What are GMO’s and are they safe to eat? Healthychildren.org has several articles that discuss GMO’s and whether they are healthy to be consumed. A GMO is any living thing whose genetic code (DNA) has been changed to improve the way it grows, thrives, looks or taste. For centuries we have been cross breeding plants and animals to get a better, bigger, tastier products. Commonly plants such as corn, wheat, soybeans, rice have been crossbred for more productive crops as have cattle, chickens, and farm raised salmon.
The problem is that most genetic engineering in today’s world has been focused on making the crops resistant to weed killers (herbicides) so farmers can spray them repeatedly to kill those bothersome weeds. So GMOs are not the problem, the issue is the herbicide. Glyphosate, (an herbicide or weed killer) when first approved was thought not to pose a problem for human health. BUT research has shown that they can build up in human bodies and increase the risk of some blood cancers, leukemia and lymphomas. Farmers who use glyphosate on their crops face a greater risk of developing these cancers than people with lower exposure.
Recent studies show that glyphosate is in many foods, especially ultra-processed foods. It also shows up in 80% of urine samples taken from people in the U.S., including children as young as 6 years. This suggest that most children and adults are consuming foods that may increase their chances of developing cancers.
GMO’s are often present in ultra-processed foods such as: Chicken nuggets, frozen meals, hot dogs, canned or packaged soups, potato or corn chips, sweetened cereals and drinks sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup. The foods on this list can be made without GMO’s but most brands of ultra-processed foods contain corn, soy, canola and other ingredients from genetically modified crops.
Food can be grown without herbicides or pesticides and are certified by the USDA as organic foods. Organic foods include protein sources (meat, dairy, eggs and fish) from animals that eat only GMO-free feed. Being labeled as “natural” or “healthy” does not say that they are GMO-free. Remember washing and scrubbing fruits and vegetables under running water can reduce herbicides even if they are not organic.
Organic foods typically cost more. This is partly because food producers have to find other ways to control weeds and pest. Ultra-processed foods also cost more and give less nutrition. When shopping, it is useful to read food labels and consider choosing foods and drinks that are GMO-free when possible. Try to fill the family plate with whole foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole grains and legumes (beans, peas and lentils).
Besides careful shopping, avoid using weed killers that contain glyphosate and other harmful substances in your yard. Look for organic products. There are many pesticides and not all have been tested for safety. In these difficult political times (defunding the Environmental Protection Agency) choosing whole, unprocessed (or minimally processed) foods is a helpful step for the entire family.
Published 05/15/2025
by Sally Robinson MD
Also see:
UTMB Health Primary Care PediatricsAAP Schedule of Well-Child Care Visits & BenefitsChild Welfare Government Website National Child Abuse PreventionPrevent Child Abuse America 2020 National Child Abuse Prevention