The subject of GMO's is something which I have received a few emails concerning my position on lately and one request to write a blog on the issue to share it better. I have been in many discussions on this matter in person with people and on the Internet yet have missed expanding on it here. GMO's is a very important subject in my humble opinion although not so with many in the political world. We have here the issue of personal freedoms and the right to know about and control what we take into our bodies, possible health issues and governmental control over our lives. I would have to locate (its somewhere here on my crowded desk) the presidential order which was signed on (of all days) July 4th a few years ago where Obama literally gave Monsanto and the federal government free reign and total control of our food supply. In this order it is technically illegal to grow foods from none GMO seed. It even gives the government the authority to control what types of veggies and how much we are allowed to grow in our own yards. Back to the GMO issue itself though. GMO's are no different from any other product, especially food where truth in labeling laws are concerned. Why are companies not required to tell the truth and label their products as containing GMO's? We have the right to know this information. I as so many others out there want to know what is going into my body. Unlike so many others though I am in the position to grow the bulk of the own food for my family most the time. A overly dry year as this one (summer 2012) has been that wasn't the case so we are dependent on the mass producers. So I feel the pain all too many of you do on the personal level. As with GMO's, one company nor the government should ever have that much control over our lives. Neither should law suits by Monsanto against farmers for so called cross pollination of nearby crops ever be allowed in court. In the first place it's just ignorant, and it is a total waste of resources, money and tying up our court . We have another issue with GMO's which concerns me. That being the safety of them. We can not tinker with the DNA of something with out consequences. Playing with plant DNA is not the same thing as the simple cross breading of plants. Another question is can our bodies really process and benefit from these organisms? I don't believe there is much difference between the effect of GMO foods and Pharma drugs. Artificial is dangerous and never as good as the natural thing. We also have the issue of environmental problems. With all the concern about our environment and damage being done to our eco system, why do we want to mass produce artificially altered plants which will destroy it? With the push for more and more GMO plants there will be a constant crossing of these with the natural plants which will eventually wipe out the natural breeds. A problem with this is that most GMO's are insect resistant. Insects are vital to the process of keeping the eco system in balance and should only be altered by us when they get out of control and not a mass elimination, which would occur with the GMO's. On the state level I would constantly encourage our farmers to stay away from GMO crops and to benefit from the natural food market prices - vs - a higher yield and lower prices for GMO's. The formulation of co-ops for our smaller farmers is a must to keep market access for these crops in competition with large corporate farms to avoid a take over of our agricultural industry by the corporations. I will constantly push for the formation of better markets in the form of more value added finished goods as a way to combat the run to GMO crops by our farmers. Public service campaigns to educate as to the benefits of more natural foods would also be a major leg in my plans. I personally feel this would be the best route to take. Keeping GMO's out out of Montana from the growers end or the consumers could be done by the Legislature or by public initiative but we would be treading on thin ice and infringing on the rights of others who do not agree with us. I could go on about this subject by breaking it down into individual components such as health, environmental damages and so forth if need be. All responses are welcomed. |
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