A crash course in changing the world.
One significant aspect of food security is the assuring the safety of commercialized and refined food products, particularly Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's). In the United States, produce companies are not required to label GMO's accordingly however it is estimated that 75% of corn and 85% of our soybean crop is genetically modified.
Recently local groups organized for a protest against the largest GMO's producer in the world, Monsanto. I participated in the protest where many of the advocates spoke out against the potential threats that GMO's present. Currently there is a lack of testing on the long-term effects of consumption of GMO's and a lack of accountability if potential dangers develop into a reality.
Locally in Alachua county, GMO crop from Monsanto poses a different type of threat. Monsanto is a 55 billion dollar organization that is equipped with the most robust legal prowess. The team of Monsanto lawyers have been able to patent the DNA of their genetically modified seed so that it is proprietary property and unauthorized users can be litigated against. This is a problematic practice because Monsanto's genetically altered seeds have spread naturally (by erosion, wind, etc) into neighboring farms unaffiliated with Monsanto or GMO's. This has allowed Monsanto to unjustly sue these farms for unauthorized use of proprietary property. Such a trend threatens our local farmers who are the backbone of our country economics and who continually offer proven safe and organic products for our community. This is an issue that needs to be followed and acted upon on both a global and local level.
© 2024 Created by Alchemy. Powered by
You need to be a member of Urgent Evoke to add comments!
Join Urgent Evoke