If you have interests or concerns about Genetically Modified Foods, and the future of our food supply I recommend you take ninety minutes of your time to watch “The Future of Food”. The film, written & produced by Deborah Koons Garcia & Catherine Lynn Butler Genetically Modified Organisms have been a hot topic since the early 1990′s. In the world of biotechnology, problems have started to crop up. Initially genetically modified organisms were thought to produce higher yields, yet the long term effects may be contrary to the original findings. genetically modified foods had become integrated into the food supply before consumers even knew they were there or what the possible health risks might be.
The first genetically modified food released to the public was the flavor saver tomato in 2001. Experts interviewed in the film include Dr. Charles M. Benbrook Former Director, Board on Agriculture,National Academy of Science Benbrook Consulting Services; Dr. Fred Kirschenmann Director, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture Iowa State University; and Andrew Kimbrell Executive Director, Center for Food Safety.
Once released into the environment genetically modified seeds such as Monsanto’s “Roundup Ready”, reproduce and are beyond the control of food producers. When the seeds are released into the environment they contaminate neighboring seeds. “Once the seed is altered the face of the food supply will never be the same.” Insecticide has been introduced into every genetically modified crop, producing allergic reactions in some.
Farmers who have been affected as a direct result of genetically modified crops speak to their concerns. Revealed are their dealings with the biggest corporate player, Monsanto, whose credits include dangerous chemicals such as agent orange, and aspartame. Monsanto’s reputation is growing as a truly evil organization who is controlling a great deal of the food supply.
The movie illustrates how sustainable agriculture is being imposed upon by the biotechnology of food production by crowding out diversity, creating challenges for which solutions do not exist. The best seeds come from farmers, and 75% of farmers rely on saving their own seed. Not only are the heirloom seeds being destroyed, farmers are being prosecuted by Monsanto, in their attempt to control the food industry.
Government approval of these foods has come under fierce scrutiny. The movie also brings to light the need for biodiversity in food production and the consumer’s right to know. The long term effect of genetically modified foods results in lower yields and the beed for increased spraying of pesticides and other dangerous chemicals.
The movie focuses on key issues, such as cell invasion technology, the patenting of life forms, patent law and farmer’s rights. Ethical questions such as, “Should life forms be patented at all?” are discussed. Besides the negative effects on health, our food supply is being damaged beyond repair.
“As we move on into this so-called biotech revolution and we start producing more and more transgenic manipulations, we’ll start seeing pieces of DNA interacting with each other in ways that are totally unpredictable… I think this is probably the largest biological experiment humanity has ever entered into.” ~Ignacio Chapela Microbial Ecologist University of California, Berkeley
For More Information see Future of Food Website.
