You are what you eat.
While this is certainly not a new idea, a recent study in cell research shows that “what you eat” doesn’t simply refer to the carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals that are in your food–> it also refers to the “information” (or DNA) of that food.
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So, when we consume genetically-modified foods, what exactly does that do to us?
It alters our organ function and may affect fertility, according to this study.
[click here if you can't see the video]
According to this report, “The more genetically-modified foods you consume, the less human you become.”
What I found especially shocking, was the information about Bt-corn–> a corn that is genetically-modified to produce an insecticide as it grows! When insects eat this corn, they die… which encourages other insects to avoid it.
(And then we’re supposed to eat that same corn?!)
Unless you select a corn product that is specifically labeled “non-GMO” or “certified organic” (including corn-based breakfast cereals, tortillas, pet food, etc.), there’s a good chance that Bt-corn was used to make it.
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Let’s consider this even MORE reason to choose whole, unprocessed foods as much as possible.
Reader Feedback: Do you make an effort to avoid GMO foods? Are you surprised by how much they can affect organ function? While I shouldn’t be surprised, I still found this study pretty shocking! Especially by the fact that a certain “big company” didn’t even think it was necessary for the FDA to test the safety of genetically-modified foods…
Such an interesting post! I try to avoid GMO’s when I can but admit I’m not always as good about it as I should be! After seeing this post though I’m definitely going to be more aware of it! Thanks for the great info!
This is crazy! Thank you for posting this. One extra step to being healthier.
This is very scary.. the last year I’ve started eating healthier, I only get groceries from trader joes or other health food stores, but I never even look for a GMO label..I will from now on. Is it mostly just corn and other grains that are GMO or what should we be aware of? Fruits and vegetables at like walmart?
Hi Megan!
I’ve been quietly following and loving your blog for a few months now- I probably make two of your desserts each week, and I really admire your relationship with food. However, as a PhD student in Genetics I feel obligated to comment on this post with a few issues that I think are being overlooked by those who are using this study in the war on GMOs. First, the miRNA implicated in this paper is one found naturally in rice, not in any GMO. Second, these mice ate 100% rice diets… who would be able to eat just once food, all the time? Lastly, most organisms are genetically modified by altering DNA, not miRNA. Plant miRNAs have a special modification which protects them from digestion in our stomach, but ALL of the DNA that we ingest is chopped into little bits and cannot be combined with human DNA in our own cells. From a scientific and health-conscious standpoint, this was a really interesting paper that brings to mind a lot of questions. On the other hand, we could ask if there beneficial miRNAs in some food that promote healthy cell function. Maybe there’s more to spinach than fiber and vitamins
I also have a few issues with the video above- I think it makes a lot of scientific “jumps” and inaccuracies that might be confusing, especially regarding the Bt-corn. Bt-corn is not “Bt” because of miRNAs like those in the research article- this corn contains the DNA needed to make the toxin, and that DNA does not survive digestion in humans. However, if a GM-food is modified in a way that requires a special miRNA, and we ingest that food, the miRNA does not simply “bind” our organs and cause them to malfunction, as the video implies. In order for miRNAs to change a cell’s function, those molecules must be taken up by the cells and interact properly with many other molecules in a very specific order and place before they can have any effect. This process is very important for normal cell function and is highly regulated, so it is possible that our cells actually have a way to either detect miRNAs that come from plants and inactivate them, or that other processes compensate for the effects of the plant miRNA. Either way, the genetic material from the food we eat (natural OR GMO) does not become part of our DNA, and we therefore do not become genetically less human by consuming the DNA of other species.
In the end, I think it’s incredibly important for companies to label GM foods and for people to be learn about both the potential risks or benefits of consuming GM foods so that we can make informed choices about what we eat.
I totally appreciate your comment, Liz! Obviously, you are much more of an expert than I am, but I agree that companies should discuss and label GM foods so that we can all make more educated choices.
yes I try to avoid GMOs, scary how much food is changing.
It is still uncertain how GMO foods will affect us in the future, and much more research needs to be done. In my house we avoid any soy, corn or canola unless it is non GMO certified or organic (a product can not be labelled organic if it contains genetically modified foods). Thanks for posting this!
Its so freaky the some of the things that go into our foods. Its hard to think we can trust any of them, especially after products coming out saying they actually are not totally non GMO or not actually even 80% organic and all that. I definitely try to avoid them at all costs. It saddens me how much food is changing.
Unfortunately Measure 37 (requiring the labeling of GMOs) did not pass in CA. The good news is that labeling is very important to 90% of the population so we will see more ballot measures that is for sure. The definition of “organic” will be changing, so keep doing your research and reading labels.