Thirty years of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) prove that we, ordinary Americans, must enlighten our politicians. For some reason, they can’t tell when scientific gibberish hides nonsense. So, corporations take advantage and sell them agendas that destroy all life forms.
Breeding, as we traditionally know it, mates individuals of different varieties within a species. Or crosses related species. To create an offspring with genes of both parents. The child’s genes are different versions of the parents’ but coded for the same functions.
GMO are made by tampering with natural DNA. Genetic material from UNRELATED species are artificially combined with a host organism. To form a new species, coded for a previously unknown function. But scientists can’t create genetic diversity. Modified breeds start in a single cell so each generation is weaker and less stable. The genetic synthesis rearranges itself or becomes inactive. Worse, the modified DNA recombines with bacteria and viruses in soil, air, or inside the mouth and gut and lungs of animals and humans. And destabilizes every life form: bacteria, fungi, algae, plants, animals and humans!
Corporations fund inserting of DNA from herbicides, viruses, bacteria and humans into our food crops. And the World Bank twists arms to make poor nations buy this genetic rubbish. One example is farmers who scratch out a living in India. Since 1998 they have to buy GM seeds from Cargill, Syngenta, and Monsanto. Every year. The crop yields are so low they need MORE fertilizer and pesticide. Every year. Farmers lose money on failed crops, mortgage their patch of land and lose that. Then, what’s left?
In August 2002, Zambia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe questioned the safety of American GM food aid. The World Bank asked its chief scientist, Dr. Robert Watson, to study the risks and opportunities of GM food. So FOUR HUNDRED scientists compared GM and conventional crops.
Their report was published in April, 2008:
“…Between 1950 and 1980, prior to the development of GMOs, modern varieties of wheat increased yields up to 33% even in the absence of fertilizer…data based on some years and some GM crops indicate highly variable 10-33% yield gains in some places and yield declines in others.”
The US was “unable to provide unqualified endorsement” of it!
At last month’s world free-trade talks, the Indian representative wouldn’t budge on India’s right to protect its agriculture. And China’s representative sided with him, for his nation’s food security. Only our US rep opposed them. She was for nothing but free trade. So the corporate agenda trumps complaints from all the world.
How can we, the poor and ill and homeless and hungry, change our nation’s agenda. By becoming a concerned community that petitions. We must tell our elected representatives that we want safe, GMO-free, locally grown produce and fruit, like the rest of the world. Keep asking what they’re doing for OUR food security. And when they tell us, push them to do more.
Reference
1. International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD), Executive Summary of the Synthesis Report, 2008.
2. William Engdahl, “Seeds of Destruction: The Geopolitics of GM Food”, 2004.
3. Mae-Wan Ho and Joe Cummins, “Genetically Modified Organisms 25 Years On”, 2002.
