GMOs The Unanticipated Consequences

GMOsThe Unanticipated Consequences

By Robert Biffis

GMOs Threat On SocietyGMOs threaten the integrity of humankind and the environment as they takeover our communities and food supply.

Are GMOs A Solution To World Hunger?Scientist Argue GMOs Will:Sustain climate changeSave landReduce poverty

The general public is not convinced

Picture: http://rinf.com/alt-news/sicence-technology/food-fascists-gmo-pesticide-manufacturers-dirty-2/

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GMO Is One Of The Most Rapid Adoptions Of A New Technology

In early 1990s it was rare to find GM crops planted.

The ISAAA map illustrates as of 2014 18 million farmers in 28 countries planted more than 181 million hectares of GM crops. (ISAAA, 2014)ISAAA, 2014

Picture - ISAAA. (2014). Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2014.Retrieved from http://isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/49/executivesummary/default.asp

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In CanadaIn Canada over 11 Million hectares of biotech canola, soybean, corn, and sugar are grown. (EatRight, 2015)

However, labeling is NOT required so many consumers are not aware of the products that contain GMOs.

Picture - https://sites.google.com/a/opotikicol.school.nz/jenny-mays-learning-larder/home/genetically-modified-food

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MONSANTOMonsanto is a agricultural biotechnology company and leading producer of genetically engineered seed.The company controls 80% of U.S. corn market and 93% of U.S. soy market. (Mercolla, 2013)

MONSANTO HAS A HUGE CONTROL ON THE WORLDS FOOD SUPPLY

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Why Are We All Being Fed By A Poison Expert?

Click To Watch The Undercurrents video on Monsanto

Video: The Undercurrent. (2015). Why Are We All Being Fed By A Poison Expert? Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYhNryOPSJ0

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What Research Tells UsPesticides & HerbicidesMonsanto tells us GMOs decrease the use of insecticides.Research tells us herbicide resistant crops can pass on their genes to weeds producing a superweed that requires a stronger herbicide.

Picture - https://www.pinterest.com/ergogenics/say-no-to-gmos/8

Yields

Monsanto tells us GM crops increase yields.Research tells us traditional crop breeders have been more successful at raising yields (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2009)

Picture - http://www.gmwatch.org/news/latest-news/16503

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Genetic Pollution

Genetic pollution is the uncontrolled gene flow in which organic fields are contaminated with GM pollen.This can cause an organic grower to loose his certification.The canola and flax export market from Canada to Europe (hundreds of millions of dollars) was lost because of genetic pollution (Vrain, 2015).

Picture - http://digitalcommons.law.uga.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1018&context=advocate10

Monsanto tells us GMOs will solve poverty and hunger issues.Monsanto donated hybrid corn seed but it was treated with toxic pesticides in which protective clothing would have to be worn.Vandana Shiva an environmentalist tells us India and most European Union countries have banned the import of GMO crops. (Shiva, 2015)Activist Jonas Deronzil believes developing countries do not need GM seeds but instead need help to produce their own food to sustain their local economies. (Bell, 2010).

Developing Nations

Picture - https://gmoeffects.wikispaces.com/Advantages+and+Disadvantages+of+GMOs11

MonoculturesGenetic engineering creates large-scale monocultures that destroy biodiversity and create:Crops prone to disease and droughtSoil that lacks nutrientsDependency on fertilizers, antibiotics, chemicals, and pesticidesReliance on machinery that use large amounts of fossil fuels

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The power of monopolies will crush the small farmers!Monsanto patents seed as intellectual propertyFour companies control more than half of the world seed.Monsanto has 650 seed patents & has won hundreds of lawsuits against US farmers for patent violationsFarmers claim pollen or seed from GM crops contaminate their field BUT they are help responsibleMercola, (2013)

Intellectual Property and Patents

Picture - https://www.pinterest.com/jimjimzen/say-no-to-gmos/

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Conflict TheoryThe conflict theory tells us that the elite group (government & corporations) holds power and is controlling the weak (consumer).

Monsanto is exploiting consumers through our food supply.Monsanto and the government deter the consumer from education themselves on the truth of what we are eating.Their goal is to keep creating a divide between the consumer and them.They tell the consumer what is healthy.

Picture - http://themostimportantnews.com/archives/tag/food-supply14

GMOs Affect On SocietyAre they safe?Increases use of toxic pesticides & herbicidesGlyphosate shown to have negative impact on healthWreaks havoc with environment & wildlifeCreates corporate monopoliesLack of labeling makes public unaware of what they are eating50 countries restrict or ban GMOs which reduces exports for CanadaForces small farmers out of businessForces undeveloped nations to become dependent developed nations

Picture - http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/anti-gmo-protesters-rally-against-monsanto-1.2388102Picture - http://www.offthegridnews.com/how-to-2/gmo-food-labeling-campaign-must-compete-against-grocery-manufacturers-association/15

No Single SolutionTraditional farming techniques have proven themselves for thousands of yearsDeveloping countries need freedom and tools to produce sustainable yieldsConsumers globally should have the right to accept or refuse GM foodMore research, not funded by GMO producers, is needed

Dr. Mercola Reminds UsAgriculture is a complete system that is inter-related Any time you change one part of that system, you change the interaction of all the other components, because they work together (Mercola, 2013).

Picture - http://theunhivedmind.com/wordpress3/irrefutable-evidence-that-gmo-can-harm-you/17

ReferencesISAAA. (2014). Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2014. Retrieved from http://isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/49/executivesummary/default.aspBell, Beverly. (2010). Help Us Produce, Dont Give Us Food. Retrieved from https://www.worldpulse.com/en/community/users/beverly-bell/posts/12026EatRight Ontario. (2015). Understanding Genetically Modified Foods. Retrieved From https://www.eatrightontario.ca/en/Articles/Food-technology/Biotechnology/Novel-foods/Understanding-Genetically-Modified-Foods.aspx#.VcQCGc6DSJVMercola. (2013). Photographic Adventure Reveals the Frightening Deadness of Genetically Engineered Corn Field. Retrieved from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/01/01/bees-dying-from-chemical-agriculture.aspxThe Undercurrent. (2015). Why Are We All Being Fed By A Poison Expert? Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYhNryOPSJ0Union of Concerned Scientists. (2009). Failure To Yield: Biotechnologys BrokenPromises. Retrieved from http://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/legacy/assets/documents/food_and_agriculture/failure-to-yield-brochure.pdfVrain, Thiery. (2015). Former Pro-GMO Scientist Speaks Out On The Real Dangers of Genetically Engineered Food. Retrieved from http://www.globalresearch.ca/former-pro-gmo-scientist-speaks-out-on-the-real-dangers-of-genetically-engineered-food/5424010Vandana Shiva. (2015). About Dr. Vandana Shiva. Retrieved from http://vandanashiva.com