Genetically Modified Foods - More Concerns

Genetically modified foods (GMO) are created differently than the traditional selection of hybrids done in the past. Here, farmers have the availability of DNA from anywhere on the planet to incorporate into their crops.

In some cases this can be beneficial; allowing food yields to increase and developing resistance t salty water.

Although one of the initial concerns was the production of toxic proteins and changes in the plants, this does not appear to have occurred (although the jury is still out). Currently more than 90% of the corn and soybeans in this country are GMO.

The United States still does not require GMO labeling on our foods, unlike 64 other countries.


The most common GMO modification is the creation of "Round-Up" (a weed and plant killer) resistant crops; allowing farmers to spray their plants at any time. Naturally this has produced round-up resistant weeds, and now the use of 2-4D, a herbicide derived from Agent Orange has increased. In fact, a new product, called Enlist Duo, a combination of 2-4D and round-up has been approved by the FDA.

However, the  International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified round-up as a probable carcinogen, and 2-4D as a possible carcinogen.

Why are we spraying and eating foods with cancer causing agents, and why doesn't the government require labeling to inform us. Why does the FDA so easily approve a probable cancer causing herbicide for use on foods? These are interesting questions.

I would recommend that GMO foods be avoided.

GMOs, Herbicides, and Public Health

Philip J. Landrigan, M.D., and Charles Benbrook, Ph.D.

N Engl J Med 2015; 373:693-695August 20, 2015DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp1505660

Does Enough Sleep Prevent Colds?

Many medical studies obtain lots of press; and this one was no different.

In this small study, 160 volunteers had their sleep measured, then were exposed to cold viruses. About 50 of the patients developed clinical colds; those who slept less than 6 hours were four times more likely.

We know the cold virus thrives on cooler temperatures. Perhaps during sleep our nasal temperature increases. Also, it is possible that both groups were similarly infected, but the sleepers cleared the infection more efficiently.

Most people need at least 6 hours sleep a night, and this will promote good health. If you are one of the very few that get less than that; and are not fatigued, this is probably OK for you as well.

Prather AA, Janicki-Deverts D, Hall MH, Cohen S. Behaviorally assessed sleep and susceptibility to the common cold. SLEEP 2015;38(9):1353–1359.