from the planting of "RoundUp-ready" mandatory labeling of products that tional Organic Program (NOP) rules
crops. Thus millions of acres of farmland contain GMO ingredients. If more peo- prohibit GMOs in organics but don't
are now plagued by superweeds that ple realized the extent to which GMOs require methods to prohibit GMO con-
are destroying the environment, ruining have contaminated the food supply, the tamination or establish thresholds for
crops, and ulti- demand for GMO-free adventitious GM presence" (Roseboro,
mately ruining foods would greatly in- 2007).
farmers' busi- crease. Growers, pro- Many organic companies simply do
nesses. ducers, and retailers not want to undergo the expense and
All industry would surely take notice effort necessary to test their fields for
promises of in- and the market would GMO contamination. Luckily though,
creased yields, correct the problem by some say that it is essential in order to
decreased pes- providing wholesome, maintain integrity. Jack Olson, an organ-
ticide use, and organic options that are ic farmer in North Dakota who grows or-
cures for world free of toxic GMO con- ganic soybeans, wheat, and other crops
hunger have taminants. Transparency says, "It's hard for one organic farmer
proven to be false. Not one claim made in labeling would do much to curb the to fight Monsanto." But Olson does be-
by the biotechnology industry concern- use of GMOs. cause he is committed to organic agri-
ing the benefits of GMOs has proven culture. "At least we're clean, that's why
true. Independent scientific reports con- But Is It Really Organic? we grow organic. It's God's way," he
tinue to show that industry assertions in says. (Roseboro, 2007)
favor of GMOs are patently false. Unfortunately, even foods labeled The American Academy of Envi-
Pesticide residue in foods that con- "organic" are allowed a percentage of ronmental Medicine (AAEM) states,
tain GMO ingredients is also significant. GMO contamination. "Genetically Modified foods have not
Such pesticides are linked to reproduc- "EU Agricultural Ministers have de- been properly tested and pose a serious
tive abnormalities, neurological dis- cided to allow organic food accidentally health risk. There is more than a casual
orders, birth defects, and other bodily contaminated with genetically modified association between GM foods and ad-
harm. GMOs themselves are also impli- organisms to be classified as organic as verse health effects. There is causation."
cated in a host of bodily disorders includ- long as the GMO presence is less than The AAEM also called for a moratorium
ing digestive problems and the perpetu- 0.9%" (Shield, 2007). on GMOs in food and for physicians to
ation of GMO fragments in the body. No In the United States, "the U.S. Na- advise their patients to avoid GM foods.
long-term studies have ever verified the
safety of GMOs and most independent
research proves them to be dangerous in
a number of different ways.
Not only can GMO food be harm-
ful to the animals that eat it, but it also
has the potential to overcome the crops
around it. Insects, birds, and wind carry
Helping
seeds into neighboring fields and be- keep families safe
yond. This is cross-pollination, and can-
from dangerous mold
not be controlled in an outdoor environ-
ment. Genetically engineered plants are
and allergens
no exception to this. The pollen from
GM plants can cross-pollinate with nor-
mal plants and contaminate entire fields.
With the proliferation of GM crops, this
is a real danger.
In 1996, there were approximately
6,563 square miles of farmland in the
world devoted to GMO crops. In 2006,
there were 393,828 square miles de-
voted to GMO crops (GMO Compass,
2007). This is a 5900% increase in land
devoted to GMO crops in a 10-year
period! At this rate, the amount of GM ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS GROUP
crops will double in the next ten years, Air Quality • Indoor Environment Assessments
not including cross-pollination factors.
Americans must step up and demand
336.373.1538 www.esgtesting.com
FEBRUARY 2010
33
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