I don’t usually write about things that are so apparent you don’t need to be bringing it to everyone’s attention, but this recent letter to the editor by Lorne Hepworth, President of Croplife Canada…
I cannot believe that we are expected as consumers to trust the word of those individuals and corporations and associations they represent that GM food is safe.
You have to remember; Monsanto and the likes are not in this business of genetically modifying food to make friends and feed the poor. It is all about money and control – did I mention all about money?
Why are bee populations dying off? Why is cancer on the rise? Why do so many more people suffer from allergies?
It all starts with the food supply and you just can’t screw with nature on such a basic level and not expect there to be ramifications. A decade of use is not nearly long enough to judge the long-term effects this will have on future generations.
By modifying the seeds and plants with an insecticide gene you eventually create a stronger class of super bug that will be immune to the poisons genetically bred into the plants. I have read lately that some of the “round-up” ready plants that have been created are not even responding to some chemical controls anymore.
Where will we be 50 years from now, once heirloom varieties of seeds are completely eradicated and all we have are the lab-created seed supplies? Did you know that the farmers can’t do their traditional seed harvest and for use again the next year when they use GM seed? It used to be a simple process, plant your seeds, grow your crops, harvest your crop and gather seed for the next year. Now they have removed a couple of the steps. What ones you ask? The gather seed process. When you start dealing with the GM seed they force farmers into buying high-priced GM seeds every year.
I have relatives and good friends that are farmers and they say, “good luck” finding a GM-free seed – it’s out there but getting harder to find.
If you want safe, affordable food for our children, grandchildren and yourself, go support the farmers market where you can find people concerned about the biodiversity of the area and what you eat.
Maintaining biodiversity is important since every living thing plays a pivotal role in the circle of life we currently enjoy.
So you make up your mind about GM foods. Are they doing it for us or them?
B. Lutz
Vernon
