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In reply to the discussion: The anti-GMO movement is nothing but a pseudoscientific scam. [View all]cpwm17
(3,829 posts)124. I go with the scientists.
They are the experts in the field:
The American Association for the Advancement of Science:
http://www.aaas.org/sites/default/files/AAAS_GM_statement.pdf
There are several current efforts to require labeling of foods containing products derived from genetically modified crop plants, commonly known as GM crops or GMOs. These efforts are not driven by evidence that GM foods are actually dangerous. Indeed, the science is quite clear: crop improvement by the modern molecular techniques of biotechnology is safe. Rather, these initiatives are driven by a variety of factors, ranging from the persistent perception that such foods are somehow unnatural and potentially dangerous to the desire to gain competitive advantage by legislating attachment of a label meant to alarm. Another misconception used as a rationale for labeling is that GM crops are untested
The US National Academy of Sciences:
http://articles.latimes.com/2012/oct/24/science/la-sci-gmo-food-safety-20121025
But among scientists, there is widespread agreement that such crops aren't dangerous. The plants, they say, are as safe as those generated for centuries by conventional breeding and, in the 20th century, by irradiating plant material, exposing it to chemical mutagens or fusing cells together to produce plants with higher grain yields, resistance to frost and other desirable properties. Now they want to insert other genes into plants to make them more nutritious, resistant to drought or able to capture nitrogen from the air so they require less fertilizer, among other useful traits.
"There's no mystery here," said UCLA plant geneticist Bob Goldberg. "When you put a gene into a plant ... it behaves exactly like any other gene."
"There's no mystery here," said UCLA plant geneticist Bob Goldberg. "When you put a gene into a plant ... it behaves exactly like any other gene."
The American Medical Association
http://gmopundit.blogspot.com/2012/06/american-medical-association-opposes.html
During a conference in Chicago, AMA's House of Delegates also adopted a report reaffirming there is no evidence that the genetic modification process presents any unique safety issues and recognizing the potential benefits of the technology.
The council's decision to oppose labeling comes amid California's consideration of legislation that would require genetically modified foods sold in grocery stores to be labeled. Beyond its potential to create unnecessary alarm for consumers, a review by the independent state legislative analyst points out the measure would cost the state and its taxpayers millions of dollars to implement and to pay for lawsuits.
The AMA report is consistent with the findings of a majority of respected scientists, medical professionals and health experts. As the AMA has cited previously, a highly regarded 1987 National Academy of Sciences white paper states there is no evidence that genetically modified foods pose any health risks. The report also reaffirms the council's policy recommendation in a December 2000 report stating "there is no scientific justification for special labeling of genetically modified foods."
Additionally, there have been more than 300 independent medical studies on the health and safety of genetically modified foods. The World Health Organization, the National Academy of Sciences, the American Medical Association and many others have reached the same determination that foods made using GM ingredients are safe, and in fact are substantially equivalent to conventional alternatives. As a result, the FDA does not require labels on foods with genetically modified ingredients because it acknowledges they may mislead consumers into thinking there could be adverse health effects, which has no basis in scientific evidence.
The council's decision to oppose labeling comes amid California's consideration of legislation that would require genetically modified foods sold in grocery stores to be labeled. Beyond its potential to create unnecessary alarm for consumers, a review by the independent state legislative analyst points out the measure would cost the state and its taxpayers millions of dollars to implement and to pay for lawsuits.
The AMA report is consistent with the findings of a majority of respected scientists, medical professionals and health experts. As the AMA has cited previously, a highly regarded 1987 National Academy of Sciences white paper states there is no evidence that genetically modified foods pose any health risks. The report also reaffirms the council's policy recommendation in a December 2000 report stating "there is no scientific justification for special labeling of genetically modified foods."
Additionally, there have been more than 300 independent medical studies on the health and safety of genetically modified foods. The World Health Organization, the National Academy of Sciences, the American Medical Association and many others have reached the same determination that foods made using GM ingredients are safe, and in fact are substantially equivalent to conventional alternatives. As a result, the FDA does not require labels on foods with genetically modified ingredients because it acknowledges they may mislead consumers into thinking there could be adverse health effects, which has no basis in scientific evidence.
Perhaps you know more than they do.
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Saying that the reasons behind all GM's is the same, or the producers are the same or that
Erich Bloodaxe BSN
Aug 2015
#42
I imagine if you talked to various anti-GM protesters out in the world
Erich Bloodaxe BSN
Aug 2015
#47
And being piled on, wanting to know what monesto is paying me for daring to support medical GMOs.
Lancero
Aug 2015
#50
Hear about the anti-gmo group that tried to scare diabetics into not using insulin?
Lancero
Aug 2015
#81
Even that doesn't make sense, they always cite Agent Orange and the actions of the government...
Humanist_Activist
Aug 2015
#106
Monsanto is devoted to turning everyting into agribusiness, and then dominating that.
eridani
Aug 2015
#170
What does this post even mean? Monsanto is a for profit company, they are rather...
Humanist_Activist
Aug 2015
#193
the issue of the actual science is quite different from the marketing issue
virtualobserver
Aug 2015
#2
I have no reason to believe or disbelieve your supposed scientific FACT.....
virtualobserver
Aug 2015
#29
Imposing unnecessary government regulation to increase one industry's market share...
Major Nikon
Aug 2015
#152
Sure, because unnecessary government regulation is what the left is all about
Major Nikon
Aug 2015
#179
No, you just claimed I was right wing because I don't support stupid chemophobic regulation
Major Nikon
Aug 2015
#208
That's it! The OP seems to lump legitimate criticism and overzealous labelers into one category. n/t
Betty Karlson
Sep 2015
#236
It's fine by me. People want to know what they are eating regardless of whether Monsanto
GoneFishin
Aug 2015
#3
Then companies can label their products as GMO free for people that are into that stuff.
cpwm17
Aug 2015
#45
Dr Charles Benbrook found that organic foods had higher antioxidant levels and lower cadmium
GreatGazoo
Aug 2015
#51
Way to ignore the full results of a researcher who has been debunked over and over again.
HuckleB
Aug 2015
#138
Likewise the organic industry should have no problem with "fertilized with cow shit" labels
Major Nikon
Aug 2015
#155
Wow, is everything a conspiracy to you? Your tinfoil hat is on a little too tight.
Humanist_Activist
Aug 2015
#24
I guess he could go for guilt by association, I'm born and raised in St. Louis after all. n/t
Humanist_Activist
Aug 2015
#99
It's annoying how the anti-GMO crowd pretends to be as knowledgeable as scientists.
Oneironaut
Aug 2015
#131
Science relies on logic. Conflating the 93% of american who want GMO foods labelled with the 7% who
GreatGazoo
Aug 2015
#159
What's REALLY "so damn pathetic" is DUers shilling for multinational corporations who want
scarletwoman
Aug 2015
#33
Myth 4: Before Monsanto got in the way, farmers typically saved their seeds and re-used them
Major Nikon
Aug 2015
#92
Voluntary, albeit disingenuous, labeling and mandatory labeling are two different things
Major Nikon
Aug 2015
#115
Some of what you brought up are valid concerns, they have nothing to do with GMOs...
Humanist_Activist
Aug 2015
#68
That's a straw man. No one is asking for salt to be labeled GMO-free. We are asking for the opposite:
pnwmom
Aug 2015
#39
Thank you for revealing your "pro-free market," climate denial, Koch colors so clearly!
pnwmom
Aug 2015
#126
Mine is completely honest. I don't trust Koch- funded "debunkers" and climate science deniers,
pnwmom
Aug 2015
#137
I understand that when corporations are the ones doing the funding, the "science"
pnwmom
Aug 2015
#144
So if you reject Seralini because of his connections, why don't you reject all the research
pnwmom
Sep 2015
#244
Glad you asked. The answer is because that would be completely fucking stupid.
Major Nikon
Sep 2015
#250
And in the process deligitamize such concerns, similar to how some anti-vaxxers have...
Humanist_Activist
Aug 2015
#65
Ever notice how those who get their feathers ruffled over this use words like 'poison' and 'toxic'
Major Nikon
Aug 2015
#67
99% of the pesticides we ingest are produced in plant DNA. And that goes for organics, too.
Nailzberg
Aug 2015
#149
I agree, but the seperate issue of labeling food and transparency by a private corporation
Rex
Aug 2015
#113
I do not make a case that GMO's are evil and should have a scarlet letter/should be banned.
KamaAina
Aug 2015
#117
Yep, was just covering chemical mutagens since grapefruit was in another reply. (nt)
jeff47
Sep 2015
#247
Europeans are more inclined to fall for bad health and medical science than Americans.
cpwm17
Aug 2015
#161
There are no commercially available GMO food crops that have been spliced with animal DNA
Major Nikon
Aug 2015
#182
Indeed. it's stunning and scary to see so many people for the anti-GMO deceptions.
HuckleB
Aug 2015
#121
Perhaps those DUers who have lost loved ones to GMO foods could weigh in? (nt)
Nye Bevan
Aug 2015
#140
You are quite literally spouting bullshit, what GMO grass seed? Seriously, what the fuck are you...
Humanist_Activist
Aug 2015
#194
No, more like Climate Change "Skepticism" is pseudoscience. The reverse of your claim. n/t
Humanist_Activist
Aug 2015
#195
But poisoning the planet with toxic pesticides and herbicides required for gmos is A-okay?!
Dont call me Shirley
Aug 2015
#198
Uhm, that has nothing to do with GMOs, but rather industrial farming in general.
Humanist_Activist
Aug 2015
#209
GMOs have reduced pesticide use, and allowed for the use of less toxic herbicides.
HuckleB
Aug 2015
#216
These pesticide and herbicide dependent gmos are creating superweeds and superbugs.
Dont call me Shirley
Aug 2015
#218
Ah, Seralini in another pay for play journal and a post that is nothing but a distraction.
HuckleB
Aug 2015
#224
So... you're all fine and dandy with cross-pollination between organic and GMOs?
sakabatou
Aug 2015
#169
Sure, because there's nothing more anti-democrat than agreeing with your government
Major Nikon
Aug 2015
#191
There's also a big profit to be made by scaring you into buying more expensive crops.
jeff47
Aug 2015
#206
I would say most of them are just ignorant of biology, though its frustrating trying to debate...
Humanist_Activist
Aug 2015
#196
When someone throws around words like "poison", "toxic", and "cancer causing"....
Major Nikon
Sep 2015
#233
Science is a systematic approach to knowledge that can be applied for just about anything
eridani
Sep 2015
#266
All science is political, period. There is no good reason for ramping up glyphosate at all
eridani
Sep 2015
#280
Requiring 100 calories or more of input for every calorie of output is just not efficient
eridani
Sep 2015
#286
Let's see your link showing that we get more calories out ofhigh input farming
eridani
Sep 2015
#288
Sure. That's why when I full up my car at the gas pump the meter reads in calories.
Major Nikon
Sep 2015
#297
The war against genetically modified organisms is full of fearmongering, errors, and fraud.
HuckleB
Sep 2015
#276
Praise GMO's, especially if you love carcinogens in your food, air, and rainfall.
L. Coyote
Sep 2015
#300