A recent study has found that genetically modified food is linked to organ damage in rats. The study published in the International Journal of Biological Sciences found that genetically modified corn produced by Monsanto “induce a state of hepatorenal toxicity.”
Monsanto is a seed producing and chemical company with a rich history of controversy. There have been allegations of intimidating farmers, using hostile tactics to monopolize the market, false advertising, producing large-scale international pollution. In addition, they manufactured Agent Orange for the U.S. military during the Vietnam war.
This month, Monsanto also was dealt a legal blow as the U.S. Supreme Court decided to take up a patent case on their alfalfa seed. In short, the company manufactured an alfalfa resistant to the Monsanto produced Roundup herbicide. Bees will pollinate the genetically modified alfalfa and then cross pollinate it with organic crops adding the genetic modification to the organic alfalfa. Organic farmers will then lose their USDA organic certifications. Since Monsanto also has a patent on the genetic modification, the company can sue any farmer for stealing their property, and they do.
Although the study last week only indicated that genetically modified corn was linked to organ damage, this is the first study to link genetically modified food to toxic reactions. Further studies may indicate other genetic modified food may have an impact on human health. Considering alfalfa is a main source of cattle feed and the genetic modification has a potential to spread quickly and dominate the alfalfa market, if the genetically modified alfalfa is hazardous to human health, the Supreme Court decision may be crucial to public health.
Reforming the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the regulatory roles they have over our food is crucial to both public health and the farming industry. Allowing monopolistic corporations to put small farmers out of business over plant genetics and potentially causing us all harm with these modifications should not be tolerated.
By Emma Sandoe