Solution to the Imminent GMO Crisis

March 1, 2011 · 14 comments

While I don’t always agree with Mark Bittman of the New York Times, his article on Feb 16, 2011 about the dangers of GM (genetically modified) foods and the issue of the FDA and the USDA allowing their manufacturers to NOT label them as GM, is important. This is a controversy that has become glaringly critical as Monsanto and other bio tech companies anxiously push to release their GM products into the American marketplace.

Just a few years ago, genetic modification was only a concept, but today it is a major focus for certain companies. Presently, there is the GM “four”; soy, corn, cottonseed and canola. When Jeffrey Smith, the loudest voice opposing genetic engineering, speaks, he asks his listeners to repeat the “four” over and over in order to remember what to avoid; soy, corn, cottonseed, canola; soy, corn, cottonseed, canola…

However, the USDA has just recently puts its stamp of approval on three more products. A GM alfalfa seed (which is fed to cows), a GM corn seed, for usage in manufacturing ethanol and GM sugar beets, all in spite of voluminous consumer protest. This is going to be a travesty for organic farmers, as their fields will easily get cross contaminated and the produce will no longer be eligible for organic certification.

What happens to humans who eat these GM products is another concern. Presently most of the crops of the “four” (soy, corn, cottonseed, canola) are already genetically modified unless the product is organic. These particular food items are pervasive in our food supply. For example, soybeans and canola oil are in every commercial salad dressing. But even worse, what does that mean for the consumer who wants/needs organic milk and meat from cows that are on organic pastures? What will happen to our organic farmers?

If these bio tech companies are allowed to push these products through, there will be no turning back. Eventually the entire food supply will be contaminated. Worse, we will not know what is real and what is genetically modified as the USDA and the FDA has allowed these products to be introduced into our food supply without labeling them.

Many countries in other parts of the world do not allow GM products. They respect their food traditions and are resistant to overtures by these huge American corporations. Unfortunately, in poorer parts of the world, governments have allowed Monsanto to supply Roundup Ready seeds, with the promise of prosperity. We have seen a grave increase in farmer suicides in India as a result of the failure of these crops, to provide just one example.

Next on the list is GM salmon, the implications of which are out of Jurassic Park. Remember how the dinosaurs in the movie were not supposed to be able to reproduce? And remember at the end they showed a new generation of raptors eerily sitting on the stern of the ship? Well, the FDA is considering approval of GM salmon, which are not supposed to mix with the wild salmon. These salmon grow faster and larger than wild salmon and will feed the demand for this commodity, according to proponents of this “Franken” fish. Here again, they do not have to be labeled as GM. Further, what will happen when GM salmon inevitably mixes with wild salmon? Wild salmon as we know it will be a thing of the past.

Here is the solution: avoid GM foods as much as possible. View the list of what to avoid. Become active in telling your government representatives what you think about GM foods. Please follow the links provided in this blog to get more information about this matter. We need concerned people to voice their opinions and become activists on this urgent issue.

 

This article is linked to: Real Food Wednesday, Monday Mania, Real Food Whole Health, Fight Back Fridays, Pennywise Platter

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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }

Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist March 2, 2011 at 8:21 am

Great post on this urgent and worrisome issue. The potential DNA contamination from these GM crops and soon to be GM animals is downright frightening. Thank you for sharing this information with all of us at Monday Mania this week!

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Jill March 2, 2011 at 9:18 am

Hi Sarah,
It is a terribly urgent issue. This is an issue I feel we all should be protesting in the streets about! Once it happens(especially with the salmon, although all the agriculture is in jeopardy)THERE IS NO TURNING BACK!We need to support the people and organizations I linked to in the article and write those letters when asked to at the very least.

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Linda March 2, 2011 at 4:19 pm

I feel that Pandora’s box has already been opened. We can keep writing our senators about our concerns, but mine are NOT listening to me!

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Jill March 2, 2011 at 6:53 pm

Hi Linda,
I know but Jeffrey Smith has high hopes that we will reach a tipping point through consumer demand. We just need to make sure consumers are aware of the problem. Most people will choose NOT to eat GM foods if they know about them. That is why the corporations do not want them labeled as GM. We have to keep talking about this and educating people.

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Colin March 3, 2011 at 6:09 pm

Important information! I have been hunting for something similar to this for some time now. Thank you!

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Jill March 3, 2011 at 8:20 pm

Hi Colin,
I really think this information is very important to talk to people about.

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Amy Love @ Real Food Whole Health March 11, 2011 at 6:15 pm

Thank you so much for sharing this with us at Fresh Bites Friday! Education and activism is absolutely critical and we MUST spread the word as quickly and widely as possible. Many people still do not even know what GMO stands for, the consequences to our bodies and our food supply, and they have no idea that they are eating GMO products multiple times daily. Thanks again for sharing and let’s keep fighting.

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Jill March 11, 2011 at 8:13 pm

Hi Amy,
Thanks for the comment.It really is scary that people don’t know. And that is how the corporations (with the government complying) want it. Unlabeled.

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Beth June 13, 2011 at 12:46 pm

Take 12 minutes and look at this short video on national organic standards and genetically modified foods:

http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_23325.cfm

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