Monsanto's Roundup: A Scientific Study

In conclusion, GMOs and pesticides are harmful and alarming to producers and consumers. They cause animals pain and harm humans when consumed. Many animals live short and painful lives, while humans now must suffer with long term diseases or damage to their bodies. Although some argue that Genetically modified produce is benefiting producers and consumers, I still argue that genetically modified organisms harm animals and

The human body is not designed to handle all the toxins that are put into GMO products, and as consumers, we should be informed of the potential harm we are putting into our bodies. Helke Ferrie, in his article “Evidence Grows of Harmful Effects of GMOs on Human Health” states, “…all modern human diseases are being caused by environmental toxins of our own making” (12), on the contrary, in the journal “GMOs – A solution or a Problem”, Mark Lynas claims that “… there has never been a single sustained health concern [caused by GMOs]” (132). Ferrie mentions multiple studies where GMOs have proven to “…increase the incidence of cancer, diabetes, hormone disruption, neurological, immunological and other metabolic disorders” (12). After mass amounts of research have been conducted to prove the dangers of GMOs, proof that has been gathered of the detriments genetically modified organisms bring to the human liver; researchers conclude, “… anything that upsets the liver must be… exceedingly

The dangers of the food industry need to be revealed to the public so that people can live healthier lifestyles. For this to be done, the food companies need to start labeling what is in their food. There are numerous harmful chemicals and hormones found in the food we consume, and there needs to be more awareness of what society is recklessly ingesting. A two-year study on the effects of genetic mutation on mice was published on September 19th, 2011 in Food and Chemical Toxicology. In the experiment, the mice consumed corn that was sprayed with Roundup, the food company, Monsanto’s brand of weed killer, or drank water with levels of Roundup that are similar to what is found in U.S. tap water. The shocking results revealed that the mice

The stomach lining of animals fed GMO grain showed excessive cell growth, a condition that may lead to cancer and also had damaged organs and immune systems. III. Can the human race live without the production of GMO’S (Genetically Modified Organisms) A. GM foods on the market are causing common diseases and their effects appear only after long-term exposure, we may not be able to identify the source of the problem for decades, if at all.

These concerns are about the potential of illnesses GMOs could cause. An article observes, “In the 20-plus years on the market, GMOs have not caused or contributed to a single illness or death” (“GMO Myths Vs. Facts”). There have not been any traces of illnesses after multiple testing of GMO products. Since there are only ten commercially farmed genetically modified crops in the United States, the possibility of people getting a disease from them is rare; especially because three of the crops are mainly for feeding livestock. People have believed multiple problems are linked to GMOs. For instance, “in 2013, the journal food and chemical toxicology retracted a paper linked to herbicide roundup and round up-tolerant GM corn to cancer and premature death in rats… they found researchers had used too few rats… and the results were inconclusive” (Colbert, par. 16). Since the researchers did not have enough evidence, the possibility of the problem being GMOs are

Genetically Modified Organism or GMO is an organism that has been altered genetically. There are many possibilities for altering an organism such as growing conditions, quantity, or even scientific breakthroughs. Many choose a side over this heated debate, whether GMOs are safe or if they are harmful to humans. Currently about two-thirds of all items in the supermarket is GMO(Corn The Miracle Crop). GMO promise increase crop yields, lower costs, and less herbicides and pesticides. Altering the organisms genetics could negatively affect the organism resulting in an unstable product. Researchers have found that an unstable product can result in poor crop production, decrease in nutritional value, toxic and

Whether Americans realize it or not, most of them consume genetically modified organisms every time they eat a snack or a meal. According to Robin Mather’s article “The Threats from Genetically Modified Foods”, “you’re eating genetically modified foods almost daily unless you grow all of the food or always buy organic” (Mather). This can be a scary thought for those who know about the numerous effects of GMOs or those who didn’t know what was in the food they’ve been ingesting for years. When Nielsen selected 1,200 Americans for a survey on GMOs for The Wall Street Journal, “61% of consumers had heard of GMOs and nearly half of those people said they avoid eating them” (Gasparro). The only difficulty with avoiding genetically modified organisms is that they make up approximately eighty percent of the ingredients used in processed foods that put together most of the regular American diet (Gasparro). The reason that genetically modified organisms are in most processed foods is because most processed foods contain corn or high fructose corn syrup that comes from genetically modified corn plants. Of all the corn, soybeans, sugar beet, and canola crops grown in the United States, over ninety percent of those crops are grown from genetically altered seeds (Gasparro). Ever since 1996, when genetically modified plants were first commercially grown for the public, the use of genetically modified seeds has been on a sharp increase (Charman). Although the use of genetically modified

(Visual aid)According to Mike Adams, author of an article for Huffington Post in 2012 titled New GMO Study: Rats Fed Lifetime of GM Corn Grow Tumors, in a study that has been labelled “the most thorough research ever published into the health effects of GM food crops,” researchers fed rats the same kind of GM corn that is used in our potato chips and corndogs, and measured the results against a control group over their lifetime. The researchers found that “The animals on the GM diet suffered mammary tumors, as well as severe liver and kidney damage. The researchers said 50 percent of males and 70 percent of females died prematurely, compared with only 30 percent and 20 percent in the

The film discusses Monsanto, a large multinational agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation, at length. The film mentions Roundup, a product produced by Monsanto, but doesn’t go into detail about the effect Roundup has on human health. “We started to hear rumblings about genetically engineered soybeans that could resist the application of Roundup, and when Roundup is sprayed over the top of it, it killed every weed out there except for this ‘Roundup ready’ soybean.” says a farmer that was interviewed for the film. The film continues to go in depth regarding how Roundup contaminates other farmer’s seeds and how Monsanto then sues the farmers for “stealing”, but the film never discusses the truly terrifying health problem GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms) can produce. Alexis Baden-Mayer, a woman who is a part of the Organic Consumers Association, said in an article for ecowatch.com that Roundup can create dozens of serious health problems. The health problems include ADHD, Alzheimer’s disease, Anencephaly, Autism, birth defects, brain cancer, breast cancer, celiac disease, chronic kidney disease, Colitis, depression, diabetes, heart disease, and many more. Focused too much on the politics of Monsanto, the film failed to explain the true concern involved with Monsanto’s

Monsanto is involved in a variety of ways,“The company produces the herbicide RoundUp, and also seeds whose genes have been engineered to survive RoundUp's active plant-killing ingredient. Now the vast majority of this country's soybeans, corn, sugar beets and canola possess those engineered genes,”(Boyle). Initially, this seems quite innocent, however, there’s no telling what kind of chemicals are being introduced into the food supply in order to allow these plants to survive. Also, sugar and corn are contained within almost every non organic product Americans consume, which means virtually everyone is ingesting these potentially harmful chemicals. Monsanto’s RoundUp resistant seeds should seem to be a farmer’s best friend, but it’s not always so simple, “As Rinehart would recall, the man began verbally attacking him, saying he had proof that Rinehart had planted Monsanto’s genetically modified (G.M.) soybeans in violation of the company’s patent. Better come clean and settle with Monsanto, Rinehart says the man told him—or face the consequences,”(Barlett). Simply dogmatic in his manner, the mysterious Monsanto man would not take no for an answer, even though later in the article Mr. Rinehart states that he isn’t a farmer and they have the wrong guy. Commonly referred to as seed police, even gestapo or mafia, this elite force of Monsanto maniacs are lifeless and drone-like in the sense that they will stop at nothing in order to obtain a profit, and if it’s the wrong person they’ll still use scare tactics to weasel cash out of innocent civilians. Saying that Monsanto is heavily involved in the production and distribution of genetically modified crops and seeds is a massive understatement, to demonstrate this,“In 1996 when Monsanto introduced RoundUp Ready Soybeans, the company controlled only 2% of the U.S. soybean market. Now, over 90% of

Monsanto’s is an agricultural biotechnology corporation. They are the producers of Roundup ready seeds, which are seeds that are not affected or killed by weed killer. Not only do they produce the seeds but they produce the herbicide Roundup as well that kills unwanted weeds and grass. These things seem like something every gardener would want. What could be better? Well Roundup is not all is thought to be. The herbicide Roundup has been linked to damaging liver and kidneys.

Local farmers ' organic crops can suffer from exposure to GMO seeds due to environmental elements such as wind that can transpose seeds, which ruins the natural element within the organic crop. Aside from this occurrence, when GMO seeds become too resistant to herbicides such as RoundUp Ready, an increase use of pesticides is needed to prevent insects from contaminating the product. (Indiana Journal...Brush). According to OCA, "RoundUp can be three times more toxic than pure glyphosate,"

Autism, a disease that increased alongside the growing use of Roundup, is a major concern for the American people. The United States has the highest rate in Autism in the world. Glyphosate again plays a major role in the large amount of cases. This was proven by a study conducted by Dr. Huber, a professor emeritus from Purdue University. Dr. Huber tested on rats being fed non-GMO then switched to GMO feed. At the beginning of the study when the rats were being fed organically made food were very passive and friendly but after a month of being fed GM food they became easily irritated and would not get along with one another. This proved that the psychological and behavioral well being of rats was affected by their food and they showed similar symptoms and behaviors to those diagnosed with Autism. In figure 1, the correlation between the increase of glyphosate and Autism is very clear. If America wants to decrease the amount of cases of Autism per year, the ban of GMOs would be very beneficial. It would also promote a healthier diet as organic food would increase in number and lower in price.

There has been a long debate concerning the safety of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), whether it imposes a risk not only to our environment, but also to our bodies when ingested over a long period of time. GMO corporations have debated against these topics and have desperately tried to convince consumers that their products are safe when in reality they do more harm than good. In a recent study by Dr. Oraby published through the Turkish Journal of Biology, found that albino rats on a genetically modified based diet showed significant damage to the liver, kidneys and reproductive system and showed abnormalities in just 90 days (267).

There has been a long debate concerning the safety of genetically modified organisms (GMOs); whether it imposes a risk not only to our environment and to our bodies when ingested over a long period of time. GMO corporations have debated against these topics and have desperately tried to convince consumers that their products are safe when in reality they do more harm than good. A study by Dr. Oraby published through the Turkish Journal of Biology, found that albino rats on a genetically modified based diet showed significant damage to the liver, kidneys and reproductive system, and showed abnormalities in just 90 days (267).