Currently in the United States more than 130 million acres of farmland are being sown with genetically modified seeds. Less than five years ago, there were none. GM (genetically modified) foods or GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are crops that have been altered on a molecular level in laboratories in order to make the plants more resistant to pests and diseases, make them more shelf stable, and, in some cases, make them more nutritious. But are they safe? Environmental hazards, health risks, and economic impact are the top concerns when it comes to GMOs.

Crops can be genetically modified to produce proteins that protect the plants from insects, but pollen from these plants can actually have a negative impact on other organisms. Studies have shown that pollen blown from genetically modified corn fields onto native plants essential to monarch butterflies can cause a high mortality rate among monarch caterpillars that consume the pollen.

Beekeepers have also started to see a 60% to 100% die-out from hives in areas where GM crops are present. Although research is only beginning, one theory is that honeybees are consuming pollen from these crops and then they themselves begin producing the deadly pesticides within their own bodies. Another theory is that the pollen may somehow destroy the bee’s immune system, leaving them vulnerable to disease.

Another environmental hazard is the creation of “superweeds.” GM crops are developed to be resistant to herbicides so that farmers can spray the fields to kill the weeds, but not the crops. As plants cross-pollinate, the herbicide resistant genes can be transferred to weed crops making the weeds resistant to herbicides.

Economically, GMOs can have a huge impact, especially in third-world countries. Agrobiotech companies such as Monsanto, DuPont, Bayer, and Dow are now patenting genetically modified versions of crops. Monsanto has sued more than 500 farmers for patent infringement because pollen from patented crops has been blown into neighboring fields and has cross-pollinated with nonpatented crops. Some farmers have opted to settle out of court but one farmer in Canada has decided to take on Monsanto. If he loses, he could face fines up to $1.2 million. You can read his story at: www.percyschmeiser.com.

Monsanto developed a way to tackle patent infringement by developing a “suicide gene” into GM plants. The plants would only be viable for one growing season and would produce sterile seeds. This would force farmers to purchase new seeds each year, which could be financially devastating to farmers who cannot afford such an annual expense. Thankfully, Monsanto has pledged to abandon research in this type of gene modification. Another concern is that patented seeds will become so expensive that farmers, especially in third-world countries, will not be able to afford them.

Introducing foreign genes into plant foods may also have an impact on human health. The fear is that these modified foods may contain new allergens or cause serious allergic reactions in sensitive people. Another concern is that most GM crops contain antibiotic resistant genes that could make humans more vulnerable to antibiotic resistant bacteria. The FDA does not require significant safety tests for genetically altered foods and the FDA’s own scientists have warned officials that they are ignoring the potential hazards of these foods. Neither the Environmental Protection Agency nor the U.S. Department of Agricultrue require any significant tests for health risks of these crops.

So what can you do? Try to remove GM foods from your diet. Support your local farmers! Radford, Blacksburg, and Pulaski have farmers markets where you can get locally grown (and sometimes organic) produce. Shop at local health food stores such as Annie Kay’s (Blacksburg and Radford), Eats (Blacksburg), and Harvest Moon (Floyd). Kroger stores in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Radford now stock a large selection of organic and natural foods.

Because the FDA does not require GM foods to be labeled as such, look for labels that specifically say they do not contain GMOs. Move your investments out of companies such as Monsanto, DuPont, Bayer, Dow, Novartis and Agrevo [Hoechst and Schering] that produce genetically modified seeds, crops, and foods. Educate yourself, and then share your knowledge.

Genetically modified foods have the potential to solve many world hunger and malnutrition problems because crops can be stronger, more productive, and more nutritious; however, we must proceed with caution and research to insure that these new technologies do not have an irreversible impact on our health, our environment, and our economy.

Please Check Out:

www.cqs.com/50harm.htm

www.foe.org/safefood/

www.thecampaign.org

www.organicconsumers.org/gelink.cfm

www.psrast.org/intro1.htm

Bobby Bell has a degree in Culinary Arts and is currently pursuing a degree in Religious Studies