6 Scary Facts Everyone Should Know About GMO Potatoes

Are you familiar with the Greek mythology Pandora’s box?

Pandora was forbidden to open a box, and when she did it released previously unknown evil into the world. Today opening Pandora’s box means someone does something which causes a lot of problems that were previously non-existent or unknown.

What does this have to do with genetically modified potatoes? The scientist who created them call them Pandora’s potatoes.  Why?  Because playing with nature and not paying attention can cause unknown consequences.

Gmo potatoes are definitely something you will want to avoid when possible.

The Creator Fears the Impact on Human Health

A scientist named Rommens created the genetically modified potato for the company Simplot, one of the world’s largest potato processors.

The goal was to create a potato that would not bruise, or develop black spots and to reduce the amount of asparagine in the potato.  This is to make the potato healthier when frying.

He wrote the book Pandora’s Potatoes about the potatoes he created and why he regrets his work on them.

Only when it was too late did he realize that he

1. He failed to see the unintended side effects to the potatoes.
2. During daily testing he failed to acknowledge that genetically modified potatoes were not as healthy as normal potatoes.
3. His potatoes are the worst GMOs ever commercialized
4. They should be called Pandora’s Potatoes

“none of my  modifications improved potato’s vigor or yield potential. In contrast, most GMO varieties were stunted, chlorotic, mutated or sterile, and many of them died quickly, like prematurely-born babies.”

Rommens

Long Term Risks

The potatoes have been modified using a process called RNAi interference. This is how they silence or suppress particular genes that cause black spot brushing on the potatoes.

There are two possible unintended effects associated with RNAi GM plants:

1. Off-target gene silencing – the sRNA binds the mRNA of a gene that is not the intended target gene; and
2. Silencing of genes in non-target organisms – the sRNA binds the mRNA of a gene in an organism that is not the intended target organism

Scientists focused on short-term benefits in lab experiments.  They did not consider the long-term downsides that show up in the field. It was the same assumption made for chemicals like DDT, PCBs and Agent Orange. Decades later the effects of these chemicals are still present.

The fact is that trying to control pathogens with single genes is not useful. Pathogens evolve too quickly. While it takes 2 or 3 decades for insects and plants to overcome resistance to a gene, it takes a few years at most for pathogens to do the same.

In general when it comes to genetically modified crops studies link them to

• Allergic Reactions
• Fertility Problems
• Organ Damage
• Livestock Fatalities

The Advantages Don’t Outweigh the Downsides

Genetically Modified Potatoes

• Yield less crop
• Produce deformed potatoes
• Are smaller
• Don’t prevent bruises but conceal them.
• Lose their sensory qualities when fried. In other words french fries lose the flavor, texture, color, and aroma qualities.

Unintended Consequences

• They potentially spread diseases
• GMO potatoes accumulate toxins that normal potatoes don’t have.

Lost Traits

These potatoes contain genetically unstable traits which are being lost over time. 

What is the point of these traits if they get lost after a few generations?

According to Rommens two of the traits no longer work and others are in the processing being lost or weakening.

Don’t forget that disease-resistance genes can be broken by evolving pathogens at any time.

Acrylamide

These potatoes are genetically modified to reduce the amount of asparagine in them.

The reason for less asparagine is so that when the potato is fried it will produce less acrylamide, a toxic cancer-causing substance.

In other words the potato itself isn’t carcinogenic, but the method of cooking creates a substance that is carcinogenic.

Bruising

GMO potatoes contain at least as many bruises as normal potatoes, but they are genetically modified to hide them. 

Browning is nature’s most visible way of letting you know a product is rotting. Masking the bruises and black spots causes consumers to unknowingly ingest unhealthy and toxic produce.

Concealed bruises accumulate certain toxins that compromise the quality of the food.

Potatoes are One of the Top Foods Eaten in the US

It’s likely we will all be exposed to GMO potatoes whether we like it or not.

• French Fries – They are everywhere, at many restaurant and fast food places
• Baked Potatoes
• Mashed Potatoes
• Hash browns and other breakfast foods
• Potato chips

Should we be worried? Do we need to go great lengths to avoid potatoes? Probably not, but nobody knows the long term consequences of eating GMO potatoes. It’s better to be mindful and keep GMO potatoes in mind when consuming any potato product.  After all, nobody predicted the microbiome changes from consumption of foods sprayed heavily with roundup. This is a huge deal and the consequences are showing up decades later.

Super Simple Guide to Clean Eating

You Won’t be Able to Tell if you are Eating a GMO Potato

GMO potatoes varieties include Innate, White, and Hibernate.

They are advertised with

• enhanced disease resistance
• enhanced uniformity
• enhanced healthiness.

You can’t visibly tell the difference between a genetically modified potato and a regular potato. They are not labeled as genetically modified. So there is no easy way to tell if you are buying or eating a genetically modified potato.

Classified High Risk by the Non GMO Project

Potatoes Are Classified as “High Risk” For GMO Contamination.

What does this mean? GMO potatoes are now widely available. Any potato or product containing potatoes will be subject to extra testing and verification before being approved by the non gmo project certification.

6 Disturbing Facts About Non-Organic Potatoes

Conclusion

We don’t yet know the consequences of eating gmo potatoes.  The facts are out there and the scientist who created the GMO potato tells us that Pandora’s box has been opened.

Most of these articles and the book are from 2018. That means there has been a few years already for these potatoes to get out on the market and and into the store, and to contaminate regular potatoes and products. So you need to be vigilant starting now!

How Hidden Toxins are Sabotaging Your Health

Hidden Health Dangers: A Former Agbiotech Insider Wants His GMO Crops Pulled

Dr Caius Rommens replies to Simplot on GMO potato controversy

The Creator of GMO Potatoes Reveals The Dangerous Truth – Exclusive Interview

GMO Potatoes Are Here – How To Avoid Them