Some media outlets are referring to a “backlash” against Chipotle after their announcement to become the First National Restaurant Company to Use Only Non-GMO Ingredients. Recently, GMO-denial has been put in the same vein with climate-denial, anti-vaxxers, and science-deniers. The problem is – this is total bullsh!t.
The original post at Earthy Robot has links to the reports used in this article.
Some media outlets are referring to a “backlash” against Chipotle after their announcement to become the First National Restaurant Company to Use Only Non-GMO Ingredients. Recently, GMO-denial has been put in the same vein with climate-denial, anti-vaxxers, and science-deniers. The problem is – this is total bullsh!t.
Let’s not confuse the (oversimplification of the) production of GMO crops with the actual use of GMO crops.
Here is a common argument:
Katherine F, on an Upworthy Facebook post said, “People who are afraid of GMOs don’t know what genetically-modified actually means. No, we shouldn’t want added hormones or antibiotics in our food, but something being genetically-modified doesn’t automatically make it bad. Stop the hysteria.”
Katherine, you don’t understand a few things yourself.
1 GMO crops are not created out of some altruistic love for humanity. They are created to provide an interdependent need with an herbicide or other consumable that gets produced from specific companies to be used on their patented crops. This interdependence creates vast sales. This amounts to 14.86 Billion US Dollars in sales alone per Monsanto via their 2013 annual report. 40% of the world’s glyphosate is produced in China as of 2008. The need for oil in the production and transport of a product that is required for use of a particular crop is reason alone that GMO-hugging is BullSh!t. Is feeding the oil machine that is contributing to climate change a good thing now, or did I miss that email?
2 The “fact”, touted by so many people, that we need more food – and that GMOs are the only answer – ugh. Have you been to a US grocery store ever? They are loaded with food and food-like substances. LOADED. Do we really believe that the only way to feed a starving person in a war-torn or drought-ridden nation is to feed them a snack cake made from GMO corn and soybeans? Come on now. We couldn’t provide organic and native food items instead? Or perhaps Americans should waste less food? A 2014 Report noted that Americans wasted 133 Billion Pounds of food. 133 Billion pounds of food could feed a lot of people. Let’s call it one pound per meal on average. That is 133 Billion meals. We don’t have a food shortage issue. We have a willingness to transport food and creation of local food issue. So, more GMOs-riding-a-unicorn-through-a-rainbow-into-our-bellies BullSh!t.
3 Here is a simple test that anyone can do at home. Make two test gardens. In one, place a few GMO seeds of corn / crop you like and use glyphosate or whatever is required, but don’t forget to read through the contract from your vendor first to ensure you don’t get sued and are purchasing the correct herbicides and fertilizers specific to your crop.
In the other, place some heirloom native seeds of the same plant and use organic techniques. Of course, there is no contract to sign here – because, should there really be patents on living organisms?
Take them both through a full season and into harvest. Then, bring in your six year old child, look him or her in the eyes and see which one you hand ’em to eat and still feel good about it later. If you believe that you are handing your child the GMO crop, you are full of total BullSh!t.
Chipotle may not be perfect, but they are not full of BullSh!t. So, give them a break already.
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9:17 AM PT: I would like to thank everyone for the excellent conversations. Talking about things like this is important. It's been a bit tough to keep up with the comments here and at the other postings and twitters. I will try though to circle back and read them all :)