Organic Food: Actually Organic, Genetically Modified or Factory Raised?

Let’s politely ask our large, local grocery stores to help us with this one.

Clear labeling and factual information about where and how our food is grown should not be such a struggle. It should be our right to choose what we eat.

The truth is, the companies that produce GM products and the pesticides they are engineered for, do not test for safety on humans, animals or the environment. However, the people that ARE researching GMO and pesticides are our Doctors and Professors, Universities and Medical Centers. WE NEED TO LISTEN TO THE PREOFESSOINALS.

The Organic Consumers Association presents that:

Up to 90% of U.S. soybeans, corn, cotton, canola, and sugar beets are now
genetically engineered and routinely inserted into human and animal foods.

Approximately 80% of current grocery food items contain GMOs; while
according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics, the majority of beef,
pork, poultry, dairy, and eggs come from AFOs (Animal Feeding Operations).

According to the US EPA 

Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs): are agricultural operations where animals are kept and raised in confined situations. AFOs congregate animals, feed, manure and urine, dead animals, and production operations on a small land area. Feed is brought to the animals rather than the animals grazing or otherwise seeking feed in pastures, fields, or on rangeland.

Your operation is an AFO if:

• You confine animals for at least 45 days in a 12-month period, and

• There's no grass or other vegetation in the confinement area during the normal growing season
Genetically Modified Crops: Insect Resistance and Non-target Effects

However, the environmental benefits of these novel crops need to be balanced against their potential environmental harm. Therefore, unintended negative environmental impacts of Bt-crops need to be evaluated at ecologically relevant scales to ensure the environmental safety and benefits of this new technology. The U.S. EPA needs to continue to ensure the environmental safety of these crops as their use expands and new varieties of Bt-crops are commercialized.

So, although the US EPA website shows concern that the safety and effects of GMO should be tested and studied, they are not thus far even though many are currently grown and used.

Let’s strengthen the GRASS FED notion for healthier meats on every plate.

‘In former lean times politicians promised “a chicken in every pot;” those campaigning in the near future will do well to promise a lamb on every lawn, chicken in every lot.’

Backyard Livestock by Steven Thomas (1976) The Countryman Press

The most impressive fact that tells me it is time for us to take control over our food industry is older books. I am now finding, receiving and reading books from the 70s and 80’s that warned then about the problems and concerns Americans should have for our food and the way it is created. Although these books may not be new to many of you, they are cherished by me as relics of real Americans.

Let me quote from one of my newest library additions which is thoroughly researched and well put together.

    “The problem of producing sufficient food is complex and many-faceted. There are no easy solutions. However, it has become obvious that modern agribusiness with its impressive arsenal of insecticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, monstrous machinery and large, specialized farms is not the ultimate answer we once thought it was.

    The inability to produce and distribute adequate quantities of food is not the only shortcoming of agricultural technology. In many cases production methods are depleting soil fertility and polluting our land, water and air at a dangerous rate, the quality of some of its products is questionable and vast numbers of small famers are being strangled.”

Raising the Home Duck Flock by Dave Holderread 1978 Garden Way Publishing/Storey Communications, Inc. Printed in the US by Edwards Brother 1989

Mind you this was in 1978. Why didn’t we get the point then? The research mounting about large “specialized” corporations and the negative affects they are causing to us, our animals, our environment and the American reputation should no longer be ignored.


Although I’m sure I could convince you in person that pesticides are dangerous, genetically engineered food has just as shoddy testing and you should sign my petition, I’m going to have to rely on the internet once again for gathering some concerned citizens.

I can’t help but dream about a healthy and productive America.

Living the dream of a healthier tomorrow too?
Contact your grocery stores big and small. Start Here.
Sign my petition which is an online version of the Organic Consumers Association’s GMO & Factory Farm Truth-In-Labeling Petition

Image From: http://athleteoctane.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/crop_duster_mtopper.jpg

HAEMATO-BIOCHEMICAL AND IMMUNO-PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF CHRONIC TOXICITY WITH SYNTHETIC PYRETHROID, ORGANOPHOSPHATE AND CHLORINATED PESTICIDES IN BROILER CHICKS Garg U.K. et al., International Immunopharmacology, 4(13):1709-1722 (2004)

This study examined the results of low level pesticide exposure to broiler chicks. Results include atrophy/hypoplasia of the thymus and spleen. As well as hemoraging of the thymus. The results lead authors to believe that “the chronic exposure of chicks to small amount of synthetic pyrethroid (SP), organophosphate (OP) and chlorinated pesticides (CH) leads to deleterious effects on metabolism and immune system of birds.”

NICOTINOID AND PYRETHROID INSECTICIDE RESISTANCE IN HOUSEFLIES (DIPTERA: MUSCIDAE) COLLECTED FROM FLORIDA DAIRIES. Kaufman PE et al., Pest Management Science. 66(3):290-2944 (2010)

Populations of houseflies in Florida have been found to have substantial resistance to nicotinoid and pyrethroids, due to the overutilization of these insecticides. Resistance to pyrethroids is commonly found in Florida where a great deal of spraying occurs. According to the authors, “Imidacloprid resistance is emerging, and tolerance was observed to both imidacloprid and nithiazine.” These findings raise concern on the overuse of several insecticides in our dairy farms and concerns for residues in our milk.

LEVELS OF ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDES RESIDUES IN DAIRY PRODUCTS IN KUMASI, GHANA Darko G. and Acquaah S.O. Chemosphere, 71(2):294-298 (2008)

This study finds pesticide residues in milk, cheese and yogurt of six communities in Kumasi, Ghana. This study suggests that an accumulation of pesticide residues may pose problems in humans and effective monitoring of residues in the environment is needed.

REPEATED DOSE 28-DAY ORAL TOXICITY STUDY IN WISTAR RATS WITH A MIXTURE OF FIVE PESTICIDES OFTEN FOUND AS RESIDUES IN FOOD: ALPHACYPERMETHRIN, BROMOPROPYLATE, CARBENDAZIM, CHLORPYRIFOS AND MANCOZEB Jacobsen H. et al., Food and Chemical Toxicology, 42(8):1269-1277 (2004)

The study examines the effects of five pesticides commonly found in our food. The study was conducted on a repeated 28 day oral dose cycle, finding toxicity in Wistar rats. The authors observed the following effects to the pesticide combinations as ingested by the rats: a series of considerable physical changes including: hypertrophy of central liver cells as well as increased weight, decreased thymus weight, and increased thyroid gland weight. The white blood cell count decreased, and “red blood cell count, haematocrite and haemoglobin concentration was significantly reduced.” The authors suggest that further studies should be made to determine effects of individual and combinations of pesticides.

DEATH OF THE BEES GMO CROPS AND THE DECLINE OF BEE COLONIES IN NORTH AMERICA Brit Amos/Global Research Staff 25 March (2008)

Summary: This article states that there is obvious proof that the ingestion of GMO proteins is one of the major reasons behind colony collapse disorder in bees. This pertains to the digestive shutdown (inability to pass foreign genetic agricultural matter i.e. fecal) that is taking place within the honey bees. And there are some dramatic parallels with the difficulty human beings might be experiencing with a GMO diet that could be compromising not only a person's immune system as evidenced by a substantial rise in colon cancer.

Say NO to Genetically Modified Alfalfa and Roundup

Especially when it has not been properly researched or tested for health or environmental impacts. Please help me in not letting GE plants be as easily registered as pesticides and "approved" before any proof of safety is even had. Our heritage plants will thank you!

If you have animals then you know how important this forage crop is.

Visit the Northeastern Organic Farming Association for an idea on how to help. 

Contact the white house www.whitehouse.gov/contact and voice your concerns

Contact USDA/APHIS who is pressuring the USDA to approve the use of Monsanto's Genetically Engineered (GE) Roundup Ready ™ Alfalfa in time for Spring planting
Email: biotechquery@aphis.usda.gov or call 1-301-851-2300 and record your comments

GE Alfalfa or Roundup/Glyphosate ready alfalfa?...

In the year 2000, the U.S. used 18 million pounds of glyphosate. How about we do not support the use of more?

Glyphosphate, herbicide, and the active ingredient in Roundup, has demonstrated cancer, nervous system damage, kidney and liver damage and effects on the reproductive system. 

According to French researchers Nora Benachor and Gilles Eric Sellini, of the University of Caen, diluted Roundup, which contains glyphosate, causes death of cells of human umbilical cords, embryos, and placenta.

NOT CONVINCED?????

GLYPHOSATE. Cox Caroline. Journal of Pesticide Reform, 2004. Vol. 24 (4).

Glyphosate herbicides are the most commonly used herbicides in the world. They have been proven to cause cancer, birth problems, and disorders in children. Glyphosate herbicides also cause genetic damage in aquatic life due to its ability to drift from the application site into water sources.

EFFECTS OF ROUNDUP AND GLYPHOSATE FORMULATIONS ON INTRACELLULAR TRANSPORT, MICROTUBULES AND ACTIN FILAMENTS IN XENOPUS LAEVIS MELANOPHORES
Hedberg D., Wallin M. Toxicology in Vitro. 2010, 24(3):795-802

Results of this study show that glyphosate compounds inhibit intracellular transport but are pH-dependent. However the surfactants of Roudup increase the permeability of cell membranes allowing uptake of chemical substances at normal physiological pH. Therefore the surfactant ingredients of chemical formulations should be considered when regulations are proposed.

GLYPHOSATE FORMULATIONS INDUCE APOPTOSIS AND NECROSIS IN HUMAN UMBILICAL, EMBRYONIC AND PLACENTAL CELLS. Benachour, N, et al. 2009. Chemical Research in Toxicology 22(1):97-105

A landmark toxicological study on the various formulations of glyphosate (Roundup) found that in even using dilute levels of active and inactive ingredients, cell death occurred within 18 or 24 hours in human umbilical, embryonic and placental cells. The authors from the University of Caen, France suggested further dilution and stricter monitoring standards. In important findings, they discover that most glyphosate-based pesticides endanger fetal health.

HERBICIDE FACTSHEET: GLYPHOSATE (ROUNDUP). Caroline Cox, Journal of Pesticide Reform, Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, 1998.

“Glyphosate-containing products are acutely toxic to animals, including humans. Symptoms include eye and skin irritation, headache, nausea, numbness, elevated blood pressure, and heart palpitations. The surfactant used in a common glyphosate product (Roundup) is more acutely toxic than glyphosate itself the combination of the two is yet more toxic.”

OXIDATIVE STRESS RESPONSES OF RATS EXPOSED TO ROUNDUP AND ITS ACTIVE INGREDIENT GLYPHOSATE El-Shenawy N.S. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology. 2009, 28(3):379-385

This study examined cytotoxicity of Roundup and its fundamental substance glyphosate. “The results suggest that excessive antioxidant disruptor and oxidative stress is induced with Roundup” rather “than glyphosate.”

THE EFFECT OF SUB-ACUTE AND SUB-CHRONIC EXPOSURE OF RATS TO THE GLYPHOSATE-BASED HERBICIDE ROUNDUP Çağlar S., Kolankaya D. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology. 2008, 25(1):57-62

The effect of Roundup in the liver of rats was tested in the study. Liver damage was measured by biochemical markers and an investigation of liver tissue histopathologically. Mild effects on liver enzyme activities were found: concluding that Roundup induces hepatic toxicity.

INFLUENCE OF GLYPHOSATE AND ITS FORMULATION (ROUNDUP®) ON THE TOXICITY AND BIOAVAILABILITY OF METALS TO CERIODAPHNIA DUBIA. Tsui M., Wang W. and Chu L.M. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION 138(1):59-68 (2005) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15878796

The adverse chemical affects between glyphosate and availability of heavy metal to freshwater crustacean, Ceriodaphnia dubia (water flea) were examined in the study. In this accumulative study it was found that the uptake of some metals, including silver, was halted while others, like mercury, increased notably. These authors from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, “strongly suggests that glyphosate and its commercial formulations can control the toxicity as well as the bioavailability of heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems where both groups of chemicals can co-occur.”

NEW EVIDENCES OF ROUNDUP (A (R)) (GLYPHOSATE FORMULATION) IMPACT ON THE PERIPHYTON COMMUNITY AND THE WATER QUALITY OF FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS. Vera MS, et al., ECOTOXICOLOGY 19(4): 710-724 (2010) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20091117

This study found that Roundup (A (R)) significantly increases the total phosphorus in freshwater systems leading to eutrophication, (“the gradual increase in the concentration of phosphorus, nitrogen, and other plant nutrients” ) and a shift in the water typology. Roundup also delayed the colonization of periphytic organism colonization (consult diagram on previous page). The eleven authors of this study conlude: “Based on our findings it is clear that agricultural practices that involve the use of herbicides such as Roundup affect non-target organisms and the water quality, modifying the structure and functionality of freshwater ecosystems.”

LOW TOXIC HERBICIDE ROUNDUP INDUCES MILD OXIDATIVE STRESS IN GOLDFISH TISSUES Lushchak OV. Et al., Chemosphere, 76(7):932-937 (2009) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19450865

The formula used in Roundup contains glyphosate as the active ingredient and polyethoxylene as one of the additives. This study was conducted to determine the severity of toxicity of Roundup in the environment where it may accumulate and persist for a long time. Even though glyphosate is considered to be low toxic to animals by the WHO, this was the first study of this nature conducted on goldfish exposed to Roundup.

Results found that Roundup suppressed four major enzymes and enzyme groups in fish tissues. These enzymes are responsible for cell repair, detoxification, and protection of the red blood cells against oxidative damage. For example the enzymes responsible for cell repair, superoxide dismutase (SOD), “activities were reduced by 51-68% in brain, 58-67% in liver and 33-53% in kidney of Roundup treated fish.”

BIOACCUMULATION OF GLYPHOSATE AND ITS FORMULATION ROUNDUP ULTRA IN LUMBRICULUS VARIEGATUS AND ITS EFFECTS ON BIOTRANSFORMATION AND ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES. Contardo-Jara V., Klingelmann E., Wiegand C. Environmental Pollution. 2009, 157(1):57-63 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2008.07.027

This study tests the “effects on biotransformation and antioxidant enzymes” on one type of worm, Lumbriculus variegates. Results of this study add to growing concern that it is the Roundup formulation that is more toxic to this organism than simply the active ingredient, glyphosate.

LARVAL RESPONSES OF THREE MIDWESTERN ANURANS TO CHRONIC, LOW-DOSE EXPOSURES OF FOUR HERBICIDES. Williams BK and Semlitsch RD, Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 58(3):819-827 (2010) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19768486

This study exposed three common species of tadpoles to conservative levels of atrazine, S-metolachlor, and glyphosate (end-use herbicides) throughout the larval period. The glyphosate product Roundup WeatherMax(A (R)) resulted in 80% mortality of western chorus frog tadpoles and lengthened the larval period for American toads.

By the way. The EPA is releasing a new "List of Chemicals Evaluated for Carcinogenic Potential" sometime next week.  Or so they say.  Do not forget to ask for a copy of this cancer causing pesticide list!! http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/carlist/