The soy controversy

Robyn O'Brien, Founder of the Allergy Kids Foundation, explains how independent soy studies are necessary because soy allergies began rising around the time that genetically-engineered soy was introduced
The Genetically Engineered Soy Controversy - Family Health Advice
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The soy controversy

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So, there has been a lot of controversy around soy, especially here in the United States. Is it good? Is it bad? Is there too much? What should we be considerate of? And what's fascinating is that, since the introduction of genetically-engineered soy in the 1990's, has been when the problem really started to escalate. Soy has been consumed for thousands of years in Asian countries without problem, and yet here in the US, it's only recently that we've seen this dramatic increase in the rates of soy allergies with the introduction of these new proteins into our soy beans. So, when you're considering the impact of soy, it's not one-size-fits-all, and for some people, moderate intake is absolutely fine. Whereas, for others, it might cause an allergic reaction. And so I think it's mindful to simply research what you can about soy. And when you're doing it, it is absolutely critical to see who has funded those studies, because when those studies are funded by industry, they tend to promote and favor industry a very high percentage of the time. So, it's critical to look for independent research on the impact that soy might have on a child, or on someone with breast cancer, or someone who might have concern.

Robyn O'Brien, Founder of the Allergy Kids Foundation, explains how independent soy studies are necessary because soy allergies began rising around the time that genetically-engineered soy was introduced

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Robyn O'Brien

Author, The Unhealthy Truth

Robyn O'Brien is recognized by Teri Hatcher, Kourtney Kardashian, Kristen Bell and moms around the world.  She has been called “food’s Erin Brockovich” by The New York Times and has been named by SHAPE Magazine as a “Women To Shape the World”, by Forbes Woman as one of “20 Inspiring Women to Follow on Twitter,” and by The Discovery Channel as one of its 15 Top Visionaries. She is a former food industry analyst, author, mother of four and the founder of AllergyKids Foundation. Robyn graduated as the top woman in her class from business school before working as a financial analyst that covered the food industry. She is regarded as an expert on children’s health policy.  She has appeared on CNN, The Dr Oz show, Today Show, Good Morning America, CNBC's Kudlow Report, Fox News and the Ricki Lake Show and has appeared in several documentary films, including Food Patriots, Unacceptable Levels, Genetic Roulette.  

Robyn’s work has been recognized by individuals such as Yoko Ono, Robert Kennedy Jr., Ted Turner and Prince Charles. She is the founder of the visionary organization allergykidsfoundation.org which is focused on restoring the integrity of the food supply and the health of children, the author of The Unhealthy Truth (Random House 2010) and her work is seen in Food, Inc. filmmaker Robert Kenner’s 2012 video, Labels Matter, and in Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution.

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Transcription: 
So, there has been a lot of controversy around soy, especially here in the United States. Is it good? Is it bad? Is there too much? What should we be considerate of? And what's fascinating is that, since the introduction of genetically-engineered soy in the 1990's, has been when the problem really started to escalate. Soy has been consumed for thousands of years in Asian countries without problem, and yet here in the US, it's only recently that we've seen this dramatic increase in the rates of soy allergies with the introduction of these new proteins into our soy beans. So, when you're considering the impact of soy, it's not one-size-fits-all, and for some people, moderate intake is absolutely fine. Whereas, for others, it might cause an allergic reaction. And so I think it's mindful to simply research what you can about soy. And when you're doing it, it is absolutely critical to see who has funded those studies, because when those studies are funded by industry, they tend to promote and favor industry a very high percentage of the time. So, it's critical to look for independent research on the impact that soy might have on a child, or on someone with breast cancer, or someone who might have concern.