Gardeners are close to nature. They love the never-gets-old miracle of a tiny seed growing into a sturdy plant. Organic gardeners enrich the soil and find ways to avoid chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. They try hard to protect living things that surround a garden - soil organisms, bees and butterflies and other beneficial insects, earthworms, and birds. They, especially, value being able to buy non GMO seeds online.
It seems that genetic-modification is everywhere these days. This technology has not been proved safe by research, because it's relatively new to the marketplace. Rather, the planet is a giant laboratory. Signs like declining butterflies and bees are not widely publicized. Many choose to avoid foods that contain added genes or altered DNA, the molecule that governs reproduction and growth. All genetically-modified organisms cannot reproduce and are actually the polar opposite of 'natural'.
The goal is stated as increasing crop yields to feed a growing world population. However, many see a money motive behind the push for GMOs. Take modified soybeans, for instance. They can grow with a formerly lethal application of Roundup. The company that produces the seed makes money, and the herbicide manufacturer sells more of its product. The cost to the environment and the consumer is unknown.
Unfortunately, the 'green' movement is relatively silent on this subject. This is ironic, since it started with opposition to pesticides like DDT which were poisoning air, water, and soil while harming all life on the planet in the process. Birds were dying, as the pesticide made their shells so weak no young survived. Fish were dying in rivers and oceans. Neighborhoods were routinely sprayed to suppress mosquitoes. Farming was less labor-intensive, but it became - and still is - the unhealthiest profession.
One could conclude from their silence that the companies that manufacture altered seeds and chemicals used in farming are large donors. Americans should pay attention to the European attitude to genetically-modified foods. Europeans are pretty much opposed to the whole idea. Another problem is the use of systemic pesticides, which become part of the plant they protect. Since countries in the European Common Market have banned their use, the bees have returned to sustainable populations.
Concerned consumers should support the small operations that sell heirloom or organic seed that is not altered. Since GMOs are patented products, most catalog-sale companies don't market modified seed either. However, unless there is an organic label or heirloom guarantee, consumers must ask before assuming anything. Ask customer service before buying.
All of us love volunteer plants that come back year after year in established gardens. Some gardeners have cherry tomatoes that their grandfathers planted; sweet potatoes endure for generations when soil conditions are right. With GMOs, saving seed or having it lie dormant over the winter and then sprout is impossible. This, of course, gives the technology owners great control over the world's food supply.
Remember that organic seed will not be modified. Neither will heirloom varieties. Otherwise it's buyer beware if you want to avoid modified seed or plants. Make sure to ask before you buy seed for your own home garden.
It seems that genetic-modification is everywhere these days. This technology has not been proved safe by research, because it's relatively new to the marketplace. Rather, the planet is a giant laboratory. Signs like declining butterflies and bees are not widely publicized. Many choose to avoid foods that contain added genes or altered DNA, the molecule that governs reproduction and growth. All genetically-modified organisms cannot reproduce and are actually the polar opposite of 'natural'.
The goal is stated as increasing crop yields to feed a growing world population. However, many see a money motive behind the push for GMOs. Take modified soybeans, for instance. They can grow with a formerly lethal application of Roundup. The company that produces the seed makes money, and the herbicide manufacturer sells more of its product. The cost to the environment and the consumer is unknown.
Unfortunately, the 'green' movement is relatively silent on this subject. This is ironic, since it started with opposition to pesticides like DDT which were poisoning air, water, and soil while harming all life on the planet in the process. Birds were dying, as the pesticide made their shells so weak no young survived. Fish were dying in rivers and oceans. Neighborhoods were routinely sprayed to suppress mosquitoes. Farming was less labor-intensive, but it became - and still is - the unhealthiest profession.
One could conclude from their silence that the companies that manufacture altered seeds and chemicals used in farming are large donors. Americans should pay attention to the European attitude to genetically-modified foods. Europeans are pretty much opposed to the whole idea. Another problem is the use of systemic pesticides, which become part of the plant they protect. Since countries in the European Common Market have banned their use, the bees have returned to sustainable populations.
Concerned consumers should support the small operations that sell heirloom or organic seed that is not altered. Since GMOs are patented products, most catalog-sale companies don't market modified seed either. However, unless there is an organic label or heirloom guarantee, consumers must ask before assuming anything. Ask customer service before buying.
All of us love volunteer plants that come back year after year in established gardens. Some gardeners have cherry tomatoes that their grandfathers planted; sweet potatoes endure for generations when soil conditions are right. With GMOs, saving seed or having it lie dormant over the winter and then sprout is impossible. This, of course, gives the technology owners great control over the world's food supply.
Remember that organic seed will not be modified. Neither will heirloom varieties. Otherwise it's buyer beware if you want to avoid modified seed or plants. Make sure to ask before you buy seed for your own home garden.
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