Why GMOScience?
Pediatric Environmental Health Questionnaire
Educate to Regenerate
GMO Myths & FactsWelcome to GMOScience.
GMOScience.org is an educational hub for articles, parent advice, videos, and podcasts, focusing on the impacts of genetically modified organisms with a lens on health and the environment.
We provide analyses based on unbiased scientific inquiry, providing solutions-based guidance regarding organic regenerative food for our well-being.
Our goals are:
- To reclaim real science for the benefit of humanity.
- Create solutions for chronic diseases in children and adults.
- Learn the risks of GMOs and the rapidly changing technology and what to do about it.
- Assess and discuss how to live in a world where genetic engineering is unavoidable.
What is a GMO?
GMO stands for “genetically modified organism.” The technology used to genetically modify an organism is referred to as genetic engineering, and an organism that has been modified in this way is called genetically engineered (GE).
The genetic engineering process typically entails isolating DNA (genetic material) from one organism (an animal, plant, virus, or bacteria), inserting it into the DNA of another organism, and ensuring that the traits associated with the inserted genes are expressed in the modified organism.
Crops that have been modified to express new traits via genetic engineering are also called “transgenic.” So far, GE crop plants have been the source of virtually all GMOs for sale as food or food ingredients in US grocery stores. However, a GE animal, the AquaAdvantage salmon, was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Consumer interest is at an all-time low.
Are GMOs different from conventional crossbreeding?
Important differences distinguish genetic engineering from conventional breeding. In conventional crop crossbreeding, also called hybridization, two different strains of the same, or closely related, plant species cross-pollinate, thereby sharing their DNA, and this produces offspring that contain genes from each parent.
The mature seeds from the crossed plants are, in turn, planted and grown out. Plant breeders then select the offspring displaying the most desirable combination of traits. Genes from other organisms that are not sexually compatible with the crop, such as animals or bacteria, are not involved.
GMO Crops Grown in the US
Percentage of Each Crop that is GMO
%
CORN
%
CANOLA
%
SOY
%
COTTON
%
SUGAR FROM BEETS
What’s Making Our Children Sick?
by Michelle Perro, MD
What’s Making Our Children Sick? explores the frightening links between our efforts to create higher-yield, cost-efficient foods and an explosion of childhood morbidity, but it also offers hope and a path to effecting change. The predicament we now face is simple. Agroindustrial “innovation” in a previous era hoped to prevent the ecosystem disaster of DDT predicted in Rachel Carson’s seminal book in 1962, Silent Spring. However, this industrial agriculture movement has created a worse disaster: a toxic environment and, consequently, a toxic food supply. Pesticide use is at an all-time high, despite the fact that biotechnologies aimed to reduce the need for them in the first place. Today these chemicals find their way into our livestock and food crop industries and ultimately onto our plates. Many of these pesticides are the modern day equivalent of DDT. However, scant research exists on the chemical soup of poisons that our children consume on a daily basis. As our food supply environment reels under the pressures of industrialization via agrochemicals, our kids have become the walking evidence of this failed experiment. What’s Making Our Children Sick? exposes our current predicament and offers insight on the medical responses that are available, both to heal our kids and to reverse the compromised health of our food supply.
The New MDS
The recognition that families need guidance from trustworthy, yet authoritative sources, birthed our podcast The New MDS: Mothers, Doctors, and Scientists, featuring GMOScience Advisory Board Members, Zen Honeycutt, GMOScience co-founder and CEO, Michelle Perro, MD, and Dr. Stephanie Seneff respectively, creating a monthly podcast with featured guests on germane topics for parents.
As of 2011, 43% of US children (32 million) had chronic health conditions, increasing to 54.1% when overweight, obesity, or being at risk for developmental delays was included. This data is 13 years old and newer studies indicate that these numbers continue to escalate to shocking levels.
This team of health and science super sleuths investigate common toxic exposures, widespread health disorders, and the medical literature until they’ve identified central factors in what’s making our children sick.
Recent Posts
GMO Science offers educational information on topics ranging from parent advice to scientific studies. Check back regularly to stay informed.
Why Study Toxic Metals in Infant Formula? An Overview of the Results
Why Study Toxic Metals in Infant Formula?
An Overview of the Results
May 2024
Michelle Perro, MD
CEO, GMOScience.org
Article 3 in the Got Real Milk Series
The presence of toxic metals in infant formula is a critical issue that demands immediate action.
Public education is crucial to raise awareness among parents and caregivers about the potential risks and safety measures. Regulatory action by Congress is necessary to empower the FDA and other agencies to enforce stringent safety standards. Additionally, formula companies must take corrective actions to ensure their products are safe.
To address this issue, we are initiating a petition to urge Congress to remove any barriers preventing the FDA from enforcing these necessary regulations. In the meantime, parents can consider various supplements that may help offset the toxicity, although this should be done in consultation with healthcare professionals.
By working together—regulators, companies, and consumers—we can ensure that infant formula products are safe and healthy for our most vulnerable population, our babies.
Toxic Metals in Babies’ Formula Overview
Toxic Metals in Babies’ Formula Overview:
An Introduction to our Research
April 2024
Michelle Perro, MD
CEO, GMOScience.org
Article 2 in the Got Real Milk Series
Given the critical importance of ensuring the safety of baby food, the involvement of citizen scientists in testing for toxic metals cannot be overstated. Baby food, a primary nutritional source for infants, must be free from contaminants that could impair their health and development. Recent investigations have revealed concerning levels of toxic metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium, aluminum, and mercury in various baby food products. These findings underscore the need for vigilant monitoring.
Genetic Engineering and Babies
Genetic Engineering and Babies
ONE-AND-DONE
April 2024
Editorial, CEO, Michelle Perro, MD
Photo Credit Children’s Medical Center www.npcmc.com
Small Interfering RNA (siRNA)
As a children’s specialist, I want to caution parents regarding the emerging use of small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology, particularly in therapeutic contexts potentially applicable to infants and young children. This technology, which manipulates RNA to silence specific genes, is still in its infancy and carries significant unknowns. Early research indicates that siRNA can unintentionally impact off-target genes, leading to unpredictable biological outcomes.