Dear Dr. Oz,
You may remember when I invited you to appear in a PBS special, Get Healthy Now, along with other medical panelists, in 1999. We have not spoken since, however, my audience and I are very concerned about the inflammatory comments that you made in a recent issue of TIME Magazine. In effect, you stated that there is no basic difference between non-organic, genetically modified produce and organic varieties and that people are wasting their money buying organic foods. You also suggest that individuals who purchase organic foods are taking part in a “snooty” form of “elitism” and that in effect, it’s the “99%” just trying to act like the “1%”.
This was unexpected as a person with your reputation and resources could easily have found the several hundred to several thousand peer-reviewed articles highlighting the dangers of consuming pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and genetically engineered foods, especially to those people most vulnerable to chemical toxicity or environmentally-induced illnesses, such as children. Also, you could have examined the 40 years of scientific and lay literature on the plight of farm workers who experienced the highest incidence of birth defects and other adverse health consequences as a result of working with toxins in the soil as well as the hundreds of studies confirming the damaging effects of modern commercial meat, poultry and fish production on our health the environment. Additionally, you could have carried out a review of the water and soil conservation literature that shows how the enormous quantities of excess nitrogen released during the production of our commercial, factory farmed foods have contributed to massive fish die-offs and dead zones, the largest of which is at the mouth of the Mississippi river and is larger than the state of New Jersey. And finally, you may want to have a conversation with your wife, who recently used our studios at the Progressive Radio Network along with Jeffrey Smith, the leading critic of GMO foods in the US, to narrate a documentary challenging genetic engineering. Certainly your wife, a dedicated, conscientious and highly educated consumer activist, would be a great resource for you.
My hope is that this information will motivate you to have your staff do their due diligence, research the facts and realize that you are supporting the “1%”- Monsanto, your television network and their sponsors- and that may be a position in need of reevaluation. I will remain optimistic that you will be thoughtful enough to set aside your ego and any special interests that have propagandized you, and that you will seek the truth, speak out and write a rebuttal. I look forward to your communication.
Sincerely,
Gary Null
Studies Showing the Health Benefits of Organic Versus Conventional with Summary:
Three-year Italian study shows organic peaches and pears have more polyphenols and vitamin C than conventional alternatives
J. Agric. Food Chem., 2002, 50 (19), pp 5458–5462
DOI: 10.1021/jf0202584
Organic crops have higher phenolic content compared to non-organic crops
Brandt K and Molgaard JP (2001), 'Organic Agriculture: Does it enhance or reduce the nutritional value of food plants', Journal of Science in Food and Agriculture, 81, p. 924 - 931
UK’s Soil Association finds that organic produce generally contains higher amounts of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients than conventional produce
Soil Association (2001) Organic Farming, food quality and human health: a review of the evidence.
Independent analysis determines organic foods contain significantly greater amounts of vitamin C, magnesium, iron and phosphorus compared to conventional foods
Worthington V (2001) Nutritional quality of organic versus conventional fruits, vegetables, and grains. The Journal of Complimentary Medicine, vol. 7, No. 2, p. 161 - 173.
Organic oranges offer more vitamin C than conventional oranges
American Chemical Society (2002, June 3). Research At Great Lakes Meeting Shows More Vitamin C In Organic Oranges Than Conventional Oranges. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 7, 2012, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2002/06/020603071017.htm
Organic soups found to have an average of 600% more of the anti-inflammatory compound salicylic acid than non-organic soups
Baxter, GJ, Et Al. "Salicylic Acid in Soups Prepared from Organically and Non-organically Grown Vegetables." European Journal of Nutrition 40.6 (2001): 289-92.Pubmed.gov. Web. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11876493>.
Research demonstrates organic tomatoes have higher antioxidant content than those that were sprayed with pesticides
Anna Vallverdú-Queralt, Olga Jáuregui, Alexander Medina-Remón, Rosa Maria Lamuela-Raventós. Evaluation of a Method To Characterize the Phenolic Profile of Organic and Conventional Tomatoes. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2012; 60 (13): 3373 DOI: 10.1021/jf204702f
Study of organic and non-organic strawberry crops finds that organic strawberries have greater concentrations of antioxidants and vitamins and also survived longer without rotting.
Reganold JP, Andrews PK, Reeve JR, Carpenter-Boggs L, Schadt CW, et al. (2010) Fruit and Soil Quality of Organic and Conventional Strawberry Agroecosystems. PLoS ONE 5(9): e12346. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0012346
Blueberries produced by organic farming practices displayed significantly higher levels of antioxidants when compared to conventionally-grown varieties
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Vol. 56, pages 5,788-5794 (2008), published online on July 1, 2008.
Four-year Study from Europe discovers organically-grown vegetables, fruits, and milk show greater antioxidant activity and healthy fatty acid content.
"Organic Food Is More Nutritious Say EU Researchers." Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, 29 Oct. 2007. Web. 10 Sept. 2012. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/86972.php>.
Organic lemonade contains 10 times as much of the antioxidant eriocitrin than lemonade made with conventional fruit.
Biopharmaceutics & Drug Disposition, Vol. 29, pp. 63-82, September 2007.
52% more vitamin C in organic corn than conventional corn and higher antioxidant content in organic marionberries compared to the conventional kind.
Danny K. Asami, Yun-Jeong Hong, Diane M. Barrett, and Alyson E. Mitchell
J. Agric. Food Chem., 2003, 51 (5), pp 1237–1241
Organic foods contain higher levels of certain nutrients, lower levels of pesticides, and may provide health benefits for the consumer
Crinnion, WJ. "Organic Foods Contain Higher Levels of Certain Nutrients, Lower Levels of Pesticides, and May Provide Health Benefits for the Consumer." Alternative Medicine Review 15.1 (2010): 4-12. Pubmed.gov. Web. 10 Sept. 2012. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20359265>.
Swedish Study shows that extracts from organically grown strawberries are more effective combating cancer growth than extracts from conventional strawberries.
Olsson, Marie E., C. Staffan Andersson, Stina Oredsson, Rakel H. Berglund, and Karl-Erik Gustavsson. "Antioxidant Levels and Inhibition of Cancer Cell Proliferation in Vitro by Extracts from Organically and Conventionally Cultivated Strawberries." Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 54.4 (2006): 1248-255. Pubmed.gov. Web. 10 Sept. 2012. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16478244?dopt=Abstract>.
Study shows ascorbic acid and phenolic activity higher in organic broccoli than non-organic broccoli
Zapata, PJ, Et Al. "Quality Parameters and Antioxidant Properties in Organic and Conventionally Grown Broccoli after Pre-storage Hot Water Treatment." J Sci Food Agric (2012): n. pag. Pubmed.gov. 30 Aug. 2012. Web. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22936597>.
Mineral content greater in organic produce compared to non-organic produce
Journal of Applied Nutrition 1993; 45:35-39.
Studies Showing the Health Risks of Pesticides with Summary:
The connection between pesticides and childhood cancers
Daniels JL, Olshan AF, Savitz DA 1997. Pesticides and childhood cancers. Environ Health Perspect 105:1068-1077. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.971051068
Adler T 2007. Keep the Sprays Away?: Home Pesticides Linked to Childhood Cancers. Environ Health Perspect 115:A594-A594. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.115-a594a
Sandler DP, Ross JA. Epidemiology of acute leukemia in children and adults. Seminars in Oncology 1997; 24:3-16.
"Environmental Health Perspectives"; Household pesticides and risk of pediatric brain tumors.; Pogoda, Preston-Martin 1997; 105:1214-20.
Prenatal exposure to the pesticide impairs neurodevelopment, cognition and motor skills in children
Barrett JR 2007. Pesticides: Toxic Legacy. Environ Health Perspect 115:A190-A190. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.115-a190b
Lower IQ in elementary school students whose mothers were exposed to higher amounts of pesticides during pregnancy
Rauh V, Arunajadai S, Horton M, Perera F, Hoepner L, Barr DB, et al. 2011. Seven-Year Neurodevelopmental Scores and Prenatal Exposure to Chlorpyrifos, a Common Agricultural Pesticide. Environ Health Perspect 119:1196-1201. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1003160
Bouchard MF, Chevrier J, Harley KG, Kogut K, Vedar M, Calderon N, et al. 2011. Prenatal Exposure to Organophosphate Pesticides and IQ in 7-Year-Old Children. Environ Health Perspect 119:1189-1195. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1003185
Engel SM, Wetmur J, Chen J, Zhu C, Barr DB, Canfield RL, et al. 2011. Prenatal Exposure to Organophosphates, Paraoxonase 1, and Cognitive Development in Childhood. Environ Health Perspect 119:1182-1188. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1003183
Research links autism and pesticide exposure in utero
Shelton JF, Hertz-Picciotto I, Pessah IN, 2012 Tipping the Balance of Autism Risk: Potential Mechanisms Linking Pesticides and Autism.Environ Health Perspect 120(7): doi:10.1289/ehp.1104553
McGovern V 2007. Autism and Agricultural Pesticides: Integrating Data to Track Trends. Environ Health Perspect 115:A504-A504. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.115-a504a
Long-term exposure to low levels of pesticides result in cognitive impairments in adults
Baldi I, Filleul L, Mohammed-Brahim B, Fabrigoule C, Dartigues J-F, et al. 2001 Neuropsychologic Effects of Long-Term Exposure to Pesticides: Results from the French Phytoner Study. Environ Health Perspect 109(8): doi:10.1289/ehp.01109839
Examining the connection between Parkinson’s Disease and chemical pesticides
Twombly R 2004. Pesticides and Parkinson Disease. Environ Health Perspect 112:a548-a548. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.112-a548b
Brown TP, Rumsby PC, Capleton AC, Rushton L, Levy LS, 2005 Pesticides and Parkinson’s Disease—Is There a Link?. Environ Health Perspect 114(2): doi:10.1289/ehp.8095
Studies associating pesticide exposure with increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease
Parrón, T., et al. 2011. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. Epub ahead of print
Hayden KM, et al. 2010. Neurology, May 11;74(19):1524-30
Tyas SL, et al. Int J Epidemiol. 2001 Jun;30(3):598-9]
Adults exposed to pesticide oxychlordane twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes
Airaksinen, R., P. Rantakokko, J. G. Eriksson, P. Blomstedt, E. Kajantie, and H. Kiviranta. "Association Between Type 2 Diabetes and Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants." Diabetes Care 34.9 (2011): 1972-979. Print.
Pesticide applicators up to 200% more likely to suffer from diabetes
Montgomery MP, Kamel F, Saldana TM, Alavanja MCR, Sandler DP. Incident diabetes and pesticide exposure among licensed pesticide applicators: Agricultural Health Study 1993 – 2003, Amer J Epidemiol, 2008;167:1235-46.
Studies Showing the Dangers of Consuming Genetically Modified Organisms(GMOs)
Review of 19 studies in which mammals were fed GM foods shows a consistent trend of kidney and liver damage.
Séralini GE, Mesnage R, Clair E, Gress S, de Vendômois JS, Cellier D. Genetically modified crops safety
assessments: Present limits and possible improvements. Environmental Sciences Europe. 2011; 23(10).
Rabbits on a diet of GM soy found to have abnormal enzyme function in the kidneys and heart.
Tudisco R, Lombardi P, Bovera F, et al. Genetically modified soya bean in rabbit feeding: Detection of DNA fragments and evaluation of metabolic effects by enzymatic analysis. Animal Science. 2006; 82: 193–199.
Consumption of GM tomatoes causes stomach lesions in rats
Dona A, Arvanitoyannis IS. Health risks of genetically modified foods. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2009; 49(2): 164–175
Mice fed a diet of GM peas found to be more susceptible to allergic reactions
Prescott VE, Campbell PM, Moore A, et al. Transgenic expression of bean alpha-amylase inhibitor in peas results in altered structure and immunogenicity. J Agric Food Chem. 16 Nov 2005; 53(23): 9023–9030.
A GM corn diet corresponds with digestive disorders in sheep and cellular alterations in the pancreas and liver in lambs.
Trabalza-Marinucci M, Brandi G, Rondini C, et al. A three-year longitudinal study on the effects of a diet containing genetically modified Bt176 maize on the health status and performance of sheep. Livestock Science. 2008; 113(2): 178–190.
Diet of GM soy increases aging of the liver in mice.
Malatesta M, et al. A long-term study on female mice fed on a genetically modified soybean: effects on liver ageing. Histochem Cell Biol. 2008; 130: 967–977.
GM corn causes a disruption to immune cells and biochemistry in mice
Finamore A, Roselli M, Britti S, et al. Intestinal and peripheral immune response to MON810 maize ingestion in weaning and old mice. J Agric Food Chem. Dec 10 2008; 56: 11533–11539
Rats that consumed GM potatoes display organ toxicity and changes related to the development of cancer.
Pusztai A, Bardocz S. GMO in animal nutrition: Potential benefits and risks. In: Mosenthin R, Zentek J, Zebrowska T, eds. Biology of Nutrition in Growing Animals. Vol 4: Elsevier Limited; 2006:513–540.
Ewen SW, Pusztai A. Effect of diets containing genetically modified potatoes expressing Galanthus nivalis lectin on rat small intestine. Lancet. Oct 16 1999; 354(9187): 1353-1354
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