GMO Foods are Killing Our Planet

The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) is supposed to protect our food. Yet, a large percentage of the population do not know what goes into their food. GMOs, sewer sludge, and pesticides are just some of the things that slip through their guard and into public circulation.

GMOs, also known as GEs, stand for Genetically modified foods, or genetically engineered foods. The process in which food is genetically modified in widely unknown, and also largely disturbing. The company doing the deed must first take unpatented seeds

to the US patent office to get it patented.( This in itself is disturbing, and is discussed later in the article.)After a patent is granted, the gene must be reconfigured. The genetic sequence is broken by using viruses such as e. coli.(Note: This goes into the food you eat.) Other genes can then be inserted to “benefit” the crop.

Companies at the head of the ‘genetic revolution’, such as Monsanto, refuse requests to label GE foods. Allergic reactions range from mild to severe. Long term affects of eating GE foods are unknown, although studies are being conducted.

*Other Countries:

The United States is shipping GE foods to other countries against their will. A risk of contamination is posed, and possible collapse of the food chain is another danger posed.

WILDLIFE: HOW DOES THIS AFFECT OTHER SPECIES?

Several tests have been done regarding the affects of GE consumption of animals. These tests have not been released to the American public, as ordered by Monsanto.

Rats eating ‘The Flavor Saver Tomato’ (which was taken off the market in the late 1990s) developed stomach lesions. Monarch butterfly caterpillars eating GE pollen died unexpectedly.

Companies like Monsanto are proposing to Genetically modify fish, insects, cattle, and other wildlife. The implications on the ecosystem are unknown. Some scientist predict that if GE organisms are released into the mainstream population, some wild organisms could be extinct within 40 generations.

THE TERMINATOR GENE

The terminator gene was designed only to last for one season. They effectively commit ‘suicide’ after this time. The seeds become infertile and are useless to next years crop, so that the farmer is forced to buy new seeds every year. Monsanto argues that the terminator gene will not get loose. Monsanto is forced to reconsider after the seed does, in fact get lose. They came up with a new technology to counter this gene, but it proves ineffective.

If this gene were to get loose, and into circulation, it would cause serious problems. Farmers would no longer be able to save seed. This could possibly mean the end of conventional agriculture. The majority of the world population would starve to death. The long term implications of this gene are not bright.

MORAL IMPLICATIONS: ETHICAL ISSUES

The ethical issues of patenting life have been poorly discussed. Our constitution outlaws this, but yet, it is occurring. What happens is that whoever patents the gene ‘owns’ the gene. Where ever that gene goes, the patent follows. This means that if a seed with the gene grows in a field, the patentee still ‘owns’ that gene. This could possibly mean that if that gene is in a person the patentee ‘owns’ that person.

The idea of ‘owning’ life, and patenting it is considered ethically wrong. Also, the extent of the patent has caused hardships for farmers. Even if the seed is there by natural processes, the patentee is able to file a lawsuit against the owner of the field. They have even gone so far as to go on the farmers property illegally to sample the crops.

EARTHS FUTURE WITH GENETIC MODIFICATION

What does the future hold for GE products? What is Earths future with GE products? This is a future worth considering; a future that our governments don’t want you to know. Earth is at stake. Countless millions are unaware of this problem. The ongoing battle of GE products will continue to be waged, but you can do something about it. One voice in the crowd is not strong enough to be heard. Join the battle against GE products. Tell others of the secret the government doesn’t want you to know.