Dr. Chris Jones Health 360

Why Aren’t American Consumers Being Protected?

by Chris Jones on January 21, 2012

Updated List

1. Genetically modified foods and animal produce raised on GM feed must be labeled in European Union countries. Why not in the USA?

http://www.drgreene.com/blog/2003/07/25/genetically-modified-food-europe

2. The practice of adding antibiotics to animal feed in order to promote growth has been banned in European Union countries since 2006. Why is it still permissible in the United States?

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/1687&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN

3. European nations and Canada have banned the use of genetically modified bovine growth hormone (rBGH) which stimulates the production of milk containing increased levels of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1). High concentrations of IGF-1 in human serum are associated with an increased risk of breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancers. Why is the use of rBGH not banned in the USA?

http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/general/milk.htm

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(02)00731-3/abstract

4. Chemical companies are now being required to prove that their products are safe before releasing them for commercial use in Europe. Why not in the USA?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/11/AR2008061103569.html

5. The inclusion of phthalates, industrial chemicals used as solvents, is banned in deodorants, hair sprays, nail polishes and perfumes in European Union countries. Why not in the USA?

http://environment.about.com/od/healthenvironment/a/phthalates.htm

6. Direct marketing of prescription drugs to consumers is banned in almost every country. Why not in the USA?

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Direct-to-consumer_advertising
http://www.clinicalcorrelations.org/?p=2867

Why are Americans not being protected? Ask the politicians in Washington D.C.

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Which Crops Are Genetically Modified?

by Chris Jones on December 20, 2011

Genetic modification is radically different from using plant breeding techniques to select out particular traits such as disease resistance. In genetic modification, genes from bacteria and viruses are introduced into plant cells in the laboratory and this process can cause significant collateral damage to the plant’s biochemistry, so much so that some animals can detect the changes and refuse to eat the genetically modified (GM) produce (1).

Which Crops Are Genetically Modified?

There are presently nine crops grown in the U.S. where some of the produce is GM and these are soybeans, corn, cottonseed, canola, alfalfa, sugar beet, Hawaiian papaya, yellow crookneck squash and zucchini. Approximately 86% of all the corn and 93% of all the soybean, cottonseed and canola currently grown in the U.S. are now GM. Also, 95% of all the sugar beet planted is GM. Recently, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) deregulated genetically- engineered alfalfa, which is commonly used in cattle feed.

In approximately 68% of GM crops, bacterial genes are inserted that enable the plants to resist the weed killer Roundup. As a result, farmers can spray these crops heavily to destroy unwanted competition while the crop survives and thrives, albeit contaminated with herbicide.

Another 19% of GM crops have a gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) inserted that results in the production of Bt toxin, an insecticide. So the modified crops now produce their own insecticide. The remaining 13% of GM crops produce both an insecticide and are also herbicide tolerant.

So How Can We Avoid GM Foods?

1) Buy produce that is certified 100% organic.
2) Purchase produce labeled “Non-GMO” or “Made without Genetically Modified Ingredients.”
3) Avoid the high-risk crops; soybeans, corn, cottonseed, canola and sugar beet and products derived from them unless they specifically state that they are organic or non-GMO.
4) Purchase from vendors such as Trader Joe’s who guarantee that produce bearing their label is non-GMO.
5) Download the free Non-GMO Shopping Guide.

Reference

1) Smith, J. M. (2009) Video: Everything You Have To Know About Dangerous Genetically Modified Foods. http://www.responsibletechnology.org/GMFree/Home/index.cfm

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Give Thanks and Stay Healthy

November 10, 2011

As we approach Thanksgiving, this uniquely North American holiday, the nation gives thanks and commemorates the deliverance of the early settlers and the success of their first harvest. Thanksgiving is a time of great feasting, probably the greatest feast of the year, when families come together and sit down to the traditional, rich Thanksgiving dinner, [...]

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