I wrote this article back in November 2008 and is even more important in 2020.
The book Genetic Roulette, written by Jeffrey M. Smith is not the ramblings of an eco warrior, but scientific painstakingly gathered and verified documented evidence of the health risks of allowing an artificial mutagenic process.
A long-term feeding study commissioned by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, managed by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Health, Family and Youth, and carried out by Veterinary University Vienna, confirms genetically modified (GM) corn seriously affects reproductive health in mice. Non-GMO advocates, who have warned about this infertility link along with other health risks, now seek an immediate ban of all GM foods and GM crops to protect the health of humankind and the fertility of women around the world. *Update 2020 bans are in place in various countries but it is a mixed and complicated picture.
The mice were fed genetically modified corn developed by the US-based Monsanto Corporation and this led to lower fertility and body weight. Lead author of the study Professor Zentek said, there was a direct link between the decrease in fertility and the GM diet, and that mice fed with non-GE corn reproduced more efficiently.
The corn is genetically modified with genes that produce a pesticidal toxin, as well as genes that allow it to survive applications of Monsanto’s herbicide Roundup.
Genetic Roulette, was distributed to members of congress last year (2007), documents 65 serious health risks of GM products, including similar fertility problems with GM soy and GM corn: Offspring of rats fed GM soy showed a five-fold increase in mortality, lower birth weights, and the inability to reproduce. Male mice fed GM soy had damaged young sperm cells. The embryo offspring of GM soy-fed mice had altered DNA functioning. Several US farmers reported sterility or fertility problems among pigs and cows fed on GM corn varieties. Additionally, over the last two months, investigators in India have documented fertility problems, abortions, premature births, and other serious health issues, including deaths, among buffaloes fed GM cottonseed products.
The principle GM crops are soy, corn, cottonseed and canola. GM sugar from sugar beets will also be introduced before year’s end ((2008).
The biotech industry’s claim that genetically modified (GMO’s) foods are safe is shattered in this groundbreaking book. Genetic Roulette was written in collaboration with a team of international scientists, is for anyone wanting to understand GM technology, to learn how to protect themselves, or to share their concerns with others. It is presented in the clear, accessible style that made Jeffrey Smith’s earlier book Seeds of Deception the world’s best-selling book on genetically engineered foods.
I would recommend both books As the world’s most complete reference on the health risks of GM foods.
In his foreword to Genetic Roulette, former UK government environment minister Michael Meacher says, “This is the authentic book on genetic modification that the world has been waiting for. . . . The case presented is absolutely a smoking shotgun that should stop in its tracks any dabbling with GM foods, whether by individual families, food companies, or indeed nations.”
Here are 3 examples of what eminent scientists think of Genetic Roulette –
“The most comprehensive, well documented, and highly readable exposé on the serious health dangers of GM foods.”
Samuel S. Epstein, MD, professor emeritus of Enviromental Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health and chairman, Cancer prevention Coalition
“Jeffrey Smith’s Genetic Roulette destroys the myth that genetically modified organisms are safe and will give sleepless nights to the uncritical supporters of GMO’s. It contains a wealth of up-to-date information, fully describing the negative findings, mishaps and actual harm caused by genetic engineering, as well as the possible health problems with this technology. In contrast to industry propaganda, all the information in this book is fully referenced. I would advise all the grab a copy now and read it, regardless of which side they are on in the GMO debate. It is a real treasure and the most important GMO source book for policy makers, scientists, and the public.”
Arpad Pusztai, PhD and Susan Bardocz,PhD, DSc, both formally of the Rowett Institute, consultants of the Norwegian Institute of Gene Ecology, and experts on safety assessments on genetically modified foods.
“The process by which crops are currently genetically engineered is a mutagenic process. Scientists still have much to learn regarding the ramifications of putting bacterial, viral, or any other genes into the foreign context of a plant’s DNA. For these and other reasons he describes in his book, Jeffrey Smith believes the products of this mutagenic genetic engineering process should be more thoroughly studied scientifically and more thoroughly regulated-especially by the FDA- before they are ever released into commerce. He is absolutely right.”
Belinda Martineau, PhD, molecular geneticist, co-developer of the first commercialised genetically engineered food crop.
Fast Forward to Autumn 2020
In the UK we are looking for trading partners as we move towards a post Brexit era. And both the UK and the US governments seem keen do get a deal signed soon, but the constant fear is that the UK will be forced to lower our food standards as part of that deal, so I strongly urge all UK readers to go sign the petition you can find on my 2020 article called Save Our Food Standards
Chef Kevin Ashton 