There are also serious legal issues in the biotech industry that are centered around the patent protection of GM seeds as intellectual property. This US Supreme Court ruling gave companies like Monsanto the legal wherewithal to prosecute non-participating or compliant farmers with theft of intellectual property, resulting in hundreds of lawsuits. Based on spurious accusations that claim that conventional farmers, whose crops had likely been contaminated with GM seed through naturally occurring pollination, stole Monsanto GM seed (Corn, Soy, Sugar Beets and now, Alfalfa) even though there could be zero incentive for them to do so. Hundreds of farmers have been bankrupted by these suits, that often originate with undercover Monsanto operatives infiltrating the community under false pretenses and even contacting farmers at AA meetings. Several thousand farmers in India have committed suicide as a result of a disastrous investment in the promise of biotech riches. Recent USDA rulings for GM Alfalfa and Sugar Beets threaten to contaminate the certified organic Alfalfa critical to the organic market.
This situation is really bad but it is not hopeless. Even though more than 90% of corn and soy grown in the US is genetically modified, and the dominance of Roundup Ready seed and pesticide presents two formidable corporate adversaries, people still have the ability to push back in a meaningful way. But, we have to pay attention and get in the game!
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_22991.cfm
Here is a link to the OCA action page for those who want to get involved in the fight against GMOs.
http://organicconsumers.org/action.cfm
Why not follow this article up with a few useful links and/or suggestions about how to get involved?
ReplyDeleteMarla
Hi, Maria. I have posted stories with action links in the past on this subject, and the story page has a link on it. But I agree there should have been something in the post to make it easier for people to get involved. I will add a link and post follow-up stories and action updates on this topic that I am committed to following. Thanks for your comment...
ReplyDeleteThis is very serious thing which you have found that genetically modified and transgenic food. Such that it is not only in the US but this is also occurring in many countries also .But these foods are so commonplace and most of us have been eating them for the past 15 years without many apparent side effects.
ReplyDeleteWhile it is true that we have mostly been eating GMOs for 15 years that doesn't mean that they are safe. There are a lot of negative effects from these crops and foods on people and the environment. For example, the incidence of food allergies has exploded in this country over this time, and there are indications that sterility haas increased as a result of these foods. The most scary thing is that we do not know because there has been no testing for safety by our government. These foods are being forced on us by industry and the USDA and the potential harm is great. Also, the idea of patenting seeds and controlling the world's food supply is abhorrent. We must assert our civil rights to influence policy and at the very least achieve labeling laws so we will know what we are eating, as they have in the EU, Japan, New Zealand and other countries.
ReplyDelete