With a constant stream of diet advice, it’s natural to question the safest way to nourish your family. Nutrition labels are packed with information, yet many parents feel overwhelmed trying to discern what’s truly healthy for their children.
Healthy eating is crucial for your child’s development and well-being. In light of this, a thorough examination of the evidence surrounding genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, is essential. These are also known as bioengineered foods. Understanding how food and drinks containing GMOs might impact your child’s health is important for making informed decisions.
Understanding GMOs: What Are Bioengineered Foods?
A GMO, or bioengineered product, refers to any living organism whose genetic makeup (DNA) has been altered to enhance its growth, resilience, appearance, or taste.
In the context of human diets, this primarily involves crops like corn, soybeans, canola (used for cooking oil), and sugar beets. GMOs also extend to protein sources, such as genetically modified salmon or livestock like cattle and chickens that may consume GMO corn or soybeans in their feed.
Safety of GMOs: Are Bioengineered Foods Safe to Eat?
Changing the genetic code of plants and animals isn’t inherently new or harmful. Humans have been modifying crops and livestock for centuries through traditional breeding methods.
Hybrid plants, resulting from combining two or more varieties, have long been a part of our food supply. Many fruits and nuts originate from hybridized trees, and crossbreeding livestock has been practiced for generations.
However, certain GMO foods may present potential health risks, particularly for children. This concern arises because a primary focus of genetic engineering has been to create crops resistant to herbicides, weed killers heavily used in agriculture.
Genetic modification allows crops like corn and soybeans to withstand repeated applications of herbicides that would otherwise destroy them.
Herbicide Exposure: A Potential Health Threat
Glyphosate is the main active ingredient in widely used herbicides across the United States. This chemical is also found in common weed killers for home use. For many years, glyphosate was considered harmless to human health. However, growing research globally indicates that these chemicals can accumulate in our bodies. This accumulation may elevate the risk of certain blood cancers, including specific types of leukemia and lymphoma. Studies suggest that farmers exposed to glyphosate through their work have a higher risk of developing these cancers compared to those with less herbicide exposure.
Focus on Farming Practices, Not Just the Food Itself
It’s crucial to recognize that the primary concern isn’t necessarily the genetically modified crops themselves, nor the animals that consume them, but rather the herbicides used in their cultivation. While ongoing research may uncover links between herbicides and other health issues, the existing evidence regarding potential cancer risks, especially for developing children and teenagers, should not be disregarded.
Evidence of Herbicide Exposure in Humans
Recent studies have detected glyphosate in numerous foods, particularly ultra-processed foods. Alarmingly, it has also been found in approximately 80% of urine samples from people in the U.S., including children as young as six. This widespread presence suggests that a significant portion of both children and adults are consuming foods that could potentially increase their cancer risk.
Common Foods and Drinks Likely to Contain GMOs
GMOs are frequently found in ultra-processed foods, such as:
- Chicken nuggets
- Frozen dinners
- Hot dogs
- Canned or packaged soups
- Potato and corn chips
- Sweetened breakfast cereals
- Drinks sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup
It’s important to note that while the foods listed above can be produced without GMOs, most commercially available brands of ultra-processed foods contain corn, soy, canola, and other ingredients derived from genetically modified crops.
Organic Alternatives: Growing Food Without Herbicides
Yes, it is possible to grow food without synthetic herbicides. Foods certified organic by the USDA are grown without synthetic chemical herbicides and pesticides. Organic options include protein sources (meat, dairy, eggs, and fish) from animals fed only GMO-free feed.
However, be aware that labels like “natural” or “healthy” do not automatically mean GMO-free. Look for certified GMO-free or USDA-certified organic labels. When shopping at farmers’ markets, inquire directly about whether fruits, vegetables, fish, meats, or dairy products are GMO-free.
Additionally, thoroughly washing and scrubbing produce under running water, even if it’s not organic, can help reduce herbicide residue.
The Cost of Organic: Why Aren’t More Foods Organic?
You may have noticed that organic foods are typically more expensive. This price difference is partly due to the more labor-intensive and costly methods food producers must employ to manage weeds and pests without synthetic chemicals.
Unlike conventional farming that relies on large-scale herbicide spraying, organic farming often requires more manual labor and alternative pest control strategies. Many GMO crops are specifically engineered to withstand multiple herbicide applications throughout the growing season, making weed control simpler and cheaper with conventional methods.
Practical Tips for Reducing GMOs in Your Family’s Diet
While completely eliminating GMOs from your child’s diet might be challenging, especially with snacks consumed outside the home, you can take proactive steps to raise awareness and gradually minimize GMO consumption.
- Carefully read food labels: When possible, choose foods and drinks labeled as GMO-free or certified organic.
- Prioritize whole foods: Fill your family’s meals with fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and legumes like beans, peas, and lentils.
- Reduce processed food intake: Limit the amount of ultra-processed foods in your family’s diet.
GMOs in Infant Formula and Baby Foods
It’s advisable to check labels on infant formula and packaged baby foods to ensure they are GMO-free. A non-GMO label indicates that any cow’s or goat’s milk used in the formula comes from animals fed a GMO-free diet.
Addressing Misconceptions About GMO Safety
Despite online discussions and news reports that may downplay GMO concerns, parents should not dismiss potential risks. It’s important to examine the available evidence and make informed decisions regarding potential risks.
Health experts continuously monitor research on nutrition and children’s health. When studies suggest potential safety concerns, guidance is offered to help families make healthier choices.
Historically, early research has often highlighted dangers to children’s health. For example, the movement to remove lead from paint, gasoline, and other sources began in the late 1970s, driven by a pediatrician’s concern about lead poisoning in children. Research confirmed lead’s accumulation in children’s bodies, causing brain and nervous system damage, and in severe cases, death.
Since then, strong measures have been implemented to protect children from lead exposure. Being cautious about GMOs and herbicide exposure in our food system is another example of making fact-based decisions to support long-term health.
Beyond Diet: Reducing Herbicide Exposure in Your Environment
Avoid using weed killers containing glyphosate, 2,4-D, and other harmful chemicals in your yard. Opt for organic weed control products when possible. Consider starting a home or community garden to teach children about healthy food cultivation and environmental stewardship.
Key Takeaways from the AAP Policy on GMOs
Here are key points from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) report on GMOs:
- GMOs are prevalent in the U.S. food supply, primarily originating from 10 genetically engineered crops: alfalfa, apples, canola, corn, cottonseed, papaya, potatoes, soybeans, yellow squash, and zucchini.
- Most GMO crops are used in ultra-processed foods and animal feed.
- Since January 2022, GMO foods sold in the U.S. are required to be labeled, though exemptions exist for smaller companies, restaurants, and certain food providers.
- GMO technology has potential benefits like enhancing food nutrition, but this is not yet widely realized in the U.S.
- Glyphosate, the main herbicide on GMO crops, is classified as “probably carcinogenic” by the World Health Organization, although this classification is not universally adopted.
- Measurable levels of glyphosate are found in GMO foods.
- Babies can be exposed to GMOs through their parents, potentially linked to risks of premature birth, hormonal disruptions, and reproductive organ abnormalities.
- Choosing whole, minimally processed foods is a significant step in reducing GMO exposure. Families seeking to avoid GMOs entirely should consider certified organic foods, which are legally prohibited from being produced with GMO crops or feed.
In Conclusion
Consulting with your child’s pediatrician is valuable for addressing questions about GMOs, considering the costs and potential health implications of food choices. Ongoing research will continue to improve our understanding of GMOs, herbicides, pesticides, and their long-term effects on children’s health.
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About Dr. Abrams ****Steven A. Abrams, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a past chair of the National Committee on Nutrition within the American Academy of Pediatrics and served on the Dietary Advisory Committee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. |
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About Dr. Landigran ****Philip J. Landrigan, MD, MSc, FAAP directs the Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good at Boston College. He led a major study on pesticides and children’s health at the National Academy of Sciences and is a former Chair of the AAP Committee on Environmental Health (now COEHCC). |
Editor’s note: Jaclyn Albin, MD, FACP, FAAP, DipABLM, also contributed to this article.
