[This action alert is over.]
GMOs—foods that have been genetically engineered by Monsanto and other chemical manufacturers—have never been adequately tested for long-term human health or environmental safety.
Many of the ingredients used in infant formula, especially soy-based formula, are derived from crops that have been genetically altered to internally produce pesticides or to be resistant to specific herbicides, so that weed killers that would normally kill or injure the plant can be sprayed more frequently and at higher doses.
Nobody should be eating GMO foods, especially babies. But until infant formula makers stop using GMO ingredients, hundreds of thousands of newborns and infants will be unwitting participants in this huge, uncontrolled experiment with the health of the next generation.
It’s time to tell infant formula makers to stop experimenting with the health of babies who consume their infant formula — sign the petition below.
GMOs are prohibited in organic infant formula, but widely used in conventional formula. Babies are not the human equivalent of lab rats. Given that some scientific studies point to serious harm from consuming GMOs, all formula should be free from GMOs until they can conclusively be proven safe.
Thanks to the work of As You Sow, a shareholder advocacy group, owners of Abbott Laboratories stock (makers of Similac infant formula, one of the leading US formula brands), will be voting on April 26 on a resolution to adopt a non-GMO policy.
Let’s make our voices heard! Add your name to the petition urging Abbott Laboratories to remove GMOs from its Similac infant formula.
Petition
Dear Abbott Laboratories shareholders:
Please remove genetically engineered ingredients (GMOs) from all your products, including Similac infant formula. This will protect the reputation of your company and Similac’s brand value.
Given safety concerns raised in numerous scientific studies, and a very weak history of long-term studies using laboratory animals or humans, it is irresponsible for infant formula manufacturers to experiment with the health of babies by sourcing GMO ingredients for infant formula.
Babies are at a vulnerable stage of development, and for many, infant formula is their sole source of nutrition for the first months of life.
Research published in peer-reviewed scientific journals has indicated that GMO foods can be toxic, allergenic and less nutritious than their natural counterparts. Moreover, genetically engineered crops have not been adequately tested and regulated to ensure safety.
At your upcoming annual meeting, on April 26, Abbott Laboratories shareholders will vote on whether the company should adopt a policy of removing GMOs from its products. We urge shareholders to approve this resolution.
Sincerely yours,
(your name), and those of many other concerned citizens
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Additional Information – The Science
Formula makers may argue that government agencies allow them to use GMOs in infant formula, but they cannot deny that long-term safety studies simply do not exist.
The safety trial is happening as we speak: millions of babies are unwitting participants in a huge, uncontrolled safety experiment as they consume formula made with GMO ingredients.
Serious safety concerns regarding the consumption of GMO foods exist. The following is an excerpt from a peer-reviewed, scientific publication:
“Most studies with genetically engineered foods indicate that they may cause hepatic, pancreatic, renal, and reproductive effects and may alter haematological [blood], biochemical, and immunologic parameters, the significance of which remains to be solved with chronic toxicity studies.”
Scientists have been critical of the inadequate safety testing of GMO foods:
“We can conclude, from the regulatory tests performed today, that it is unacceptable to submit 500 million Europeans and several billions of consumers worldwide to the new pesticide GM-derived foods or feed, this being done without more controls (if any) than the only 3-month-long toxicological tests and using only one mammalian species, especially since there is growing evidence of concern.”
It’s time that all infant formula manufacturers act responsibly, and protect the health and well-being of the babies who consume their products. While all infant formula should be organic, one of the most basic criteria for formula ingredients should be that they be non-GMO.