Europe and Japan don”t want genetically modified organisms (GMO) and evidence yields more than conventional growing is not reality. Pesticide use has dramatically increased since its introduction, because GMO crops are all pesticide resistant and won”t be harmed.
Super weeds have also adopted this pesticide-resistant trait into the DNA. GMOs stimulate the economy for certain agricultural circles, such as the pesticide industry and biotech scientists who enjoy a nice living. Scientists who are not in favor are not encouraged or rewarded by this commercial endeavor.
There are many scientists concerned with plant genetic structure going extinct and the health consequences. GMO alfalfa was deregulated, which is something the biotech industry fought very hard for. Alfalfa is a prolific breeder and is organically a high yielding plant that doesn”t need pesticide applications to grow well. GMO alfalfa will spread its DNA. Valid concerns are ignored from citizens and scientists because it seems that all plants are slated to become GMOs.
I”ve read pine trees without pine cones are being thought up or are now in process. Packaged GMO foods containing soy, corn, canola, cottonseed and sugar beets are dominating grocery shelves. Bags of expired chips and frozen cuisine are tossed into landfills and rarely get donated to food banks even though they could probably last a few more years. I haven”t seen any transportation shipping them to Africa, though I imagine it could be done. Obesity is at an all-time high. The hunger problem is an economic, social and moral problem. Do people who have more than enough really want to share with hungry neighbors? Why not give out some free birth control to those with such a poor quality of life instead of this drastic restructuring of the world”s plant life? They say overpopulation is the heroic reason we need GMOs or we will all starve. This is fear-based and ridiculous since the history of planet earth has never included GMOs until 1996. The argument that this has happened for thousands of years is misleading. Natural selection is a more scientifically appropriate description. Jesus did not know of any leaders of the time splicing genes in a lab. I don”t think he would have approved for he mentions that not to worry about the food his father created. Man should not tinker with something so wonderfully pure and natural. Pesticide use depletes soil.
Ancient foods had more nutrition before the advent of pesticides in the 1940s. You reap what you sow and get back what”s put in. There is no need to add a vitamin to crops genetically. Science hasn”t even discovered the hundreds, if not thousands of nutrients that exist from crops grown in fertile soils that are becoming extinct yet preserved by organic farming. One apple tree I tended was in sorry shape. It did not produce well and the apples were small and poor tasting. My Vita Mix blender made a mixture I poured into the soil for a year, producing a magnificent harvest of the best tasting apples I will never forget. The mixture was egg shells and plant peelings that would have gone into the garbage. Earth knew what to do with this treasure. I have no doubt they were superior nutritiously to any store bought apple. Science is overlooking the fact that garbage in pesticides, is garbage out. Science reports we are closely related to other primates and the percentages are constantly changing and being debated since science if forever evolving in this infancy stage of technology. Gorillas eat vegetation we call weeds and grow to 600 pounds without any pesticides in their diet.
So-called weeds can be beautiful flowers with much nutrition. If I had cattle I”d rather feed them natural weeds then genetically-engineered alfalfa treated with pesticides. A video clip of Dr. Oz”s special on GMOs can be viewed at the Institute for Responsible Technology website. Jeffrey Smith who I believe to be one of the greatest men of our time can also be heard being interviewed about GMOs. Despite many requests asking for food labeling this is still not provided for fear this food will be rejected by consumers. It is argued this food is not any different from its industry that has put a lot of money into it”s complicated creation.
Existing plants do not carry these burdens of proving they are safe and are ready to be used at any time so are so much cheaper as the natural order of plants. It”s up to the farmers to have a green thumb and reap what they sow with a natural seed crop. This is in jeopardy for future generations and the warning of brilliant scientists are inaccurately painted as hindering science and progress. I”m not a scientist, so educate yourselves on these issues that have not been in mainstream media until recently. We all owe at least this much to this wonderful planet we call home.
Geraldine Gutsch
Clearlake
