To the editor:
Re: Monsanto, GMO food supply and a humble consumer.
In the news we are informed of a large number of gatherings around the world in protest of the untested and unlabelled introduction of genetically modified organisms into our food supply, and the lack of government regulatory action in the matter. As a humble consumer concerned about what I am being fed, the basis of the protests seems logical to me.
I am not a member of the burn-my-hair tree hugging group, but I do have some environmental concerns involving safety in our food supply. I have come to know that all that looks good and even tastes good is not necessarily good for the human body. I have also come to appreciate the delicate balance of the human bio-chemical existence and the rising rates of cancer, diabetes, hardening of the arteries, and a whole bunch of food source disorders.
I am relieved when I see that Health Canada has forced labelling of foods from China grown in polluted soils next to factories. Then I read that Monsanto is locally growing foods in a toxic soup of Round-up, otherwise known as ‘agent orange’, and other herbicide/fertilizing chemicals.
Further, that such food has somehow escaped any obligations for long term testing or even labelling before introduction into our food chain.
From court proceedings, it appears that such GMOs are a highly protected patent product. This appears to have fostered a domino-domination and monopoly take-over of neighbouring farmers and independent organic seed suppliers.
An untested, unlabelled food source from a monopoly supplier. Now I start to worry.
Ah, but my mind has now been put at ease. There have been a large number of recent press articles assuring me that there is no real evidence to support my concerns. Our focus, it seems, should be directed to quantity not quality. After all “we have an obligation to feed a starving world.”
While not fully digested, I see the article written by Mr. Morgan, (The Globe and Mail, June 1, 2015). He assures me that my concerns are baseless. It is certainly clear that I am disqualified in having any real concerns, as I am not one of the “…impoverished Africans or Indians who bear the brunt of worsening water and food shortages.”
Mr. Morgan, while not a scientist, claims credentials as “a retired Canadian business leader who has been a director of five global corporations.” We are left to trust and assume that none of his corporate interests or shareholdings involved Monsanto; just as we are left to assume that all genetically engineering of foods are in the category of “motherhood and apple pie” with untold benefits to society.
Trusting in those assumptions, we are left to question the absurdity of any request for labelling or long term testing.
Just what are we being fed here? That is my humble question. I’m hoping that “shut-up and eat your gruel” is not the answer.
Ian R. Sisett, Kelowna
