What's for Dinner?

   When you dish out dinner for your family tonight will you really know what you’re serving?  Are the peas really peas, or are they a genetic cornucopia of fish, nuts and legumes?  Is the fish oil you encourage your kids to take produced by real fish or was it harvested from mice in the laboratory?    What about the healthy whole wheat bread you’ve been adding to your diet, do you know if its been contaminated by “pharmed” drugs?   With food products traveling around the globe before landing on our plate it’s getting more difficult for the consumer to keep tabs on where food comes from, what nutritional qualities it possesses when it gets to us and what exactly is in it. 

              Genetically modified organisms, or GMO have quietly entered the Canadian markets with little fanfare.  They can be found in products ranging from baby food to pet food, from soy beverages to cereals!  With no labelling laws, Canadians may be risking their health without even knowing it. 

              A GMO is a food product genetically engineered, in the laboratory, by inserting genetic material from one species into the DNA of another.   The goal is to introduce positive characteristics.   Scientists claim this is a safe process much like selective breeding of plants and animals.  They argue that bioengineered food could be the salvation of starving peoples around the world, could reduce the use of pesticides and therefore the cost of farming and conserve soil, water and energy.  Unfortunately the reality of these altered foods does not satisfy bioengineers’ idealistic hopes.

              In the US, scientists claim there is a “serious risk to human health” after the discovery was made that crops engineered to produce industrial chemicals and drugs (or “pharm” crops) could contaminate GM-free crops grown for food.  Margaret Mellon, microbiologist and co-author of a report funded by the Washington-based Union for Concerned Scientists says, “If genes find their way from pharm crops to ordinary corn, they or their products could wind up in drug-laced corn flakes.” These fears were realized in 2002 when maize, modified to produce a pharmaceutical protein, was found growing beside normal soybeans in Iowa and Nebraska. 

              In 1997, GM soy was embraced by Argentine farmers as an economic miracle.  Seven years later, researchers claim it may be causing an environmental and possibly an economic crisis by damaging soil bacteria, allowing herbicide-resistant weeds to grow out of control requiring larger amounts of pesticides, negatively impacting indigenous species of plants and animals, and creating a dangerous dependence on one crop.  GM soy, because of its ability to create “volunteer” plants, is highly successful popping up in the wrong growing place at the wrong growing time requiring powerful herbicides to control it.   Control of this rogue soy has created disasters in neighbouring GM free farms destroying crops and livestock with a toxic herbicide cloud and killing soil bacteria needed to break down vegetable matter.  The long term effects of this soil degradation and reliance on monoculture is only just beginning to be felt.

              Researchers at Australia’s national research organisation, CSIRO, worked for a decade to develop a genetically modified pea with the ability to kill the destructive pea weevil.  Tests conducted on mice showed the altered pea caused lung damage and hypersensitive skin. A similar study to enhance the nutrient profile by adding a gene from the brazil nut was halted when it was discovered that it triggered allergic reactions in people with brazil nut allergies.  The implications for people suffering from life threatening allergies cannot be underestimated!

              The Human Genome Project website lists the benefits and controversies of Genetically Modified Organisms.  The benefits include shorter maturation time for crops, increase in nutrient content, higher yields, stress tolerance, improved resistance to disease (for the plants), and more efficient processing, most of which have not produced any viable proof.  The controversies include concerns for public and environmental safety like allergies and the transfer of antibiotic -- resistant markers, ethical concerns, labelling challenges and the potential of biopiracy -- foreign exploitation of natural resources-and domination of food production by a few companies.  The major concern is the unknown effect these GM products may or may not have over the long term on all these areas. 

              If Canadians are unaware of the content of their food and possible contamination by GM foods, are we acting as guinea pigs for large corporations experimenting with new biotechnology?  If so, what can we do?

              The simplest solution is to buy organically grown products.  Foods sold in Canada with the organically grown label cannot contain GM products.  However, it must be labelled 100% organic.  Many products are being manufactured that say organic but on closer inspection say only a certain percent is organic. Make sure you read your labels!

               Another simple solution is to buy locally grown produce from reputable growers whom you trust.  Our island has wonderful pockets of farm land that grow and produce delicious products like wine, vegetables, fruit, dairy products and livestock.  Create a relationship with these growers.  Ask them where their seeds, feed and livestock come from and are they genetically modified. Find out what pest control measures the grower uses and how the soil is replenished.  You’ll find that most growers enjoy the opportunity to talk about their farming methods.

               Most importantly, talk to your local grocery store.  Ask them what their policy on GM foods is.  Thrifty’s is dedicated to supporting local farmers as well as organically grown products.  They are also very willing to answer your questions.  Make sure they understand that you are not willing to purchase foods that have been genetically modified or that contain GMO’s.  Carry with you the shopper’s guide that was created by Greenpeace Canada to help consumers find foods that are GM free.  You’ll find it at  http://www.greenpeace.ca/shoppersguide/

               In 2004 Powell River was awarded the Provincial Agricultural Achievement Award for being the first zone in Canada to be declared GMO free.  Through the efforts of the Powell River Coalition for Safe Food, awareness of GM foods is being raised across Canada.  Many farmers on Prince Edward Island are following suit and are working towards becoming a GM free zone as well.  Why not work towards doing the same here on our island?  It would make a bold statement that we aren’t willing to take part in genetic experiments and that we are committed to creating a healthy and sustainable future for our children right here on Vancouver Island.

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