Community Corner
Film Links Genetically-Modified Foods to Health Issues
The film, which explores genetically-modified organisms in our food supply, was screened at the Wilmette Public Library.
A film examining the controversy surrounding genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) was screened at the Wilmette Public Library on Nov. 14.
“Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of Our Lives" was shown as part of a Go Green Wilmette co-sponsored event.
Since the 1970s, genetically-modified foods have flooded our food supply, and this film documents this development’s downside by making connections between GMO food and many of our current health problems.
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Genetically-modified plants, which are substances not found in nature, have been engineered to be herbicide tolerant and pesticide resistant, and they have taken over our food system. As consumers we need to know about the dangers we face from the altered end products we eat every day. “Genetic Roulette”, which was based on Jeffery Smith’s book Seeds of Deception, establishes possible links between GMOs and many of the health issues we face today: asthma, allergies, autism, inflammation, particularly in the gut, and more.
The discussion following the film was led by Joan Levin, a graduate of the John Hopkins University’s School of Public Health and co-author of books on consumer health issues. Levin is a strong proponent of labeling GMO food products. Questions from the audience centered on how to avoid GMOs, since doing so is not always an easy task.
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However, Levin advised avoiding the “big five”, which includes:
- Corn (90 percent GMO) and its corn products, such as oils and chips.
- Canola oil (90 percent GMO).
- Cottonseed oil.
- Soy products.
- Sugars made from beets.
His advice? Use vegetable oil instead, eat organic foods as much as possible and encourage the labeling of GMO products so you can make your own informed choice about what you want your family to eat.
If you are concerned about this issue, mark your calendar for Feb. 13, when “Genetic Roulette” will again be shown at the Wilmette Public Library, once at 1 p.m. and again at 7 p.m., with a discussion following each showing.
Visit the Go Green Wilmette website for more information.
