From Truth About Trade Technology:
“Alteration of crops is widespread, producing plants with higher yields, less need for pesticides and other desirable qualities. And, many scientists say, such crops are as safe as any other.
To the naked eye, the white puffs of cotton growing on shrubs, the yellow flowers on canola plants and the towering tassels on cornstalks look just like those on any other plants. But inside their cells, where their DNA contains instructions for how these crops should grow, there are a few genes that were put there not by Mother Nature but by scientists in a lab.
Some of the genes are from a soil bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis that makes proteins lethal to flies, moths and other insects. Others are from the soil bacteriumAgrobacterium that programs plants to make a key enzyme that isnโt vulnerable to a popular weed killer. These modifications allow farmers to grow crops with easier weed control and fewer pest-killing chemicals.
To an increasingly vocal group of consumers, this genetic tinkering is a major source of anxiety. They worry that eating engineered foods could be bad for their health or cause unanticipated environmental problems. At the very least, they insist, they deserve the right to know whether the foods they might buy contain genetically modified ingredients.
In California, this unease has culminated in Proposition 37. If approved on Nov. 6, the initiative would require many grocery store items containing genetically modified ingredients to carry labels.
But among scientists, there is widespread agreement that such crops arenโt dangerous. The plants, they say, are as safe as those generated for centuries by conventional breeding and, in the 20th century, by irradiating plant material, exposing it to chemical mutagens or fusing cells together to produce plants with higher grain yields, resistance to frost and other desirable properties. Now they want to insert other genes into plants to make them more nutritious, resistant to drought or able to capture nitrogen from the air so they require less fertilizer, among other useful traits.”
Keep reading here.
Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
What a bunch of #$%#$%#$%#!!! Why not list these scientists and their independence from dupont or monsanto. If the food kills bugs and other pests, why would it be good for us to eat it?
If you read the article you would see who the scientists are that were quoted in the article. You may also want to read this list: http://www.noprop37.com/about/. It has a bunch of people opposed to California's Prop 37, including scientists and academics. Also, if you're not sure of the difference between bugs and human beings, this video my shine some light for you: https://www.thefarmersdaughterusa.com/2012/10/chic…. Otherwise I hope you stick around and continue to learn!
Hi Amanda. I really hope that you will look closely into the issues of gene insertion. The evidence is growing that these gene tampered foods have their DNA chains severely altered. The long term studies are showing that there are concerns that need to be addressed. The article here has much information that is in dispute. The use of roundup is increasing. Resistance is an issue that will continually distance food producers and consumers from balance and health. Butterflys, bees, and birds are effected in ways that are in sharp opposition to the article's statements.I have already made my decision. I avoid GMO's as often as possible. I inform other people about the issue frequently and I support wholesome foods that have not been modified. I have begun gardening because I can condition my soil to produce crops that taste far better than a corporate owned farm can. In the future, the current misguided steps that biotech companies have made will be well known.
Octave, so far there is absolutely no credible study which shows there is a problem with GMOs short or long term. We have been using this stuff for the past 25 years and have not seen the horrific consequences people claim. I completely disagree that any of the information you listed has been disputed (butterfly, bees, and birds are not adversely affected….you're mixing up your stuff). I know, science can be scary (look at all the people that reject vaccines!). But it is far better to learn and educate yourself instead of trying to spread misinformation. I sincerely hope you will stick around and figure a little bit more out about the realities of farming. I think you have a lot to learn because of your comment on corporate farms. Please read my other post on this and educate yourself regarding what a corporate farm really is (hint: 90% of the time corporate farms are family farms!). <a href="https://www.thefarmersdaughterusa.com/2012/10/piercing-corporate-farm-myth.htmlhttps://www.thefarmersdaughterusa.com/2012/10/pier… />As for that, I'm sure if you ever had the chance to taste produce from our farm, you certainly would agree it is the best!!