Is human gene-splicing next? Hello GMO
Apr 8, 2011 / 1:00 pm
This is science fiction come to life. It is now possible to mate with anything, thanks to scientifically created GMOs (genetically modified organisms). Thank you science?
Normally, nature has rules about reproduction. Humans can only mate with other humans and cannot mate with any other species to create offspring and the same is true for all species. However, science has found a way to breed together anything and everything with a technology called gene-splicing.
The opinions about GMOs are varied. The biotech companies say they are necessary to feed the world, but they own the patents and stand to gain billions from it. Geneticist David Suzuki is clear in his opinion and has recently been quoted as saying that genetic experiments “should be done under carefully monitored lab conditions, not out in the environment.” David Suzuki also said ” I am most definitely not in favour of release of GMOs in the food stream and given that it's too late, I favour complete labeling of GMO products.”
"What bothers me is we have governments that are supposed to be looking out for our health, for the safety of our environment, and they’re acting like cheerleaders for this technology, which is in its infancy and we have no idea what the technology is going to do. The experiments simply haven’t been done, and now we have become the guinea pigs.”
Scientists bend the rules of nature and recombine life in unusual combinations. These new genetically modified organisms include GM pigs that have genes from mice and E-coli bacteria called the Enviropig and GM salmon that have genes from an eel-like creature. These two examples of genetic modification are currently waiting for government approval before they can be put on supermarket shelves.
Other GMOs are already on the supermarket shelves. These are now a part of our food supply: GM corn, GM canola, GM soy and GM sugar beet (for making sugar). These food crops have been genetically altered to produce pesticides from within the plant and/or are resistant to being sprayed with herbicides. Consumers were not consulted by the politicians before these ‘Round Up Ready’ food crops were introduced to the general food supply. Worse, consumers don’t know when they are buying genetically modified food as it is not labeled. In Europe GMO food requires a label.
Not all farmers have switched over to using the patented GM seeds and some refuse to plant them at all. There is an agricultural ‘war’ going on in the farming community over GMOs. The problem is that farmers who don’t plant genetically modified seeds have no way of stopping the wind and some genetically modified seeds have blown onto their fields and have grown. You would expect these farmers could sue for damages since their fields are contaminated, but instead they are sued for patent infringement! Percy Schmeiser is one such farmer and he fought this injustice all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. The judgment was that if any GMO seeds get onto your land by whatever means, the corporation that holds the patent owns the crop and its profits. That seems grossly unjust.
Who wins? The biotech corporations like Monsanto that produce the patented seeds seem to be the winners. Who loses? The farmers growing both regular and organic crops lose their export markets if contaminated with gene-altered seeds as Europe won’t import GM crops for health and environmental reasons.
Now, there is another dark cloud gathering over the farming community, and that is the possible acceptance of yet another genetically modified crop. The next food crop that the giant multinational company Monsanto is trying to have approved is alfalfa. If approved, “We will see the organic farm community decimated across the country,” said Arnold Taylor, spokesperson for the Canadian Organic growers.
Important debates have even reached the House of Commons. Unfortunately, the government voted down Bill C474 this spring, and in March, the Conservative party blocked a moratorium on genetically modified alfalfa. All other parties had supported the motion to restrict GMO alfalfa. The government has already voted down two separate bills for labeling of GMO food. Why? Are they afraid we won’t buy genetically modified food if we had a right to choose?
Percy Schmeiser is certain in his views and has become an international symbol and spokesperson for the movement against the genetic engineering of food. He is coming to Kelowna April 9th and 10th. Saturday April 9th he will he giving a live presentation at Okanagan College at 6:30 pm, and on Sunday April 10th he will appear at the ‘No to GMO’ Awareness rally hosted by the True Food Foundation at the Sails statue at 2:00 pm. There is no charge for either event, but donations are appreciated.
Written by Heidi Osterman CN (certified nutritionist) and President of the True Food Foundation.
