The actor and martial artist, Chuck Norris, says that he will not be eating genetically modified salmon, and he’s not alone. Earlier this year, Chuck Norris, who is better known for his role in films like Return of the Dragon and the television series Walker, Texas Ranger, spoke out about the rampant use of glyphosate and its detrimental effects. Glyphosate, which has been found to be “probably carcinogenic” by the World Health Organization, is linked to a number of debilitating illnesses, yet is still used prevalently in the United States. A lot of people in the world are unaware how food is raised and, therefore, are consuming glyphosate conventionally grown foods – especially GMO corn and soy.
Chuck Norris is speaking out against the FDA’s approval of genetically modified salmon. He certainly won’t be eating genetically modified salmon, and he’s not alone. The activist gives a remarkably observant commentary on AquaBounty’s GM salmon being given the go-ahead by the FDA.
He says: “Is it just me, or do you also see a big difference between something being ‘generally recognized as safe,’ and something being ‘safe’?
Biotechnology specialist at the University of California, Alison Van Eenennaam, was part of the Aqua Bounty Technologies scientific evaluation and states that ‘nothing in the data suggested that these fish were in any way unsafe.’
Another thing Chuck Norris mentions is about the dangers to human healths that are not anticipated by this particular scientific evaluation? Also, the long-term impacts that introducing new, hybrid species could have on the environment, in ways that are unpredictable? He says that he won’t be eating GMO fish, if and when it’s available
Chuck Norris: “I’m not alone. In 2013, a New York Times poll found that 3/4 of Americans would not eat genetically modified fish. An earlier 2010 poll by NPR found that 65% of respondents said they wouldn’t try such fish. Following the FDA announcement, more than 60 grocery store chains have promised not to sell the fish.”
Norris notes that demand for natural and organic food continues to grow. In fact, both labels have increased in sales by more than 24% during the past two years, according to a survey. In addition, nearly half of all who took part in the survey said natural ingredients and GMO-free foods are very important. This is just one more reason anything containing genetically-modified ingredients needs to be labeled, that way consumers can make informed decisions on what they purchase and consume.
When you modify the DNA of any animal – including factory-produced hens and grain-fed cattle shot up with antibiotics and growth hormones – effects will be witnessed in those who consume their products. If you don’t feed animals nutritious food they are designed to consume, their nutrient profile decreases, they become obese, and hormones are stored in their fatty tissue which affects the endocrine system of those who consume them. These issues and more are being overlooked by many.
He also agrees with the executive director of Just Label it, Scott Faber, who argues that the FDA’s lack of labeling requirements outdated policies continue to keep consumers in the dark about what kind of food they are eating.