Genetically engineered foods as a cause of Autism
Hello,
My co-worker told me that Genetically Engineered foods were being studied as a possible factor in Autism, since they have been shown to cause intestinal problems in animal studies. I couldn't find much information on it, though. Has anyone heard of these foods being linked to Autism and where can we get more information?
Thanks
goldfish21
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Joined: 17 Feb 2013
Age: 42
Gender: Male
Posts: 22,612
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Yes.
It's not necessarily the GE foods themselves, but may be, but rather the herbicide/pesticide residues - ie Glyphosate (aka Roundup) that cause the intestinal problems (namely Leaky Gut Syndrome) that in turn can result in Autism symptoms.
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No for supporting trump. Because doing so is deplorable.
I'm a pro-neurodiversity individual who is prudently oppositional to genetically engineered foods, but I can't be ascertained by the present notion that GMO's are elusively contributing to the so called ASD "epidemic" as there's an emerging multitude of genetic and environmental variables to be cataloged. The most vocal anti-gmo activist Jeffrey M Smith, has acknowledged in his documentary "Genetic Roulette - The Gamble of our Lives" that he is uncertain that GMO's may be a partially explicable factor the rising incidence of autism, but hasn't admitted as being aware of the expanding definition of ASD.
I haven't heard of any longitudinal studies being conducted for the sole purpose to analyze any possible correlation between the emerging incidence of ASD's, and the consumption of GMO's: (If such a connection existed, Monsanto's vigorous monopolization of the conventional seed industry and global crop production may be the most plausibly accountable factor). Also, it is important to take into account that the definition of ASD's was expanded by the American Psychiatric Association in 1987 and 1994 to enclose people who would fit the criterion for the former PDD-NOS label, and of-course, higher functioning individuals with Asperger's syndrome (such as myself). The incidence of this autism spectrum disorder according to the researchers Gillberg and Gilberg (1989) is 1 in 300, and the global awareness of AS has been coincident with more efficacious diagnostic protocols and the accumulating numbers of children and adults being diagnosed with ASD's in the 1990's. AS has also been found to have a higher genetic component in comparison with lower functioning ASD's.
Of course, I'm in no way of condoning Monsanto or any pro-gmo institute, as I have learned the truth about this tyrannical and psychopathic corporation in Marie Monique Robin's documentary "The World According To Monsanto" shortly after I had abstained consumption of a potentially deleterious artificial sweetener known as aspartame (manufactured from the amino acid l-phenylalanine, which is formulated by utilizing the bacterium Escherichia coli, which naturally produces aromatic amino acids like phenylalanine and is genetically engineered to produce substantive quantities) over a year ago, which has been systematically proven to be a plausible attribution to the manifestation and development of 92 symptoms (or more) enlisted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Monsanto also has heavy handed ties with the Federal government (especially the FDA and the US Food Standards agency) and a history of lobbying with prestigious ranking individuals working in such regulatory agencies - In other words, they have succeeded in insuring with these government agencies to let Monsanto do as it wishes.
I've heard of a connection between the main component (Glyphosate) of a surfactant herbicide named Roundup, and the manifestation of gastrointestinal issues and food allergies as the result of overexposure or inadvertent ingestion. Roundup herbicide, which was once falsifiably promoted as "100% biodegradeable" by Monsanto, is highly pathogenic and should not be in close contact with when using it as a herbicide, the reason being is that it always residues and hardly ever breaks itself down once counteracting with soil, ground water and streams. It's been said that 98% of the herbicide was in residue within 28 days; whereas only 2% had reached biodegradation.
There is a correlation between the presence of gastrointestinal issues (GI) and the manifestation of ASD's, but whether the majority of these concurrent juxtaposition ASD and GI issues are directly associated pathophysiologically or due to a co-morbid medical condition is unclear. Despite the magnitude of such issues, they are not routinely considered in ASD assessments.
Physician Jennifer Armstrong admits, “Twenty years ago, I didn’t even know what the word autism meant. It was rare.” But then something shifted. Whether it was the food, medicine, environment, or some combination, by 2008, an astounding 1 in 54 boys suffered from autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the US.1 What is it that is damaging the health and well-being of so many of our children? Don Huber, PhD, professor emeritus from Purdue University, has an idea. In October 2011, Dr. Huber gave a talk in Germany about the physiological, neurological, and behavioral symptoms of pigs, cows, and rats fed genetically modified (GM) feed. After his lecture, a physician and autism specialist approached him and said, “The symptoms you describe are exactly what we are finding in our autistic children.”The animals in those studies were fed the same GM soy and corn eaten by children and adults in the US. Both crops are outfitted with bacterial genes that allow them to survive being sprayed with herbicide, which kills plants. As a result, higher residues of toxic weed killer end up inside our food. In addition, some GM corn varieties have an even more unsettling characteristic: their inserted genes produce an insect-killing poison called Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin in every cell—and in every bite. Although the biotech seed companies like Monsanto claim that their genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are harmless, that’s not what the independent scientists are finding.
Autism and gastrointestinal problems
A disproportionate number of autistic children have digestive ailments, suggesting that it plays a significant role in the disease. 5 A Harvard study
in 2010, for example, stated that “Gastrointestinal disorders and associated symptoms are commonly reported.”6 An earlier Harvard and MassGeneral Hospital study 7 found that most autistic children whom they examined had some type of GI symptom, food allergy, or absorption problem. A 2006 study found that “A history of GI symptoms was elicited in 70% of children with ASD compared with 28% of children with typical development.” 8 The relationship between digestive health and autism is controversial. What is undeniable, however, is that numerous healthcare practitioners report greater success when they address the gastrointestinal disorder as part of their autism treatment protocol. For some, gastrointestinal intervention is their primary intervention.
Reference: http://www.responsibletechnology.org/me ... ooklet.pdf
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Diagnosed with "Classical" Asperger's syndrome in 1998 (Clinical psychologist).
RAADS-R: 237/240
Aspie score: 199 out of 200
Neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 1 out of 200
Alexithymia Questionnaire: 166/185 AQ: 49/50 EQ: 9/80
I agree with Fnord
And I want to respond to the person who said this, "I had abstained consumption of a potentially deleterious artificial sweetener known as aspartame (manufactured from the amino acid l-phenylalanine, which is formulated by utilizing the bacterium Escherichia coli, which naturally produces aromatic amino acids like phenylalanine and is genetically engineered to produce substantive quantities) over a year ago, which has been systematically proven to be a plausible attribution to the manifestation and development of 92 symptoms (or more) enlisted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)"
L-Phenylalanine is one of the 20 amino acids we need to make every protein in our body. It's also one of the essential amino acids (the ones we have to get from our diet because we can't make them ourselves). Humans, other animals, plants and bacteria all use phenylalanine.
And I want to respond to the person who said this, "I had abstained consumption of a potentially deleterious artificial sweetener known as aspartame (manufactured from the amino acid l-phenylalanine, which is formulated by utilizing the bacterium Escherichia coli, which naturally produces aromatic amino acids like phenylalanine and is genetically engineered to produce substantive quantities) over a year ago, which has been systematically proven to be a plausible attribution to the manifestation and development of 92 symptoms (or more) enlisted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)"
L-Phenylalanine is one of the 20 amino acids we need to make every protein in our body. It's also one of the essential amino acids (the ones we have to get from our diet because we can't make them ourselves). Humans, other animals, plants and bacteria all use phenylalanine.
I wasn't implying that l-phenylalanine or any of the other two classifications of the amino acid were pernicious, Phenylalanine (l) does indeed occur intrinsically in natural sources of protein such as eggs, milk, cheese, poultry, bananas and fish, but it's not the same in it's artificially isolated form (e.g. for processing and GE purposes) which never occurs in these natural sources. Unlike normal food substances, phenylalanine is the only amino acid for that specific transport molecule that is ingested after breaking down from consumption of substances containing aspartame (fifty percent of this chemical sweetener breaks down into phenylalanine in it's isolated form); subsequently, there is immutable competition and the magnitude of the concentration levels of phenylalanine that enter the brain are overwhelming. This cumulation of phenylalanine that residues within the brain provides an indisputable explanation for most of the adverse effects that are typically attributed from aspartame ingestion. For example, excessive concentrations of phenylalanine (in it's isolated form) deposited within the CNS can upset the body's balance of neurotransmitters, causing a range of neurological effects like epileptic seizures, cellular death of nerves, migraines, and the overstimulation of neurons (excitotoxicity) leading to degeneration. Furthermore, the elevation of phenylalanine levels may negatively infiltrate one's neurochemistry; consequently, this results in a major suppression in levels of a neurotransmitter named serotonin, this can leave people feeling craved for more carbohydrates, fat, and sugar - these craving effects can significantly increase one's chances of becoming obese. The depletion of the organic brain chemical dopamine caused by elevated phenylalanine levels may also induce similar effects (e.g. addiction). It's also been thought that the developing fetus may be at a substantial risk of been afflicted with compromised intellectual/cognitive outcomes and birth defects (including mental retardation) if susceptible to excessive dosages of the isolated amino acid during prenatal development.
_________________
Diagnosed with "Classical" Asperger's syndrome in 1998 (Clinical psychologist).
RAADS-R: 237/240
Aspie score: 199 out of 200
Neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 1 out of 200
Alexithymia Questionnaire: 166/185 AQ: 49/50 EQ: 9/80
I've always thought it has more to do with hereditary or genetic predisposition. My grandmother was clearly on the spectrum and she was born in 1909. My father is also on the spectrum as am I and we were all born before the wide spread usage of any of these suspected toxins. I could believe that maybe certain chemicals or foods increases the severity of the symptoms. Perhaps to the point that someone who wasn't suspected of having it shows signs of it after exposure. That's my 2-cent theory.
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