To GMO or not to GMO

By Phillip Percival

We at LEN are not necessary against GMO products (genetically modified organisms) but we do feel they need to be carefully researched and fully tested independently and documented transparently before being released to the public. Besides the immediate safety of using GMO products there are often a lot of environmental questions to consider. For example: When GMO technology is applied to crops, can insects become immune to the proteomic effects designed into the plants. Does that make them harder for organic farmers to control ? Additionally if GMO designers make a plant resistant to herbicides so it can be drenched in stronger poisons over its lifetime, how are the fruit or grains that the plant produces affected? Who gets to decide how much herbicide in our diet is ok? Perhaps the voting public should get more of a say.

That we already consume pesticides and herbicides in our commercial food supply is well documented. We are told that the amounts are so small that it doesn't matter. It is true that the body is remarkably resilient and can take a lot of dietary and chemical abuse but long term effects are difficult to measure. In any case, it seems unlikely anyone could be convinced to voluntarily lick a spoon sprayed with even miniscule amounts of raw pesticide. Ultimately, people should be able to decide if they want to endorse GMO products. Obfuscating choice by blocking or hiding important information is simply not democratic.

Traditional commercial farming practices have become unsustainable by some measures. The use of more herbicides and pesticides can only impact the environment adversely.

To believe in democracy and capitalism is to believe in letting the people and the consumer decide what they want from their corporate community and government institutions. Consequently products containing GMO ingredients should be labelled and documented properly so that consumers can make informed decisions about what they are buying. Hiding the truth isn't freedom, it is dictatorship.

Follow these links for more information about how to shop to avoid pesticides and herbicides: Shoppers Guide, The 10 worst GMO foods.