Jeffrey Smith, author of Seeds of Deception and renowned non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) expert, gave a fantastic talk Thursday night at the Fairfield Community Theater.
In a nutshell, GMOs are not safe for people, animals, or the environment. The “data” provided by the companies who make them is incomplete, misleading, and often without scientific merit. Smith calls GMO “self-propagating pollution.” GMOs introduce allergens and toxins and cause new diseases and nutritional problems.
It is mind-boggling how ubiquitous GMOs have become when they’ve only been in the food supply since the 1990s. Today, 85% of corn, 91% of soy beans, 90% of sugar beets, and 88% of canola are GMO.
Most GM crops are modified either to drink poison (Roundup Ready) or to grow their own poison (BT). Roundup (glyphosate) remains in the soil for years. The calims of feeding the world have been largely unfounded.
Even animals, when offered GMO feed side-by-side with non-GMO seed, chose the non-GMO and ignored the GMO!!! Right now, the animals are capable of making a better choice than the humans.
Right now, there are only two ways to be sure you’re not getting GMO food: organic and the voluntary Non-GMO label. Organic is not tested so it cannot guarantee it’s not GMO. Certified organic farmers do not use GMO seeds but they cannot defend against contamination from pollination by wind or insects. The products bearing the Non-GMO label are tested.
Fighting back against the madness
Smith showed how change isn’t going to be made by the government; it’s going to be made by consumers demanding better from producers. Smith is focusing on creating a tipping point to effect that change and we all have a role.
Connecticut House Bill 5868 requires labeling of genetically modified food. If you’re a CT resident, contact your state representative. You can find your rep here at the CT General Assembly site. The bill is merely asking for a label. While the GMO folks claim their product is superior, they’re unwilling to label it. They generally play it both ways. They obtain patents by saying they’ve created unique and different seeds then turn around and get FDA approval by saying they’re exactly the same as the natural seeds! And then they say a label would be confusing to consumers!
The Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT) filed suit on March 29 against Monsanto Company.
“This case asks whether Monsanto has the right to sue organic farmers for patent infringement if Monsanto’s transgenic seed should land on their property,” said Dan Ravicher, PUBPAT’s Executive Director and Lecturer of Law at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York. “It seems quite perverse that an organic farmer contaminated by transgenic seed could be accused of patent infringement, but Monsanto has made such accusations before and is notorious for having sued hundreds of farmers for patent infringement, so we had to act to protect the interests of our clients.”
How to get and stay informed and involved
Here are some links to information and action:
- Organic Consumers Association Truth in Labeling Campaign
- Downloadable Non-GMO Shopping Guide
- ResponsibleTechnology.org – plethora of information and material