50 Harmful Effects of Genetically Modified Foods

A four-year study at the University of Jena in Germany revealed that bees ingesting pollen from transgenic rapeseed had bacteria in
their gut with modified genes. This is called a "horizontal gene transfer." Commonly found bacteria and microorganisms in the human gut help maintain a healthy intestinal flora.
These, however, can be mutated.

The human gut bacteria, mutated, could produce symptoms like IBS or Chrones disease, which can be as tortuous as anything. Our entire health can be throw off by bad gut bacteria. And it sure looks like it could happen with GM crops and foods.

I don't see how a gene can just get up and jump into another organism. And even if that is the case, why can't natural genes make the same jump? Finally even if the genes can jump species, there is no reason to believe that a bacteria, containing a gene that was introduced into the plant, would cause illness in humans.

Quote: Originally Posted by gc

I don't see how a gene can just get up and jump into another organism. And even if that is the case, why can't natural genes make the same jump? Finally even if the genes can jump species, there is no reason to believe that a bacteria, containing a gene that was introduced into the plant, would cause illness in humans.

When you look at things like bacteria especially, these things really can jump from organism to organism, whether or not they are natural genes. Many bacteria are capable of transfering genetic info amongst one another, even if they are not of the same species. The same is true even of gut bacteria, and while I wouldn't say there was no reason to believe it, I wouldn't see it as being the worst of problems by any means.

I agree that companies like Monsanto only care about profits (but then again which companies don't).