A leading spokesperson on the dangers of genetically modified foods, Jeffrey Smith, offered an update on GMO foods, and their connection to health problems and disorders. He reported that we're currently in 'Non-GMO Month,' an outreach campaign to raise awareness about GMO issues, and encourage shoppers to make non-GMO food choices. Smith is one of the organizers of the GMO Summit, a free informational broadcast, featuring a panel of experts, researchers and activists taking place October 25-27, 2013. He noted that while Proposition 37, which would have required labeling of all foods containing GMOs was defeated in California, a similar ballot measure next month in Washington state has better prospects.

There are two major traits to GMOs-- they create their own toxic insecticide (BT) in corn and cotton, and (found in far more crops) they don't die if sprayed with an pesticide like Roundup. "Now, if we just look at the characteristics of these two toxins which are in the US diet, that could explain the gastrointestinal problems that people have," he pointed out. Smith suggested that the explosion of gluten sensitivity, and related disorders could be connected to consumption of genetically engineered foods. More here.

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In the latter half, author and former submarine Captain in the British Navy, Gavin Menzies, shared his latest discoveries about who discovered North America, and how amazing journeys of the Chinese pre-dated Columbus. Columbus sailed from Spain using a map that was received from China in 1434 which accurately showed the placement of the Americas, and he was not on a discovery mission, but acting as an administrator on behalf of the King of Spain, Menzies argued. There have been constant voyages to the Americas dating as far back as 40,000 BC from Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean, he continued, adding that simple ships from southeast Asia and China took advantage of the currents. As evidence, he cited how human remains were found in a bog in Florida dating back as far as 9,000 years, and they had DNA that comes from eastern Mediterranean people.

There were some 6,000 voyages between the Americas and Asia, and many plants and foods indigenous to the Americas were brought back to Asia, he said. Between 1405 and 1424, Admiral Zheng He made continuous voyages to the Americas, but toward the end of that period the Chinese Emperor overextended their country's resources, and all further sea voyages were curtailed, Menzies detailed.

News segment guests: Lauren Weinstein, Capt. Kelly Sweeney