GMOs

[Guest guest]

I was wondering if there are any farmers on this list

who could comment on how GMOs effect their business.

Is there any way a farmer could benefit from a rise in

genetically altered crops?

I pose this question to you because it was asked on a

message board I frequent. The topic is *Genetically

Enhanced Foods. What are your feelings on

this?* ...here's what she said -

" Many foods are genetically modified to resist insect

infestation which reduces the need for pesticides and

increases the crop output. Farmers love GM crops b/c

they are so much easier to grow. Its either that or

put the time and effort into pesticide application

(and who the heck wants crop dusters flying over their

fields after hearing about the possibility of

terrorists using them). On one hand, we can

genetically modify foods to resist pests or we can eat

pesiticide laden food. There is no evidence that GM

foods are harmful to humans but long term effects are

unknown. That defintely makes me leary.

So the answer is organic right? Well, not exactly.

Don’t get me wrong – I am totally PRO-ORGANIC!!! I

work for a company that supplies organically grown

ingredients and we charge a huge premium for them.

Organic keeps the profits rolling in. But I don’t buy

organic. There is not enough evidence to me that

organic is better (and I think the excess money

charged for organic just irks me) Organic refers to

the way that the crop is grown – typically using

manure. Manure has not been proven to have benefit

over traditional farming techniques. Organic foods

have not been proven to be more nutritious in the

studies that I have looked at – and believe me, I

looked and looked! However, the last time I researched

this was in 1998 - If anyone has scientific research

to show me otherwise, please share!! In addition, the

organic crops are more likely to have fecal

contamination (E. coli, etc) from the manure used to

grow it. Organic crops very often have just as much,

if not MORE pesticide residue than traditionally grown

crops. This is due to run off from neighboring fields,

cross pollination, etc. Unfortunately, even if a

farmer is committed to growing organic foods, he can’t

help what his neighbors grow.

The laws regulating organic foods have greatly

improved though thanks to organizations committed to

keep the food industry in check. I wouldn't discourage

anyone from eating organic. I am just afraid that it's

not quite as pure and natural as it's made out to be. "

I'd love to counterpoint this argument but feel as

though I need solid evidence to do so. Rather than do

some impersonal search on the web, I thought it would

be more thought-provoking if I could get some feedback

from this group.

Thanks a million,

a

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