GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organisms and they’re in the news a lot these days. And there are many different opinions about whether they’re safe or not.
There’s a lot of controversy about GMO foods. Some scientists claim that eating them is perfectly fine. But the truth? The companies that create GMOs (and stand to profit from their sale) are the ones backing the studies that say GMOs are safe.
A lot of independent scientists don’t believe GMOs are safe. Even though the US and Canadian governments have approved GMOs, a lot of other countries ban them. Many countries have banned the growing of GMO crops, including many in the European Union, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. Other countries have restrictions on GMOs as well as labeling requirements.
And unless you’re taking conscious steps to avoid GMOs in your dog’s food, chances are he’s eating them, even if you’re feeding a homemade raw diet.
Keep reading to find out more about the safety of GMO foods and why they’re probably not a good thing.
What are GMOs?
Genetically modified organisms (or genetically engineered – it’s the same thing) are created when genes from the DNA of one species are extracted and artificially forced into the genes of another plant or animal.
Experts in favor of GMOs claim this is the same as cross breeding that’s been used for centuries, but it’s not.
Cross Breeding Vs Genetic Modification
Before we even get to cross breeding, let’s mention cross-pollination. That’s a completely natural process that happens when pollen is carried by the wind, insects or even water, and fertilizes another plant. The plants may be the same or sometimes different species.
Cross-breeding takes the natural process another step, with human intervention. Plant breeders choose specific “parent” plants for certain traits, and transfer the pollen to another plant to create offspring with attributes of both parents. These are often plants that couldn’t have crossed naturally – maybe from different regions or with different disease resistance traits. Cross-breeding is still a much more natural process than genetic modification.
In genetic modification, scientists take a single gene (or a small set of genes) and transfer it into a new genetic background to give the plant a completely new trait.
It sounds like it might be a good thing, but in practice, genetic modification is an artificial process that can affect foods’ nutritional values as well as their toxic and allergic effects. GM plants are often changed to be insect resistant, virus resistant, or herbicide tolerant, so there’s also an environmental impact.
Where Are GMOs?
Genetically modified crops include corn, soy, beets, canola, rice, potatoes, tomatoes, peas and alfalfa. You’ll recognize these as ingredients that are often in commercial pet foods. Experts say 70% of processed foods for humans contain GMO ingredients.
So, unless you’re feeding certified organic foods you can assume there are GMOs in your dog food. Even if the listed ingredients aren’t GMO, the animals used for the food’s meat ingredients probably ate GMO feed. And if you buy food at a grocery store to make your own raw dog food, the meat animal probably ate GMO ingredients too.
GMO Health Risks
There are significant health risks in eating GMO foods and quite a few studies have reported damage to organs.
- Several studies have shown that genetic modification can alter gut bacteria and how they behave in the digestive tract.
- The insecticide Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) in GM corn has been shown to damage kidney cells and can cause leaky gut syndrome in infants.
- Also, because the blood-brain barrier is not developed in newborns, toxins can enter the brain and cause serious cognitive problems. Some practitioners believe this is the mechanism for autism.
- A 2009 safety study by Dona et al found that GM foods can cause hepatic, pancreatic, renal, and reproductive effects and may alter hematological, biochemical, and immunologic parameters.
- A study by de Vendemois et al compared the effects of feeding three different types of GMO corn to rats for just 90 days. They found toxicity primarily in the liver and kidneys. They also noted side effects in the heart, adrenal glands, spleen and blood cells.
Health Issues From GMOs - There are many more studies, but in summary, GMO foods have been shown to cause:
- Liver damage
- Kidney damage
- Damage to other internal organs such as the pancreas and reproductive organs
- Changes in gut bacteria leading to leaky gut and immune system issues.
- Endocrine disruption
- Immune system damage
- Digestive disorders
- Skin and food allergies
- Cancer
- Cognitive issues
- Autism (translating to behavior issues in dogs)