LA JOLLA CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH CENTER
La Jolla Chiropractic Health Center
    THE POTENTIAL DANGERS OF CONSUMING
      GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS


While scientific progress and recent technological breakthroughs in the agricultural field have appeared to have many
profoundly beneficial effects with respect to creating more plentiful and hardy crops, these breakthroughs may have come at
a high cost.  The following excerpts from various authors look at some of the dangers in consuming genetically modified
foods which you may not have been aware of... for example, some experts have found that, despite their outward appearance,
many genetically modified foods contain only 2/3 or less of  their original nutirient content!


Because all living organisms are highly complex, genetic engineers cannot possibly predict all of the effects of introducing
new genes into them. This is the case for even the simplest bacteria, not to mention more complex plants and animals.

This is because the introduced gene may act differently when working within its new host the original genetic intelligence of
the host will be disrupted the new combination of the host genes and the introduced gene will have unpredictable effects;
and therefore there is no way of knowing the overall, long-term effect of genetically engineered foods on the health of those
who eat them.

Unnatural gene transfers from one species to another are dangerous.  Biotechnology companies erroneously claim that their
manipulations are similar to natural genetic changes or traditional breeding techniques.  However, the cross-species
transfers being made, such as between fish and tomatoes, or between other unrelated species, would not happen in nature
and may create new toxins, diseases, and weaknesses.  In this risky experiment, the general public is the guinea-pig.
Biotechnology companies also claim their methods are precise and sophisticated.  In fact, the process of inserting genes is
quite random and can damage normal genes.  Genetic research shows that many weaknesses in plants, animals, and
humans have their origin in tiny imperfections in the genetic code.  Therefore, the random damage resulting from gene
insertion will inevitably result in side-effects and accidents.  Scientists have assessed these risks to be substantial.

Palmiter, R.D. et al (1986) ANNUAL REVIEW OF GENETICS 20: 465; Inose, T. et al (1995) INT. JOUR. FOOD SCIENCE TECH. 30:141.

When genetic engineers insert a new gene into any organism there are "position effects" which can lead to unpredictable
changes in the pattern of gene expression and genetic function.  The protein product of the inserted gene may carry out
unexpected reactions and produce potentially toxic products.  There is also serious concern about the dangers of using
genetically engineered viruses as delivery vehicles (vectors) in the generation of transgenic plants and animals. This could
destabilise the genome, and also possibly create new viruses, and thus dangerous new diseases.

Green, A.E. et al (1994) SCIENCE 263:1423; Osbourn, J.K. et al (1990) VIROLOGY 179:921.

Genetically engineered products carry more risks than traditional foods.  The process of genetic engineering can thus
introduce dangerous new allergens and toxins into foods that were previously naturally safe.  Already, one genetically
engineered soybean was found to cause serious allergic reactions, and bacteria genetically engineered to produce large
amounts of the food supplement, tryptophan, have produced toxic contaminants that killed 37 people and permanently
disabled 1,500 more.

Nordlee, J.A. et al (1996) THE NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE 688; Mayeno, A.N. et al (1994) TIBTECH 12:364.

Unlike chemical or nuclear contamination, genetic pollution is self-perpetuating. It can never be reversed or cleaned up;
genetic mistakes will be passed on to all future generations of a species.  Biotech companies claim that government
regulatory bodies will protect consumers.  However DDT, Thalidomide, L-tryptophan, etc. were approved by U.S. regulators
with tragic results. Recently it was found that 80% of supermarket milk contained traces of either medicines, illegal
antibiotics used on farms, or hormones, including genetically engineered bovine growth hormone (rbGH). The facts show
that regulators are not protecting the public adequately.

Epstein, S.S. (1996) INT. JOUR. HEALTH SERVICES, 26:173.

Transferring animal genes into plants raises important ethical issues for vegetarians and religious groups. It may also
involve animal experiments which are unacceptable to many people.  Gene transfer across species and competition from
new species damaging the environment.  When new genetic information is introduced into plants, bacteria, insects or other
animals, it can easily be passed into related organisms, through processes such as cross pollination. This process has
already created "super weeds".  Existing species can also be displaced from the ecosystem with disastrous effects, as
happened with genetically modified Klebsiella soil bacteria.

Holms, M.T. and Ingam, E.R. (1994) Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America (Supplement), 75:97

Crops are now being engineered to produce their own pesticides. This will promote the more rapid appearance of resistant
insects and lead to excessive destruction of useful insects and soil organisms, thus seriously perturbing the ecosystem. In
addition, the pesticide produced by the plant may be harmful to the health of consumers.

Union of Concerned Scientists (1994) GENE EXCHANGE, 5:68; Mikkelsen, T.R. et al (1996) Nature 380:31; Skogsmyr, I. (1994) THEORETICAL
AND APPLIED GENETICS 88:770; Hama, H. et al (1992)
Doctor Michael Ackerman helps patients to understand and release the emotional stress patterns underlying
their physical problems and disease.  Dr. Michael Ackerman has been in practice as a chiropractor in La Jolla,
California, for 11 years of his 23 years in practice.  Being a La Jolla Chiropractor has been extremely rewarding
for Dr. Michael Ackerman, and he is unique among the chiropractic doctors in La Jolla in that he has worked with
professional athletic teams, such as the New Orleans Saints, the Delta Festival Ballet Company, as well as
collegiate and amateur athletes from most sports backgrounds.  Dr. Michael Ackerman enjoys practicing as a
chiropractor by the sea in such a beautiful town as La Jolla, California, 92037, but he also does healing
consultations by phone with people from all over the country.