Food Politics

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by nyusteinhardt, fadsandfancies.com. fadsandfancies.com said: Blogfeed: The latest on GM foods: USDA has just released  the most recent statistics on use of genetically modifie… http://bit.ly/aQUxeu [...]

Marion:

Yes! We must all take pen in hand and voice our food concerns. Join me in calling July – the month that brought us Independence from tyranny – as the month for exercising our considerable freedom of speech to become free of food tyranny. Writing to elected officials is something that we all can do in the amount of time it takes to watch our favorite tv show.

Whether concerned about GMOs, package labeling, marketing to kids, or limiting salt in processed food products, voicing our concern is our precious right. It is also our responsibility to speak up about injustices perpetuated by special corporate interests running roughshod over the health and well-being of American family farmers and citizens.

Let our government know the importance of supporting a constitutional amendment to repeal the recent Supreme Court decision that grants corporations the same status as people. We cannot let some ‘people’ become more more equal than others.

[...] The best way to keep GM foods off of your plate is to stick with organic, whole foods. You might also take a look at True Food Now’s shopper’s guide for tips on avoiding genetically engineered foods. [h/t Food Politics] [...]

Write your congressman… a big fat campaign contribution check. Because you can be sure that the GMO industry is doing that right now. And since America system of government works on the principle of of Money Talks, you lovers of real, nonmodified food had better start coughing up cash and lots of it.

I just buy locally grown, GMO or organic. I don’t buy into the conspiracy nut attitude about GMO “safety” risks. But I do not begrudge those that are, to each their own.

@David: I used to feel the way you do, but it turns out that there’s a whole heap of reasons to oppose GMO’s that have nothing to do with safety. Monsanto’s bullying tactics in an effort to enforce a monopoly and protect their copyright are well-documented, and farmers are not allowed to save their own seed, essentially consigning them to eternal financial dependence on the seed companies. Add to that the fact that Roundup Ready crops are resulting in herbicide-resistant weeds taking over, and that Bt crops are breeding Bt-resistant pests, and you start to see that GMO’s are just a dead end that hurts even those that refuse to use grow them.

@David and Kristen,

Hmmm…agree with both of you. Thanks for the additional thoughts, Kristen; I am with you on the evils of Monsanto, but is this enough reason to distrust the science of GM (as opposed to the practice of it by corps such as Monsanto?)

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I wish there was more to be done than writing the congressional representatives. You only get form letters consisteing of platitudes in response, so it seems a waste of time. The system is so corrupt at this point that only those who make huge contributions are heard. Without MASSIVE campaign finance reform, what’s the point?

Jeffrey Smith is probably the most knowledgeable voice on GM agriculture. If you want to know more about GMOs, check out his website:

http://www.responsibletechnology.org/GMFree/Home/index.cfm

[...] From MARION NESTLE Food Politics [...]

It’s true that money talks in the halls of Congress. Most people are against GMOs. If people speak up against their proliferation – and insist that those already here be labeled as such – there is a chance that the numbers will be significant enough to counter the dollars spent supporting them. After all, it was the citizenry that protested the green light initially given to GMOs when organic rules were being drafted, and they spoke through letter-writing and phone calls, not their wallets.

If this is important to you, call upon your friends, colleagues and relatives to join this most worthwhile fight. It costs nothing to send a few emails or make some phone calls. In fact, you can make several calls; every one is noted, even from the same people. Call or email both of your Senators, your member of Congress, and Sec’y Vilsack. We must fight the good fight. If all is lost we will sleep well knowing we took action. And in this case, it things aren’t reversed, it seems possible that all may well be lost.

Marion – pardon my sophomoric question: If I graft a couple of apple trees together, is that considered GM?

Thank you.

Jeffrey Smith is not the most knowledgeable person on genetic engineering. Two professors put together a website debunking the 65 claims he has made in his latest book:
http://academicsreview.org/reviewed-content/genetic-roulette/