Monsanto (thanks HBO6!)

I found this link from HBO6's post concerning Leonardo's website. This link provides the user with an opportunity to advise Monsanto about their thoughts regarding the genetically modified crops (GMO) that Monsanto is shoving down our throats.

Yes, GMO's have the potential to feed poor countries and provide more nutrient rich crops to these devastated areas. But the ill's of these crops are:

1. That they remain largely unstudied and have not been proven safe for human consumption often times. A few years ago they had to terminate growing a specific crop and recall the product as it was causing major allergies in a lot of unsuspecting consumers.

2. No one is yet assured that these crops cannot escape into our natural areas and render our native species extinct. Some of these crops are made to resist the effects of herbicides. Besides rooting the plant, how does one get rid of an invasive, unruly specie without herbicide? This could prove to be an economic catastrophe.

3. Often time the GMO is spliced with pesticides (as is most corn). Most, if not all, pesticides can cause cancer. As an example, if you eat corn, you're ingesting the pesticide gene BT.

4. There are records of farmers growing modified crops to deter specific pests from attacking the crop only to find out that another pest "moves in" and wreaks havoc. The end result is that just and much, and sometimes more, pesticides are introduced on the crop to control the unexpected visitor.

5. They're now talking about manufacturing onions that don't emit the compound that causes one's eyes to tear when cutting them. I have to wonder if this act is also tampering with the nutrition of the crop(s).

6. They're a bully. They harass small, family farmers and are trying to weaken organic labeling. Small farmers cannot adequately defend themselves against the likes of Monsanto.

If you want to boycott Monsanto, purchase only organically grown produce and send your thoughts to them via the link below.


http://www.organicconsumers.org/monlink.cfm

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(HBO6 @ Oct 30 2006, 01:08 PM) [snapback]340652[/snapback]</div>

Imagine going hiking in a beautiful natural area, leaving with a peaceful serenity, getting in your rental car to go get a nice bite to eat and seeing a mountain that was pillaged. This was my first introduction to the practice. Such a horrific sight. For anyone not aware, or for those who care to know if signing a petition is a meaninful cause, here are pictures of the practice.

http://www.tlpj.org/images/mining2.jpg

http://www.biology.duke.edu/bio217/2005/se...fordMined13.jpg