Historical
GM food: David and Goliath
March Against Monsanto is a world-wide call to action on Saturday 25 May 2013. For a march near you, see the March Against Monsanto Event List.
World scientists’ statement concerning GMOs
Genetic modification of food
We wrote a blog in 2011 on the genetic modification of food. Rather than repeating ourselves, please see here: ‘Genetic modification of food: yes or no?’
A complicated web
GM food is a complex topic that goes way beyond biotech issues.
It embraces social and economic concerns (e.g. food security; world hunger; farmer debt; farmer suicide; treatment of independent farmers; GMO infiltration of organically and conventionally grown crops; superior traditional growing methods versus GM; less choice for people unable to buy organic; unlabelled GM ingredients in processed and fast foods; etc.).
It embraces health concerns (e.g. farmers’ health; Seralini’s studies; study showing Bt toxin in human blood; unknown long-term effects of eating novel GM foods; lack of rigorous safety testing of GM foods; etc.).
It embraces environmental concerns (e.g. pesticides; pesticide-producing plants; bee colony collapse; threats to biodiversity; rain forest destruction; soil health; climate change; unforeseeable consequences of mating between GM- and non-GM organisms in the wild; inability to recall GMOs once they have been let loose; etc.).
It embraces legal and political concerns (patenting of GM and non-GM seeds; labeling (and non-labeling) of GM foods; “Monsanto Protection Act”; conflicts of interest at the FDA; corporate subsidies; political leverage; etc.).
It abandons the precautionary principle.
It raises questions regarding who ultimately controls the world’s food supply, now and in the future.
David and Goliath: what can you do about it?
So diverse are issues relating to GM that engaging with them can seem overwhelming. Taking action is easier than you might think, though.
It comes down to three things: awareness, activism and penny power.
The most powerful thing you can do is essentially personal: choosing how to spend your sponds.
Goliath needs a market for his goods. But David is that market. It might take time but awareness + resisting attempts at control + refusing to buy Goliath’s goods = Mr G is (ultimately) stuffed.
Awareness
Below are some useful websites that outline GM-related issues:
GM-related
- GMWatch
- gm-free ireland
- GeneWatch UK
- Friends of the Earth Europe
- Greenpeace Ireland: genetic engineering
- Alliance for Natural Health Europe: Say NO to GM
- GMWatch: ’10 reasons why we don’t need GM foods’
- ‘Top 10 worst GMO foods’
- ‘The growing global challenge to Monsanto’s monopolistic greed’
- Select Stores: ‘What countries have banned Genetically Modified GMO Crops?’
- Non-GMO Shopping Guide
- Movie: ‘Genetic roulette: the gamble of our lives’
- ‘Over 800 world scientists agree: GM crops are nothing short of a bio-war on our food’
Many of these groups are on Facebook and Twitter, too.
Non-GM-seed-related
- ‘The four steps required to keep Monsanto OUT of your garden’
- Campaign for Seed-Sovereignty: proposed EU law controlling traditional seeds
Activism
Awareness is the first step to action. Activist ideas include:
- Becoming a social/political activist:
- Calling for the banning of all GM food crops and cotton
- Demanding current labeling of GMOs so consumers can make informed decisions
- Calling for further independent scientific research into the health effects of GMOs
- Protesting the introduction, and calling for the repealing, of laws that strengthen corporate influence over the food supply (e.g. patenting of GM and non-GM seeds and genetic material; fighting the EU’s proposed law restricting traditional seed varieties; repealing relevant provisions of the US’s so-called “Monsanto Protection Act”; etc.)
- Using social media, direct communication, grassroots journalism, etc. to spread awareness and activism
- Signing petitions, both GM-related and traditional seed-related
- See here for more ideas: Select Stores: ’15 Ways to take a stand against Monsanto and avoid GMO foods’
- Becoming a quiet/private activist:
- Planting a garden using organic, heirloom (if possible) seeds – even if mung bean sprouts and mint are your limit, growing one’s own food is an act of resistance on practical and symbolic levels.
- Checking out community gardening projects
- Exploring indoor/urban gardening websites for innovative ideas
Penny power
The Bottom Line: spend wisely.
Check out the Non-GMO Shopping Guide (largely US-based).
Although other GM crops exist, the Big Five are soya, corn (maize), oilseed rape (Canola), sugar from sugar beets and cotton. Try to find certified organic cotton. Avoid the food crops (as whole foods and ingredients) unless 100% certified organic (view ‘Invisible GM Ingredients’ here). Aspartame is also GM and should be avoided.
While not definitive, the following lists may help consumers (especially in the US) choose organic and avoid GM respectively: GMO Awareness: ‘GMO-Free Brands’ and ‘Comprehensive List of GMO Products’.
Be aware that processed foods, fast foods and animal feed can contain unlabelled GMOs.
Cook from scratch using whole foods. Support supermarkets that guarantee their meat, fowl, fish and dairy products come from animals fed a non-GM diet. Boycott those that do not. Tell them why.
Buy from shops and farmers you trust. Support local, organic farmers’ markets. Their produce can be cheaper because they cut out the middleman. Support health food shops and local businesses owned by conscientious people.
Choose certified organic foods, if possible, as these are currently GM-free. Supermarkets often sell reasonably priced organics, which can occasionally be cheaper than conventional ranges.
In the end…
…taking action, no matter how small, makes a bigger impact than you might imagine. Awareness, activism and penny power are the stones that hit Goliath where it hurts.
Pssst!
The Hopsack is a GMO-free zone. We now carry luscious produce, some of which comes from our very own organic farm. Nom nom…
