Occupy Monsanto | GM Soy in Aquaculture: Possibly a Dangerous ...

Soy is very much present in the standard American diet today. It is an ingredient in most processed foods, and can also be found in meat products. Corporate giant Monsanto has then created genetically modified (GM) soy, which is engineered to protect plants from weeds. While the world is led to believe that not only soy but other genetically modified organisms (GMOs) contribute to good health, the truth is they can wreak havoc on your health and in the entire ecosystem.

The Dangers of GM Soy to Health and the Environment

Genetically engineered soybeans are especially designed to withstand the Monsanto-created Roundup herbicide, which is aimed to ?protect? the crops from weeds and pests. This means that they can resist heavy doses of the herbicide without being harmed. Although the Roundup herbicide was created to protect crops, it has backfired, causing devastating effects on human health as well as on the environment.

Studies show that GMOs cause reproductive and fertility problems in animals, that by the third generation, these animals have lost the ability to reproduce. Women who consume GM soy can also experience hormonal disruptions, such as abnormal levels of estrogen, an overabundance of estrogen activity, and damage to their pituitary gland. Additional research also links the consumption of GM soy to hormonal problems in men, who may experience loss of libido and erectile dysfunction.

The only published human feeding experiment on GM foods shows that when consumed, the added gene to GM soy transfers into the DNA of beneficial bacteria in your gut. Here, it continues to function. Even if you abstain from GM soy for years, the gene may still linger in your stomach, as potentially allergenic proteins are produced in your intestines.

GM soy, as well as other GMO products, has been linked to several health issues such as cancer, allergies, reproductive problems, and the formation of resistant bacteria. It is also important to note that in certain countries, farmers are subjected to pesticide poisoning and experience myriads of health and environmental consequences.

How GM Soy in Aquaculture Can Impact Marine Life

Even with the dangers attached to GM soy, Monsanto and Cargill, two of the biggest players in the soy industry, are planning to turn soy into feed for factory-farmed fish all over the world, saying that this practice will be ?sustainable.?

The factory-farmed fish industry or aquaculture is responsible for delivering half of the world?s supply of fish. Similar to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), this type of fish farming is linked to several problems, including lack of space, pollution, and unnatural fish feed.

This shows to be alarming, judging from the fact that GMOs have irreversible effect on humans ? what more in the marine ecosystem? If farmed fish are fed soy, the possible dangers are:

• The contamination of the marine ecosystem with GMOs ? According to Food & Water Watch, this practice will allow GM soy to enter the marine food chain, permanently contaminating oceans with problems. Even if these are only fed to farmed fish, unconsumed soy can flow directly out of the cage and into the oceans. 94 percent of the soy produced in the US is genetically modified.
• Higher levels of pollution ? Oceans will become more polluted with the feeding of GM soy to marine creatures because these fish produce more waste compared to other fish. Once these wastes are released to the ocean, residues from the herbicide used on soy can leak out into the waters. A growing body of research states that glyphosate-based herbicide is toxic to aquatic wildlife.
• Marine life will be threatened by corporate interests ? There is evidence showing the ill effects of GM soy on both humans and animals. Nonetheless, Monsanto is now planning on using their GMOs for aquaculture. They wish to achieve this and partner with Cargill, which has an industrial fish-farming division. If this plan goes into motion, issues concerning the future and sustainability of marine life will increase.

What You Can Do in this Trying GMO Times

If this is the case, what is the possible solution? Unless you know that the fish you are about to consume was obtained from pure and uncontaminated waters, you should lessen your consumption of factory-farmed fish.

Boycotting GMOs is another solution. Here are some ways in order to avoid factory-fish and GMO dangers:

1. Support local farmers by buying from local grocers. You should consider buying more organic and fair-trade products.
2. Choose only foods that are certified organic. This ensures that the product is GMO-free.
3. Consider growing your own garden, or help out at a community garden. This gives you the assurance that your food is safe. Plus, you can educate your kids about food!
4. Go only to restaurants that purchase locally-produced food.
5. Educate yourself more about GMO issues and spread the word. You should be aware of and take part in broad coalitions? efforts for a GMO labeling law.

About the Author
Adrienne Nicole is currently employed as a web copywriter and works for Mercola.com, the world?s # 1 ranked Natural Health site. It is through her work that she is able to research more deeply into the GMO issue in the United States. Equipped with knowledge about GMO dangers and dangerous health myths, she exercises responsible dietary choices and incorporates fitness into her daily lifestyle.

Source: http://www.occupymonsanto360.org/2012/07/27/gm-soy-in-aquaculture/

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