Last week, we looked at GMOs. There has been much discussion over the years, both for and against, on GMOs, which are genetically modified organisms. The article below was written by Wanda Patsche, who farms with her husband in southern Minnesota. This is a well written article on just what GMOs are and aren’t. This week is part 2 of 2.
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- GMOs are not causing the increase in food allergies. Food allergies are mostly caused by eight major food products – milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish. All GMO foods are required to be tested extensively for these eight food products and biotech developers work closely with the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) to assure any new GMO foods do not produce any new allergens.
And, perhaps, the coolest thing about this technology is we can use the biotechnology to remove known allergens from foods. Imagine a world where someone can eat peanuts without the “peanut allergen.”
- Long Term Studies on GMO’s. Probably the most common statement I have seen or read is, “There are no long term studies on GMOs.”
There have been GMO studies done on animals where the results show no negative effects on animals.
And then the question also becomes, what is considered long term? For the naysayers, there will be no amount of time that will satisfy them. In addition, there have never been long-term studies required on any other new seed variety or crop. GMOs are the only crops that require extensive pre-marketing scrutiny.
Do you think all natural plant foods are always good for us? The rhubarb leaves and pits of peaches, for example, are poisonous to humans.
- GMOs affect only one to four genes, where traditional breeding plants affect 10,000 to 300,000 genes. And the one to four genes that are changed? Scientists know everything there is to know about them.
GMOs equal sustainability. Using GMO technology allows farmers to use fewer pesticides. Fewer pesticides is good for people and the environment. Not only do farmers use fewer pesticides, but newer GMO varieties include a drought tolerant trait where plants require less water.
There is also the possibility of GMO plants using nitrogen already present in the soil as a nutrient. Presently, plants have a hard to time accessing and using the nitrogen already present in the soils.
Biotechnology possibilities are endless.
- Farmers care. Farmers really do care about what they grow. Our goal is to grow safe, affordable food. Farmers rely on expert advice that helps them determine the best seeds to plant. We can plant whatever seed we choose. We are not forced into any seed choices or seed companies.
Farmers choose to plant biotech seeds. Our farm field (where GMO corn and soybeans are grown) is literally in my backyard. Why would we grow something dangerous to our health right in our backyards? We really do care. We know GMOs are not the only solution, but just a single tool in our farming toolbox. And it seems farming requires multiple tools and I also believe our “toolbox” will continue to grow in the future.”
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Think about this – What God wants most from you is a relationship. Just some food for thought.
Remember that here in Chatham-Kent ‘We Grow for the World’. Check out our community’s agricultural website at: www.wegrowfortheworld.com
Kim Cooper has been involved in the agribusiness sector for over 40 years. He can be reached at: kim.e.cooper@gmail.com
You can also follow him on Twitter at ‘theAGguy’
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