Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs) have been a hotly debated item in recent times. For more basic info about them, check out some of my previous posts. The most recent news in the world of GMOs happened last week when the USDA announced that it would allow unlimited planting of the controversial genetically modified Roundup-Ready alfalfa that is marketed by Monsanto. As of right now, this battle is only dealing with the controversial Roundup-ready alfalfa, and not all of Monsanto's GMO seeds. However, the way that this particular crop is dealt with will likely set a precedent for other Monsanto crops that follow.
Most organic companies heavily oppose this decision, but the word on the street is that Whole Foods Market, Organic Valley and Stoneyfield Farms have decided that it is time to surrender to Monsanto and stop fighting the deregulation of the genetically engineered alfalfa. It is said that these companies are now trying to "coexist" with Monsanto and are now fighting for regulation of this crop instead of fighting for banning it all together. This organic consumers article discusses some of the possible reasons why these big organic companies might be selling out on their ideals, which includes (of course) money and campaign contributions, as well as the fact that many of Whole Foods non-organic products are already contaminated with GMOs.
As I read this article, I became a little suspicious that maybe this wasn't telling both sides of the story. I talked with some friends who work for Whole Foods, and their side of the story is that Whole Foods didn't "surrender" to Monsanto. Once they knew that the USDA was going to allow unlimited planting of the alfalfa, Whole Foods and the others switched from fighting against the alfalfa to fighting to regulating it. In other words, once they knew they had lost the battle, they chose the next best thing to fight for, which is regulation. So who do we believe?
I don't often shop at Whole Foods (I support our local organic grocery instead), and I know that their mass marketing of organic has been a double edged sword. On the one hand, it is great that more people now have access to organic foods and have more choices in what they are putting into their bodies. On the other hand, like Michael Pollan says, these "big organic" companies are also changing what we perceive as organic and using it as a marketing scheme instead. So while your milk may be called "organic", those cows being fed organic grains could still be factory farmed. Or those "organic" bananas may not be grown with pesticides, but may have unjust working conditions for those who grow them. Anyways, I guess my point is that while I don't necessarily believe that these companies just gave the green light for approval for Monsanto's alfalfa, maybe they didn't put up as big as a fight as they should have.... I hate that we can't seem to trust anyone anymore, whether it is the grocery chain we are buying our food from, the USDA who is supposed to exist to protect us, or the world's biggest seed company who is quietly trying to take over the world.
GMOs have not been adequately tested for long term effects on humans or the environment and they are particularly problematic because plants breed... this means that GMO crops can easily contaminate non-GMO crops.... which means that we may eventually contaminate all of our natural seed stock with genetically modified seed. Why is this bad? Well, it not only narrows down the gene pool and makes us more susceptible to food crises (think the potato famine here people...), but let's say we do find out 15 years down the road that these GMOs are causing health problems? If it has already spread through the seed gene pool, it will be too late for us to do anything about it.
So, did the big organic companies sell out? To be honest, I have no idea. I think the USDA (aka: OUR government) is the one who is the real sellout. In the meantime, I will continue to support locally grown organic food as much as possible and hope that I am doing enough to keep my family safe!
What are your thoughts on GMOs? How do you feel about big organic?
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