First of all, what are GMOs? These are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially modified in a lab through a series of genetic engineering (or GE). Consequently, many countries around the world restrict the growing or importing of GMO crops mainly because of their adverse effects on human health, environmental damage, and substantial violation of farmers’ and consumers’ rights. These global restrictions are always held up on mere assumptions, referred to the lack of proper regulation of genetically modified organisms in the US. Although in reality, many countries frequently launch heated debates on whether to allow or entirely ban GMOs. While many countries may have banned the growing of GMO crops, most of them don’t fully ban imports of GMO foods nevertheless. And countries in which GMO foods have been banned, some do allow either one or two GMO crops to be grown. Here are some other reasons why GMOs are banned in so many countries.

1. Associated with Severe Health Risks: Evidently, what normally happens when people consume genetically modified foods, their genes are forced to adopt certain traits. This occurs after all the body’s gene’s components have been triggered, which is equated with releasing allergens in the body and which in turn wouldn’t be elicited in a non-GMO variety. Jeffery Smith, a leading national expert on the dangers of GMOs and their impact on agriculture and overall human health, suggests this is directly linked to the rise of health issues in humans — and in a short Q&A statement he’s quoted saying, “ The American Academy of Environmental Medicine identifies the following sections of diseases and disorders as further afflicting the lab animals normally fed genetically modified soy and corn: severe problems with the gastrointestinal, immune and reproductive systems, accelerated aging, organ damage, and insulin and cholesterol issues, which overall puts the life of humans at risk”.

2. Heavy Use of Toxic Herbicides and Pesticides: In general, all GMOs seeds require some level of pesticides and herbicides to grow. Although some manufacturers claim the level of pesticide normally decreases over time, this report has been refuted, and many experts in this field have found the levels of pesticide and herbicides volume in GMOs foods increase – according to a peer-issue reviewed in 2012.

3. Poor Digestive Health: The sole purpose of pesticides herbicides is to kill unwanted insects and plants. Glyphosate, a common herbicide used on GMO crops – reports have shown it to negatively harm the gut bacteria of humans. This in turn normally arise issues associated with poor digestive health and people to develop different kinds of food allergies.

4. Reports of Cancer: Both pesticides and GMOs altogether are directly connected with an increased volume or risk of certain types of cancer. Also, there are several health in-depth analyses that show signs of autism, reproductive issues and even heart disorders – drawn from patients who have consumed GMO foods. A department of the World Health Organization has also cautioned that glyphosate “more likely” causes cancer, which in turn raises alarm bells on whether such foods are really safe for human consumption.

More so Goldberg, a plant molecular biologist at the University of California, Los Angeles, has found GMOs foods directly linked with spread of cancer and other health risks in humans. He says, “Researchers have produced exonerating evidence on GMOs and their negative impact on people’s health, and today we’re facing the same challenges we faced 40 years ago.”

5. Environmental Hazard: GMO crops and their direct link to pesticides and herbicides pose potential harm to the environment such as pollution of water, soil, and air altogether. Glyphosate itself is a strong antibiotic organism, which can destroy soil quality dramatically, and more likely even destroy the whole plant’s nutritional value as well. More so, cross-pollination between GMO and non-GMO crops is usually practiced as well and has destroyed many kinds of natural plant varieties existing in the environment.

6. Growth of Superweeds and Superbugs: Despite the heavily raved claims that pesticides and GMO crops can dramatically relieve farmers of crop-destroying insects and plants – the very opposite seems to be actually true. Consequently, many farmers in the Midwest are frustrated and are now battling superweeds and superbugs resistant to pesticides. Many of them are destroying crops and farm materials, which cost farmers more money because they’re forced to apply heavier doses of toxic pesticides quite often.

The long-term impact of GMOs is currently unknown and once it’s released into the environment, these novel organisms simply cannot be reversed. Many farmers who have adopted this technology, on the other hand, are not happy and they think they’re being imprisoned and that they are being led into a perpetual technology trap — that will do more harm to them than good.

7. Patent Issues: Many GMO industries usually experience difficulties with patent issues. As such, many companies, specifically Monsanto – an American agrochemical and agricultural biotech company that deals with transgenic varieties of most crops found in the world today – are notorious for suing small scale farmers for storing seeds, even if any kind of GMO crop accidentally grows on their land.

8. Bias Corporate Protection: More recently, the US government endorsed a bill dubbed the “Monsanto Protection Act.” In reality, it grants all biotech companies worldwide immunity from national courts. This means, even if a supreme judge is strongly convinced that it’s an offense to grow GMO crops, such companies would still grow the crops anyway, which in turn pose a serious threat to farmer sovereignty and the national food security of any country where GMO crops are grown, including the US.

9. Lack of Labeling: Lastly, A lot of GMO foods allegedly have been reported to lack a label etched on their package, suggesting they’re really GMO material. Thus, millions of people around the world consume them without knowing due to the lack of an effective labeling plan in many states. Hopefully in the near foreseeable future, a responsible solution will be reached and eventually, everybody will more likely be aware of what they normally eat nevertheless.

In summary, there are no easy answers to the question “why are GMOs banned in so many countries?” and it’s more apparent they will end up being part of our food chain, even in the near future. Agreeably, much is at stake. Objective, extensive research, and constructive discussions among all stakeholders (farmers, corporations, legislators, environmental groups, researchers and the public) should be launched if at all an effective solution is to be reached. On the other hand, those who wish to exercise caution in order to avoid GMO foods can do so by buying organic food and products that are Non-GMO Project Verified! And also by supporting local farmers who do not employ this technology.

GMO Food is Poison! Learn the Truth Watch – Fed Up [Full Documentary]