Post #4: Genetically-modified food

[mattwade]

Believe it or not, much of the food we eat is genetically-modified. This means that an animal's or a plant's DNA contains a foreign gene that changes one or more of the organism's traits (for example, many plant crops possess a gene that allows them to withstand heavy pesticide use). Genetically-modified food could potentially sicken people because the foreign genes might contain unknown allergens. Also, certain properties of the foreign genes might awaken dormant viruses in human DNA. GM food can also harm the environment by supplanting native species, thus impacting natural diversity. Farmers can suffer financially from high payments to biotech companies for growing GM crops on their land (even if they don't intend to grow the crops). Unfortunately, the FDA and USDA have denied that GM food is dangerous, and these agencies do not enforce strict safety testing of new genetically-modified food products. Worse, former directors or officers of biotech companies have often worked for these government agencies, leading many anti-GM activists to believe that our government prioritizes profits over human health. True, Congress has recently introduced a series of bills that intend to require labeling of GM foods, boost safety standards and curtail biotech companies' intrusion on the land of farmers who do not wish to cultivate genetically-modified crops. However, these bills also contain several exemptions that undermine their good intentions. Nonetheless, I have written to my state and federal representatives to support a couple of these bills, and I will soon distribute similar letters to residents of a northern Chicago neighborhood during a community fair/walkathon that supports the organic food industry. Truthfully, I do not eat much organic food, but I have started incorporating some into my diet since joining Genewise, a local food activist group that opposes biotech companies who manufacture genetically-modified food. I also believe that organic farmers' and consumers' cause is noble. To find out more about the GM threat, type in "genetically-modified food" into any search engine and click on the links that appear. Together, we can make a difference (corny, but true in this case :) ).

Sincerely,

M. Wade
Esquire