Non-GMO Isn’t the Answer to a Chemical-Laden Food System

Our food system is failing us, and I’m calling it out. Living in Rawlins, Wyoming, where deer outnumber people, I see the disconnect between what we’re told about “healthy” food and what’s actually on our plates. Our crops—whether genetically modified (GMO) or non-GMO—are drenched in pesticides that may contribute to serious health issues, like hormone-positive breast cancer, which accounts for 70-80% of cases. I’ve been digging into why GMO crops are engineered to withstand chemical sprays, why non-GMO crops aren’t the clean alternative they’re marketed as, why organic options are often out of reach, and why this whole system feels like a calculated betrayal of our health and environment. Here’s the truth about our food and why we deserve better.

What Are GMO and Non-GMO Crops?

Let’s get clear. GMO crops are plants whose DNA has been altered in a lab to have specific traits, like resistance to herbicides or pests. Monsanto’s Roundup-ready corn and soy, for example, are engineered to survive heavy doses of glyphosate, a herbicide that kills weeds but spares the crop. About 90% of U.S. corn and soy are GMO, designed to make farming more efficient and profitable by simplifying weed control.

Non-GMO crops come from seeds that haven’t been genetically modified. They’re the traditional varieties—like heirloom tomatoes or conventional wheat—that farmers have grown for centuries. But here’s the reality check: non-GMO doesn’t mean chemical-free. Despite “Non-GMO Project Verified” labels suggesting purity, these crops are often grown with pesticides and herbicides in conventional farming. In a small town like Rawlins, where grocery options are limited, it’s frustrating to realize the “healthy” label on non-GMO products is misleading.

Why Are GMOs Engineered? It’s About Chemicals

GMO crops are modified primarily for herbicide tolerance or pest resistance. Roundup-ready soy, for instance, can withstand glyphosate, allowing farmers to spray entire fields to kill weeds without harming the crop. Others, like Bt corn, produce their own insecticide to deter pests. The promise? Higher yields, less labor, and bigger profits for farmers and corporations.

But let’s be honest: it’s still a chemical-heavy system. Glyphosate, the key ingredient in Roundup, has been linked to cancer risks in studies, like a 2019 meta-analysis that raised concerns about its carcinogenic potential. These chemicals don’t vanish—they linger in our food, water, and soil, potentially disrupting hormones and increasing risks for conditions like hormone-positive breast cancer.

Non-GMO Isn’t Chemical-Free—That’s the Problem

Many of us assume non-GMO crops are healthier because they’re not engineered to withstand specific pesticides like glyphosate. I thought so too, but it’s not the case. Non-GMO crops in conventional (non-organic) farming are still treated with pesticides and herbicides, just different ones. Atrazine on corn, 2,4-D on wheat, chlorpyrifos on apples—these are common chemicals used to protect non-GMO crops. Many are endocrine disruptors, meaning they can mimic or interfere with hormones like estrogen, potentially contributing to hormone-positive breast cancer.

Research, like a 2020 study in Environmental Health Perspectives, links chronic exposure to these endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to increased risks of hormone-sensitive cancers. The USDA’s 2020 Pesticide Data Program found residues of atrazine, chlorpyrifos, and others on non-GMO produce like strawberries and spinach, just as on GMO crops. The “non-GMO” label only means the crop isn’t genetically modified—it doesn’t restrict pesticide use. A 2018 Consumer Reports survey showed many consumers mistakenly believe non-GMO means chemical-free or organic, which it doesn’t. This marketing deception is infuriating, especially when you’re in a place like Rawlins, where access to truly clean food is limited.

The Organic Dilemma: Expensive and Hard to Find

So, what about organic? It sounds like the solution—organic farming bans most synthetic pesticides, reducing exposure to endocrine disruptors. A 2019 Environmental Research study found that organic diets significantly lowered pesticide residues in the body. But here’s the catch: organic produce is expensive and often unobtainable, especially in small towns like Rawlins, Wyoming, where there’s no farmers’ market. In rural areas, grocery stores might carry a few organic items, but they’re priced out of reach for many—sometimes double the cost of conventional produce. For example, organic strawberries can cost $7-$9 per pound compared to $4-$5 for conventional ones, based on 2025 market trends.

This lack of access feels like another layer of the system’s failure. In a town of 8,000, where the nearest big city is hours away, finding organic options means driving long distances or ordering online, adding shipping costs and hassle. It’s not just a matter of choosing organic—it’s about whether you can even get it. This inaccessibility makes it harder to avoid the chemical residues that may contribute to health risks like breast cancer, leaving many of us stuck with conventional GMO or non-GMO crops.

The Health Connection: Hormone-Positive Breast Cancer

Why does this matter? Hormone-positive breast cancer, which grows in response to estrogen or progesterone, affects 1 in 8 women in the U.S. Pesticides like atrazine, 2,4-D, and even glyphosate are suspected of acting as endocrine disruptors, mimicking estrogen or disrupting hormone pathways. A 2016 EPA assessment flagged atrazine for hormonal effects, and similar concerns exist for other pesticides used on both GMO and non-GMO crops. These chemicals accumulate in our food, water (atrazine is a common water pollutant), and air, building up in our bodies over time.

This chronic exposure, especially during vulnerable periods like puberty or pregnancy, may increase breast cancer risk. Add to that the fact that modern crops—GMO or non-GMO—are often nutrient-poor due to industrial farming practices that deplete soil. A 2004 Journal of the American College of Nutrition study found that crops like wheat and broccoli have fewer nutrients, like antioxidants, than decades ago. This could weaken our body’s ability to fight diseases like cancer. Whether GMO or non-GMO, our food system isn’t supporting our health, and in places like Wyoming, where organic options are scarce, it’s even harder to make better choices.

Is This Intentional? The System Feels Rigged

The more I investigate, the more it feels like our health and environment are being undermined on purpose. Corporations like Bayer (which owns Monsanto) and Syngenta profit massively from selling pesticides for both GMO and non-GMO crops—glyphosate for GMOs, atrazine for non-GMOs. Lawsuits have exposed internal Monsanto documents showing efforts to downplay glyphosate’s risks, which feels like a betrayal of trust.

Regulatory agencies aren’t much better. The EPA’s Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program has been criticized for failing to thoroughly test pesticides for hormonal effects, according to a 2021 Inspector General report. The revolving door between industry and regulators—former Monsanto executives in EPA roles—raises serious questions about oversight. The history of DDT, used for decades despite early cancer warnings, sets a troubling precedent. Current delays on restricting atrazine or chlorpyrifos make it feel like a repeat offense.

It may not be a single villain plotting harm, but a system prioritizing profit over people is hard to accept. Non-GMO labels exploit our distrust of GMOs without addressing the real issue: a food system laden with chemicals. When companies mislead with marketing and regulators fail to act, it feels like a deliberate choice to put health last, especially for those of us in rural areas with limited options.

What Can We Do?

As a woman who values health, transparency, and fairness, I’m not standing for this. Here’s how we can take control, even in places like Rawlins:
- Choose Organic When Possible: Organic farming prohibits most synthetic pesticides, reducing EDC exposure. If organic produce is too expensive or unavailable locally, prioritize high-risk items like strawberries or spinach (check the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” list) and consider frozen organic options, which can be more affordable.
- Explore Online Sources: In areas without farmers’ markets, online retailers like Thrive Market or local Wyoming suppliers (e.g., Wind River Outpost) can deliver organic produce, though shipping adds costs. Look for bulk deals to save money.
- Grow Your Own: A small garden or even container gardening can give you control over what goes into your food. In Wyoming’s Zone 4 climate, try hardy crops like kale or carrots to avoid chemical exposure.
- Demand Change: Support organizations like Beyond Pesticides or the Environmental Working Group, which advocate for stricter pesticide regulations. Use your voice—through social media, petitions, or local advocacy—to push for better access to clean food in rural communities.

The Bottom Line

Our crops—GMO and non-GMO—are caught in a chemical-heavy system that’s letting us down. GMO crops are engineered to withstand pesticides like glyphosate, while non-GMO crops rely on other endocrine-disrupting chemicals like atrazine or 2,4-D. Both may contribute to hormone-positive breast cancer risk, and the “non-GMO” label is a hollow promise that doesn’t mean chemical-free or healthier. Organic options could help, but they’re expensive and nearly impossible to find in small towns like Rawlins, Wyoming, where farmers’ markets don’t exist. Behind this is a system driven by corporate profits and regulatory failures that feels intentionally skewed against us.

As women, we deserve better—clean, affordable food, a healthy environment, and a system that puts our well-being first. Let’s start with our plates and our voices, especially in rural communities where options are limited. It’s time to demand a food system that works for us, not against us.