planet. It was (and continues to be) a foolhardy plan, at best. It is the equivalent of playing Russian Roulette with the future of humanity.