Organic farmers point out that they are no longer organic when their seed is contaminated by genetically-engineered cross-pollination. They are the victim, not the perpetrator. The Monsanto Corporation protests that it has sued only 145 farmers for patent violation. Meanwhile, the Organic Consumers Organization has organized a Millions Against Monsanto campaign to pressure Congress to force foods to be labeled as GMO. This would allow consumers to decide whether they will risk their health with GMO foods. The FDA does not determine whether or not GMO is safe. It only determines whether evidence has been provided to declare it unsafe. No evidence, no reason not to eat it.
Of course, whether GMO food is safe will not be determined until after people have eaten it for 20 or more years. By that time, non-GMO seeds may no longer be available on the planet, as the wind and the birds cross-pollinate our fields. Although dramatic increases in the incidence of allergies and immune system diseases have occurred over the last 20 years, science have not been able to identify why this has happened.
Article comments
1 - Kate Ryan
Sugar beets and wheat are also GMO. Why do so many people today have intolerance to wheat?
2 - J.C. Pike
When one goes to apply to become an Organic Farm. A survey is usually required to be done of who & what is being done on adjacent properties to where to Organic Farm is being planned. If GMO growing is being done to close to the proposed Organic operation the Dept. of Agriculture will not allow the proposed to start the Organic Certification process until there is a substantial wind break between to the two properties or the G.M.O. seed species is diferrent from the Organic seed species i.e. GMO cotton versus Organic Tomatoes.
3 - Alice Elliott Brown
So the burden is placed on the potential organic farmer? What if someone decides to grow GMO after the organic farm is certified? Do they even need to ask permission?
4 - Melissa Elkins
You can find almost all the info you would need about GMO's (and links to what isn't there) at The Non-GMO Project.
The Non-GMO Project is working to increase awareness and to educate the public, retailers, and manufacturers on GMO's. You can find a non-GMO shopping guide to help you pick products, info on what you can do help, and a list of retailers in your state that support the project!
5 - Duke Liberatore
Why should we be manipulated into eating genetically modifeid food against our wishes? Why should farmers be forced to repurchase seeds every year? Why should food be controlled by patent owning corporations? Why should foods containing compounds never before exisiting on earth even exist? It is all about control of the food supply and the enormous profits that will follow. The costs are the health of the human race and our enviroment.
6 - S. Kian Chuan
How can we tell if we are taking GMO food currently? There is no clear indication on this. To the consumer, we will need the help of the law or organization to set the rules.
The standard should be the similar to having the Organic label after they are certified by the organization.
7 - Alice Elliott Brown
It appears that the GMO seed makers (Monsanto, DuPont, BASF, and Syngenta fight hard against labeling and our biotech-positive Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack, agrees with them. Labeling would kill market potential.
8 - Elizabeth
Um, birds and wind pollinate our crops? Okay yeah wind is important but what crops are pollinated by birds?
Also, I don't quite understand why you wrote about allergies increasing in the last 20 years when you also wrote that GMO can be determined if safe or not after 20 years production and that in the time span of 20 years there may be no non GMO contaminated seeds.
I certainly agree with your sentiments, but I am confused about the particulars.
9 - wlmarvel
Gmo seeds must be stopped. They are contaminating all other seeds soon there will not be any heirloom or organic seeds left. I think this is a bad idea. Bees ad butterflies have decreased to almost nothing. I saw 1 honey bee this season and 1 monarch butterfly. One company should not have this kind of power over our food system.
10 - Iaroslav P.
Thank you, Melissa Elkins,
The link that you have posted contains a lot of interesting information!
11 - Sylwia
let's elucidate this way.
12 - Kack
Dear Sylwia, senseaboutscience.org who produced that pamphlet about GMO is obviously an undercover organization of the Monsanto lobby.
13 - Brendan Bombaci
Yes, GMOs can be (and are) in USDA Certified Organic food. Sign the petition to fight back, join the Facebook page, and read the documentation (or watch the TED-length Keynote YouTube presentation on a mobile device), at the following link. Heaven & Earth Blogspot.