Masters of Health Magazine March 2024 | Page 90

American Academy of Pediatrics Advises Avoiding GMO Foods Due to Glyphosate Residues

By Claire Robinson, GM Watch

“The AAP report authors, three eminent pediatricians, note that glyphosate is a probable carcinogen and may be an endocrine (hormone) disruptor in humans. They also point out the link between high urinary levels of glyphosate in pregnant women with an increased risk of premature births. They add that other herbicides used on GM crops – dicamba and 2,4-D – are “possible” carcinogens, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Given all these facts, the authors consider what advice pediatricians can give to families in a climate of public mistrust of GMO foods. They note that contrary to many people’s belief, the prevalence of GMOs in the food supply is restricted. Even though GMO-containing food products are widely found in the food supply in the United States, they originate from a relatively narrow list of 10 genetically engineered crops. Most US products derived from these GMO crops are to be found in ultra-processed foods and animal feed. Because of this,

“The AAP urges transparency of information about food products to help families make informed decisions,” Dr Jaclyn Lewis Albin, one of the report’s authors said in an AAP news release.

According to the AAP report, going organic is a good approach where families can afford it: “A major benefit of organic food is that it substantially reduces dietary exposure to pesticides. Studies show that consuming a primarily organic diet reduces the body’s pesticide burden by about 90%.”

Read more about what families who are unable to go all or mostly organic could prioritize buying  organic.