GMO: Myths and Facts with Robert Saik

Medical Myths, Legends & Fairytales

Between the latest online fads and the crazy media headlines, it’s easier than ever to get confused about your health. If you want to make better decisions about your health today so you can feel better and live longer, you’ve come to the right place. Do you try to avoid GMO foods in an effort to eat more healthfully? Are genetically engineered crops really as harmful as they are portrayed to be? Is it true that there is a beta carotene-rich golden rice that could solve Vitamin A deficiencies and cure blindness that is illegal to use in Africa? What information surrounding GMOs, glyphosates, and pesticides is true, and what is simply misinformation? I know you have a lot of questions and I want to make sure that we’re examining this topic from every angle. I’m joined today by agrologist and professional agricultural consultant Robert Saik. He’s not part of any big farm conspiracy, but he has been invested in the industry for a long time. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Robert was becoming increasingly disappointed in the way that GMO crops were being portrayed by activists, and he decided to do something about it. Today Robert is on a mission to educate the broader consumer base on the importance of genetic engineering in agriculture, and he has joined me today to address all of your questions and concerns about GMOs, the butterfly label, increased cancer risks, and global sustainability. I was surprised by some of the facts that he highlights in our conversation, and I wanted to share them with you in the hopes that you can continue to sort out the myths that inundate this highly controversial topic. Key Takeaways: [1:06] Today’s topic is glyphosates, GMOs, and the truth behind what farmers are doing to their crops. [2:20] Robert shares the moment at a rock concert that led him to become a professional agricultural consultant and advocate for farmers. [6:06] Who stands to benefit from the fear that propagates GMO myths, and what are the greatest myths and misrepresentations surrounding genetically modified crops? [10:20] Golden rice provides the vitamin-rich beta-carotene needed to cure blindness, but it’s not being used in developing countries. Robert explains why this is an immoral decision and walks through the cross-species integration process in nature that is replicated in science. [15:09] “GMO” is not an ingredient — it refers to the breeding process that leads the food that is available to feed the world today. [18:34] What is the environmental impact of GMO foods? What are the glyphosate and BT contents of the butterfly label that has started appearing on organic foods? [24:23] Is glyphosate truly dangerous to butterflies? Consider the chronic toxicity and acute toxicity of each, and the effect of them on crops. [27:10] The relationship between the microflora of the gut and the flora of the soils in regards to glyphosates. [29:04] Is there a heightened cancer risk when ingesting non-GMO crops? The IARC has made a highly controversial statement about this idea that is no longer supported by the WHO. [32:03] Robert details the ratio of water-to-glyphosate that is spread on a standard field of crops, how that quantity has changed over the last 3 decades, and why it’s possible to find pesticides in organic and non-GMO foods. [36:58] Land utilization and food requirements demand that farmers be highly effective about the crops they can grow. Roberts details the main factors that will continually affect their ability to feed the world. [41:00] The importance of role of an educated consumer is critical to the future of crop production around the world. [44:12] Reduction of greenhouse gases, soil health, and increased water use efficiency need to be top priorities for a healthy and sustainable global future. Robert explains why and warns against measuring parts-per-trillions. [50:45] Do you have a topic you’d like me to cover? Contact me on Facebook or Instagram using #medicalmyths. To learn more: www.drchristianson.com Dr. Christianson on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dralanchristianson/?hl=en Dr. Christianson on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DrAlanChristianson/ Comprehensive Thyroid Care Robert Saik

KNOWIdeas Media https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvroQE2kXCeo-oUc6za7mrA Glyphosate and Cheerios https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZobgEWwmEpM Robert’s TED Talk: Will Agriculture Be Allowed to Feed 9 Billion People? https://www.facebook.com/agritrend/posts/robert-saiks-ted-talk-will-agriculture-be-allowed-to-feed-9-billion-people-was-p/10153023134005499/ Food 5.0: How We Feed the Future by Robert Saik https://www.amazon.com/Food-5-0-How-Feed-Future/dp/1544504500 The Agriculture Manifesto: Ten Key Drivers that Will Shape Agriculture in the Next Decade by Robert Saik https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/198491880X/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1 Tweetables: “It’s amazing how quickly you can spin three little letters — G-M-O — into fear rather than to embrace the science behind them.” — Robert Saik “The whole idea that genetically engineered technology is in control of large companies is erroneously wrong.” — Robert Saik “GMO is not an ingredient, it’s a breeding process. It’s nothing more and nothing less than an advancement of the breeding process.” — Robert Saik “As long as we have human beings on the earth, agriculture needs to be infinitely sustainable.” — Robert Saik