The proliferation of genetically-modified foods has put agriculture at a crossroads in Ohio and around the country, and some believe it is also putting food safety at risk.
Andrew Kimbrell, founder of the Center for Food Safety, says genetically-modified or "GMO" crops can contaminate organic and conventional crops, hurt other organisms, and affect human health. He says GMO crops also are becoming more pest- and weed-resistant, leading to greater use of pesticides and herbicides.
"They're ratcheting up the toxic spiral of the herbicides they're using. So, in the future, unless we stop these GMO crops, we're going to see more and more of these more toxic herbicides poured on our crops. That means it's in our air; that means it's in our water; that means it's in our food; and that means it's in our bodies."
Last year, the USDA approved unrestricted use of genetically-engineered alfalfa, the nation's fourth-largest crop. Kimbrell says the decision sends a message that no federal agency is looking out for food safety.
"I think what you are seeing with the FDA, the USDA and even the EPA is that these are agencies that are really working to benefit a handful of major chemical companies and not really acting on behalf of the American consumer, which is what they are supposed to be doing."
Kimbrell says polls indicate the public wants genetically-engineered foods to be clearly labeled. And Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich recently introduced the "Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act," which would require such labeling.
Kimbrell cites GMO crops as one factor contributing to the larger problems of industrial agriculture. In his view, consumers and farmers need to work together and get back to basics, to build a lasting food future.
"We need agriculture that's local, appropriate-scale, diverse, humane and socially just. That's the 'beyond organic' vision, and it's not pie in the sky. We're going to have to do this, because the other system is simply unsustainable."
Supporters of genetically-modified foods say they can help end the scourge of hunger and can help a farmer's bottom line. Opponents counter that they could be dangerous, and that there aren't regulations in place to manage them responsibly.
Kimbrell will speak at the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Conference on February 19 in Granville.
More information is at oeffa.org.
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/24580-1
Andrew Kimbrell, founder of the Center for Food Safety, says genetically-modified or "GMO" crops can contaminate organic and conventional crops, hurt other organisms, and affect human health. He says GMO crops also are becoming more pest- and weed-resistant, leading to greater use of pesticides and herbicides.
"They're ratcheting up the toxic spiral of the herbicides they're using. So, in the future, unless we stop these GMO crops, we're going to see more and more of these more toxic herbicides poured on our crops. That means it's in our air; that means it's in our water; that means it's in our food; and that means it's in our bodies."
Last year, the USDA approved unrestricted use of genetically-engineered alfalfa, the nation's fourth-largest crop. Kimbrell says the decision sends a message that no federal agency is looking out for food safety.
"I think what you are seeing with the FDA, the USDA and even the EPA is that these are agencies that are really working to benefit a handful of major chemical companies and not really acting on behalf of the American consumer, which is what they are supposed to be doing."
Kimbrell says polls indicate the public wants genetically-engineered foods to be clearly labeled. And Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich recently introduced the "Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act," which would require such labeling.
Kimbrell cites GMO crops as one factor contributing to the larger problems of industrial agriculture. In his view, consumers and farmers need to work together and get back to basics, to build a lasting food future.
"We need agriculture that's local, appropriate-scale, diverse, humane and socially just. That's the 'beyond organic' vision, and it's not pie in the sky. We're going to have to do this, because the other system is simply unsustainable."
Supporters of genetically-modified foods say they can help end the scourge of hunger and can help a farmer's bottom line. Opponents counter that they could be dangerous, and that there aren't regulations in place to manage them responsibly.
Kimbrell will speak at the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Conference on February 19 in Granville.
More information is at oeffa.org.
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/24580-1
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