GMO's

I have always felt that I needed to protest against something, not for the sake of protesting but to make myself feel as though I cared enough for something to take a stand and take physical action to support something important instead of sitting around and complaining. I always pictured that it would end up being against some super right wing Christian movement or something to that effect. The more I learn about genetic modification the more angry I get. And every time I hear the name Monsanto I want to insert a descriptor before the word to express the loathing I feel for that low-life, greedy, self-serving, near-sighted, unethical...corporation.

Am I coming off too strong or like a bitter hippy?

Bill C-474 was just turned down on Parliament Hill. This bill was designed to protect farmers from the infultration of GM cross contamination as well as to protect the consumer from possible side effects of GM products. The testing at this time is extremely limited and there is no long term results on how this food affects us.

A summary of the Bill from the www.parl.gc.ca states:
"This enactment requires the Governor in Council to amend the Seeds Regulations to require that an analysis of potential harm to export markets be conducted before the sale of any new genetically engineered seed is permitted."

In 2009 there was GM contamination of flax which had been banned from ever being released into the market nearly eight years prior. It was found in baked goods in Germany after testing was done. This immediately ceased all trade with the EU which adds up to 70% of Canada's flax sales. How did this contamination even happen eight years after it was turned down. Since this devistation flax farmers now have to test any flax up to 3 times to enable the safe sale of flax to the EU.
Our government has funded 1.5 million - of our tax money that is - to suppliment some of the cost on these tests that are required. 

This is just one example of the waste of money, citizens' hard work and of their lively hood. All because the guys on Parliament Hill are buds with the big wigs at the major corporations involved... sickening.

Another country that has been severely affected is India, the introduction of GM seeds there have been a source of debt, shame, lower yeilds on crops, higher costs on seeds and pesticides, and suicide. Monsanto used Indian gods in their campaign to manipulate the locals, ensuring them that purchasing these seeds is what the gods wanted and that the farmers would become rich as a result. These same farmers are now drinking the same pesticides they are forced to buy to kill themselves. Tens of thousands have killed themselves from the stress of debt incurred, shame and despair.
India's organic coton industry has been infultrated with a GM Cotton

Alfalfa is one of the most important crops we have we use it to feed our livestock & restore soil nutrients. If their was cross contamination of GM alfalfa into our organic agricultural system there is no way to reverse it. Our meat will be contaminated, our dairy etc. Without proper testing on long term effects it is extremely irresponsible, especially when the limited short term tests have had disconcerting results.

"Tests on GM Flavr Savr tomatoes resulted in lesions in rats. Scientists at the US Food and Drug Authority even asked for it not to be approved.

Dr Arpad Pusztai's notorious experiments with GM potatoes and rats showed severe gut problems in the test animals compared to those fed non-GM potatoes. Despite the largely successful attempt to discredit him publicly, Pusztai's paper had been peer reviewed six times prior to publication. Compared to most GM research sponsored by GM companies it remains a model of experimental propriety and credibility.

In GM chicken-feed experiments, twice as many chickens fed GM maize died as those fed the conventional crop. Despite this, the GM maize was approved by the Government but later withdrawn following public pressure."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2003/jun/08/gm.food

Pierre Lemeux (conservative party) claimes that "sound science is necessary" but goes on to refer to the canola seeds that were only tested over 2 years with no conclusive results and then released to the public. The industry has since been severely wounded as a result of the release of GM canola. Since 2005 no canola seed has been sold to the EU, and since 2007 no canola oil sent to EU  - Lemeux claims that GE canola has helped the industry.

Monsanto & Bayer both with no market and extreme oposition developed products and attempted to push it on the market. One can only assume that their motivation is not to help the world but to capitalize on poorly tested & developed seeds that are unwanted by the general public.

This is a link to an episode of Deconstructing Dinner where they anaylyze the debate at the house of commons in regards to Bill c-474, a real enlightening listen:
http://hw.libsyn.com/p/3/4/f/34f840f1f6de7a63/DD032510.mp3?sid=0f07d59e82735a3786394773c3409076&l_sid=18105&l_eid=&l_mid=1575438