Why Organic, Part 2 GMO
GMO food,
(Genetically Modified Organisms) is another reason to 'Go Organic'. Altering the size, taste, and looks make produce more marketable. Making crops pest and disease resistant make them
more profitable. But how do GMO companies get the DNA from one species into
another? What actually penetrates cells, and is used to piggy-back
the chosen genes? Viruses and bacteria! What long term effects will
this have on the health of animals and humans who ingest it? How many people want to sit down to a dinner of viruses and bacteria?
Since
these corporations were able to by- pass FDA regulation, by stating
that they were just growing food, no different from growing other
food, they also by-passed the tests for public safety. And yet, they
were able to get patents on their products, on the basis that it was
different than anything created before. What is frightening about
these patents is the law suits by the GMO corporations against
farmers who had seeds blow into their fields from surrounding GMO
fields, or even off the trucks carrying GMO seed. These small
independent farmers are being strong armed into using GMO products or
go out of business. If these practices are permitted to continue, it
is conceivable that the global food market could be patented, and
monopolized by a few companies.
Modified not to reproduce more seeds
from GMO produce, farmers must repurchase seeds each growing season,
instead of producing their own seeds from their own crops. And if
their seeds fail? Historically, when there is a lack of diversification, crops can be annihilated by
nature, such as the potato famine of Ireland, where a nation relied
too heavily on one type of crop to feed its population. If GMO
companies succeed in cornering the world food market, what potential global disaster are we setting ourselves up for? Under the
circumstances, going organic is more important than ever.
Health & Happiness
Nancy Burton, L.Ac.
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