Director of the Institute for Responsible Technology, and the leading spokesperson on the health dangers of genetically modified foods, Jeffrey Smith discussed evidence that GMO foods are contributing to health problems in those who consume them. Crops such as corn, soybeans, cotton, and sugar beets are now primarily genetically modified, and a lot of the corn and soybean in particular goes into animal feed. The American Academy of Environmental Medicine reviewed studies of lab animals being fed GM foods and reported that the diet was causing problems with their immune, reproductive, and gastrointestinal systems, contributing to organ damage, and they were aging faster, Smith reported. "We see similar categories improving in pets and livestock when they get off GMOs," but for humans that are increasingly eating such foods, these kinds of problems are on the rise, he noted.

The big player in the GMO industry is Monsanto. They embarked on the process in 2000, when their popular weedkiller Round Up was going off patent, so they developed patented seeds that would only work with Round Up, Smith explained. Among the symptoms associated with GMO consumption are fatigue, allergies, weight problems, infertility, stomach issues, and migraines, he noted, adding that doctors who've prescribed non-GMO foods to their patients say that GMOs cause inflammation and increase allergic responses. One doctor in Chicago said that 100% of her patients get better on non-GMO diets, he cited. Smith recommends the Non-GMO Shopping Guide as a resource for avoiding such risky foods.

On the November ballot in California is Prop. 37, an initiative that if passed would require companies to label their foods as genetically engineered if they use GMOs. Such labeling already is in place in 49 countries, and is desired by 91% of Americans, said Smith. 19 other US states considered such legislation but Monsanto threatened lawsuits, and got the efforts stalled. Monsanto and others have amassed $27 million for a huge TV campaign against Prop. 37 that they are about to launch, he detailed. Smith sees Prop. 37 as a great first step, and hopes that if it passes, companies will remove GMOs from their products on their own accord, since many consumers won't buy them, if they're labeled as such.

Drug Awareness

First hour guest, attorney Robert Shapiro appeared in studio, talking about his work with the Brent Shapiro Foundation for Drug Awareness. His son Brent died in 2005, when he had a bad reaction from combining alcohol and ecstasy. One of the problems in such incidents is that bystanders don't always promptly call 911. But now the 'Good Samaritan' Bill is awaiting Gov. Brown's signature in California, he reported. This law would protect anyone from drug-related prosecution including the person who needs hospitalization, in emergency situations in which 911 is called. Shapiro also announced the opening of 'Brent's Club,' an after-school sober club located in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles.

News segment guests: Craig Hulet, Gary Ridenour