1. CONSUMER ALERT
Genetically Modified Foods and Health Risks
Genetic Modification or problems, what
Genetic Engineering ingredient provoked the
extracts genes bearing a reaction.
specific, hereditary trait
from one organism Antibiotic Resistance
(animals, plants, The British Medical
bacteria) and artificially Tomatoes are among the foods Association has called
inserts them into a being genetically modified. attention to the risk to
completely different human health from
organism (e.g. food antibiotic resistance
crops). The main causes for developing in micro-
concern to human health organisms, and that this
Currently, crops such as from Genetically will be a major threat in
corn, soyabean, Modified Foods (GMF) the future.
potatoes, and tomatoes are adverse allergic
are the main crops reactions, build-up of Also, although the use
being grown from resistance to antibiotics of antibiotic resistance
genetic engineering. and the potential for genes as markers is
new, or more toxins in being phased out, they
How can consumers foods. are present in many GM
identify GM foods and foods and can increase
how can you avoid Food allergies resistance to antibiotics,
them? making disease harder to
Genetic Modification control.
In the absence of can transfer allergies
labelling, it is very from foods people know Toxic Effects
difficult. According to cause allergies to foods
Greenpeace, GM soya is they think are safe. Genetic manipulation
present in about 60 Failure to label can increase levels of
percent of all soy Genetically Modified natural plant toxins in
derivatives including Foods means that foods or create new
vegetable oils, soy flour, people with allergies toxins in unexpected
lecithin, and soy protein. have no way of knowing ways.
GM corn can be found whether they are eating
in 50 percent of all corn potentially risky foods, (Source: consumers
products and foods. or in the event of International)
made from corn, such as Genetically Modified
cornstarch, cornflakes Foods and Health Risks
Contact us at: (876) 926-1650-2 (Head Office) or (876) 940-6154 (Montego Bay
Office)

2. Our Food, Whose Choice?
... Consumers Take Action!
KEEPING CONSUMERS INFORMED
BOTH SIDES OF THE GM DEBATE
Those against GM foods say.... 7. GM foods are bad for farmers.
They can lead to more intensive
1. GM foods contain genes from farming, forcing more small farmers
totally different species, e.g. fish genes out of business.
in tomatoes for longer ‘shelf life’. Those in support of GM foods say...
2. GM foods may endanger health. There are benefits to expect in the
There has been no research into the future:
long-term effects of eating such foods.
1. Foods with a higher content of
3. GM foods are unnecessary. vitamins, minerals, or protein.
Countries with food shortages cannot
benefit, as farmers will not be able to 2. Fruits and vegetables which stay
afford the new seeds, which are under fresh longer.
monopoly control of huge
multinational companies. 3. Crops resistant to insect attack
which don’t require spraying.
4. GM foods deny consumer choice.
They are not properly labelled so that 4. Hardier crops that are drought or
we may know if our foods contain frost tolerant and better adapted to
GMOs difficult growing conditions
(genetically modified organisms).
5. Eliminating allergy causing
5. GMOs can spread into other crops. problems from foods such as peanuts
Pollen from GM crops can spread and rice
modified genes into other crops and
weeds. 6. Healthier cooking oils from soy,
canola and plants to reduce saturated
6. GM foods are a threat to wildlife. fat content
They are designed to be resistant to
herbicides & pesticides (made by the 7. Low fat chips which absorb less
companies that developed GM foods) oil.
so
farmers use more sprays to eliminate 8. Quicker diagnosis of diseases in
weeds and pests. plants.
Contact us at: (876) 926-1650-2 (Head Office) or (876) 940-6154 (Montego Bay
Office)

3. 9. Foods better suited to the
nutritional needs of both humans and
animals.
Contact us at: (876) 926-1650-2 (Head Office) or (876) 940-6154 (Montego Bay
Office)