Installment 1

For my first installment I will begin to discuss some of the many dilemmas surrounding the genetically modified foods issue and the upcoming dilemma about lab grown food. I will begin by discussing what’s actually being added to our animal and plant products. The FDA only approves the use of six hormones in agriculture. Three of the hormones on this list are naturally occurring hormones: estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone. The other three “hormones” on the FDA’s list are man-made chemicals that they “proved” are safe for human consumption: zeranol, trenbolone acetate and melengesterol acetate. The reason I put proved in quotation marks is because according to their website, “The FDA approves these drugs only after information and/or studies have shown that the food from the treated animals is safe for people to eat, and that the drugs do not harm the treated animal or the environment. The drugs also have to work as intended.” This statement seems to contradict many studies done on the effects of these hormones. Many studies show that prolonged overexposure to these hormones leads to cancers and other health problems such as diabetes and obesity. It makes me curious how their research findings seem to deem these hormones safe while numerous other researchers come to an opposite conclusion.

                Though the FDA deems these hormones and chemicals safe for human consumption while other researchers oppose these finding based off of their own findings, for now it is still unknown of what all long term effects that are caused by these hormones. Many researchers are beginning to link exposure to these hormones to many illnesses such as various forms of cancer, obesity, diabetes, and endometriosis. The main purpose of these studies is to get these chemicals listed as carcinogens, cancer causing agents, and therefore get them removed from the FDA approved lists. Such findings for estradiol has been discussed in Europe which has led to the substance being banned in Europe for years, yet it is still allowed for use in the United States. However, it is hard to find definitive evidence of the effects of the hormones on human because trials concerning this type of research is deemed, rightfully so, unethical.

                Two of the most prominent hormone/chemicals added to animals currently is estrogen and steroids. Two substances that are not even on the FDA’s list but it commonly in chickens and cows on many farms throughout the United States to increase growth and in cow’s case also to increase milk production. Many scientific investigations show that prolonged exposure to estrogen leads to breast cancer. While eating meats and drinking milk from steroid injected cows can lead to prostate and colon cancer. Though as of right now this is just speculation these outcomes could be caused by a third-party variable that we have not accounted for. Until it is proven one way or another we should play it safe and outlaw things that research linked to be unsafe.

                Another urgent concern to me is synthetic or artificial versions of these hormones that are used in the industry. For example, diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic version of estrogen, was found that it amplified the risk of vaginal cancer in women that were exposed to the estrogen variant.

                Though with various evidence that can lead one to question whether these hormones and additives are safe, the general public is not aware of the possible dangers in the grocery stores fast-food restaurants. When they go to their local grocery store and enter the meat section of the store they are greeted two prominent options. Option one is a FDA approved chicken breast while option two is an organic chicken breast. The organic option is advertised to be healthier for you, but the FDA approved option is twice the size and half the cost. Growing up I would always wonder why someone would rather pay double the price for a piece of meat that half the amount. For the average consumer it is becoming increasingly harder to eat natural food with the cost of organic foods rising, so the logical option for most people is to get the most out of their dollar and purchase the meat approved by their government.