This week I promised to share about the history of GMOs from my class on Local, Non-GMO, and Organic two weeks ago.
GMO Timeline:
•Late 1800s to Early 1900s – we begin to destroy the topsoil and nutrients found in it.
•1920s – Dust Bowl – crops wiped out and famine
•Late 1920s – financial collapse
•1940s – World War 2
•Late 1940s to 1950s – Begin using nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium from chemical petroleum based fertilizers left from the war
•Late 1950s to 1960s – plants are now weakened due to lack of full mineral support and susceptible to bugs!
•1970s – Vietnam War and Agent Orange (aka RoundUp)
•1970s – Heavy usage of Glyphosate (RoundUp and other brand names) begins
You can see by this timeline, that we did not fix the soil problem of lack of nutrients, composting, and replenishment. Rather, we are creating a monoculture and wiping out biodiversity as well as creating superbugs, “super plants”, and “super weeds”.
GMOs means that someone “owns” your seeds. Cross-pollination of other fields means contaminating heirloom seeds. Legally, they can then “own” that seed/field. The big selling point of GMOs is that they increase yield, and we need them in order to “feed the world.” The truth is that GMOs do not increase yield. From a report from 400 scientist “GMOs have nothing to offer to feed the hungry world, eradicate poverty, or create sustainable agriculture.”
And not only that, but more and more studies are showing dangers. Dr Arpad Pusztai of Aberdeen Rowett Institute – Rats fed GMO showed precancerious cell growth in their digestive system, brains, livers, and testicals, partial atrophy of the liver, and damaged immune system. Then Monsanto did a 90 day study on rats fed GMO corn. The rats developed such serious problems, they rewrote the study to hide the results.
This only goes to show more and more the importance of eating Organic and non-GMO.
Be sure to check out our ever expanding Organic selection on your next visit to Whitaker’s – everything from your baking supplies, eggs, meat, and general grocery items.
