My fiance lives almost a 100 miles away, and a couple of times a month, I drive across the state of Mississippi to see
him. This time of year, cotton is in bloom and miles of fields look like they've been dusted with a light layer
of snow. And in between the frosted rows of cotton are warm green acres of soybeans. The scenery is completely enchanting,
but it may not be completely innocent.
The Pew Initative on Food and Biotechnology reports that in 2003, 92% of the cotton and 89% of the soybeans grown in
Mississippi were genetically modified (GM). (1)
The United States leads the world in the production of GM crops. In 2002, 145 million acres worldwide grew GM produce
and four countries cultivated 99% of the crops: United States (66%), Argentina (23%), Canada (6%) and China (4%) ( 4)
The supporters of GM foods argue that the benefits of these new crops include improved taste, quality and nutritional
values, increased resistance to pesticides and disease, and even that it will prove to be the answer to world hunger. ( 2, 3)
Critics, on the other hand maintain that the safety of GM has not been demostrated and that they could be more toxic
and more carcinogenic than traditional foods. They also claim that GM foods pose serious environmental and
social threats, including the risks that GM crops spread to the wild, endanger ecosystems, breed more resistant pests
and bacteria, and that giant biotech companies will gain more and more powerful.
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GMO 101 Genetically modified or engineered organisms (GMO) contain inserted DNA material from another organism.
Genetically
modified food (GMF) is a product whose content includes a GMO.
Americans consume GM Argentine and Polish canola, carnations, chicory,
corn, cotton, flax, melon, papaya, potatoes, pumpkin, rice, soy, squash, strawberries, sugar beets, tobacco, tomatoes &
wheat.
The debate about the benefits of GM products will no doubt wage on for years to come. To me it seems clear that no matter
how one feels about the issues, consumers should be able to make the choose between GM and non-GM products. Please take a
moment to learn more about the labeling movement:
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