The National Research Council released a report last week which concluded that genetically engineered crops offer “substantial net environmental and economic benefits compared to conventional crops.” This is good news for farmers in the US, many of whom have embraced GMOs since their introduction in 1996. The report provides the first comprehensive assessment of how genetically engineered crops are affecting all U.S. farmers, including those who grow conventional or organic crops. The new report follows several previous Research Council reports that examined the potential human health and environmental effects of GE crops. The downside of that report is that these crops, which are designed to be resistant to the herbicide glyphosphate, also known as Monsanto's Roundup, may also spur the growth of resistant weeds and insects. Evolution can be a mother.
Link to NYT article on the study here
from Dan Volgelsong's photostream via Flickr
MONSANTO test field in Illinois for Genetically Manipulated soybeans
The 318-page report offers some hope for Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). Farmers who plant genetically modified crops (soybeans, corn, canola and cotton) don’t need to till their soil as much, thus reducing the soil erosion and pollution runoff that often results from tilling. Make no mistake, this is a big deal. And in many instances GM crops produce higher yields for farmers and help them control pests better, thus saving money. Anything that helps farmers increase both production and profits is a good thing.
PROBLEMS WITH ROUNDUP-READY SEEDS
The first problem with Monsanto's seeds is that they are patented and designed to be used only once. Seeds from these plants generally cannot be used to replant the next year. Monsanto also forbids farmers to save seeds from one year for use the next. One of the reasons is that each year's seed is engineered to resist that year's chemicals. Think of it like a flu shot or like the latest round of updates from Microsoft.
from the NYT article
The Justice Department is investigating whether Monsanto, which has patents on the Roundup Ready system, is violating antitrust laws, unduly increasing prices or hindering innovation.
The National Research Council report addresses this issue briefly without mentioning Monsanto. It says that patent licensing terms have “not adversely affected the economic welfare of farmers who adopt G.E. crops.” But it said there was some evidence that the availability of nonengineered crops “may be restricted for some farmers.”
The second problem with Monsanto's seeds, as previously mentioned, is that weeds and bugs evolve. They could develop a resistance to the herbicides which could result in either more use of the pesticides or the needs for newer, more toxic chemicals. The authors of the study warn that the continued rampant use of GM crops that are engineered to be resistant to Roundup could cause the “evolution of glyphosate-resistant weeds.”
MONSANTO AND THE US GOVERNMENT
Clarence Thomas, Supreme Court Justice, was once the head lawyer of the firm. There are also several links between Monsanto and the Bush administration. Former A.G. John Ashcroft received heavy contributions during his run for re-election to the US Senate. Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was president of Searle Pharmaceuticals, owned by Monsanto. Former secretary of Agriculture, Ann Veneman, was on the board of directors of Calgene Pharmaceuticals, an affiliate of Monsanto. Also, a former Monsanto official Linda J. Fisher was nominated by Bush to be second-in-command at the EPA. She was Monsanto’s representative in Washington from 1995 to 2000 and coordinated the company’s strategy to blunt resistance to genetically modified food".
EUROPEAN PROTESTS OF GMOS
Europe has a long history of protesting Monsanto and GMOs. When the seeds were first introduced in 1996 protesters in the UK and the European Union gathered in large numbers to keep these crops from their farms, or at least to have them labeled in grocery stores. The latest round has come with the European Commission's recent approval of GM crops in the EU. While there has been some protest here in the US, legislators have welcomed their use in this country. Some sources suggest that 80% of US farmers are using genetically modified seeds. Of course, Europe has a longer history of associating food with its origins. Reuters report here
GMO - Anti Genetic Modified Crops - Protesters in Madrid Spain on 17 April 2010
from Dan Volgelsong's photostream via Flickr
Protester against GMOs arrested in Germany
from Dan Volgelsong's photostream via Flickr
INDIAN PROTESTS OF Bt EGGPLANTS
Bt Brinja vs Organic Brinjal
from joe athialy's photostream via Flickr
The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), India's bio-technology regulator, has approved the commercial cultivation of genetically modified (GM) Bt brinjal yesterday (Oct 14). If approved by the government, it will become the first GM food crop in India. Protesters demand ask for the delayed introduction of Bt Brinjal, eggplants injected with the gene from a bacteria that resists insects, without addressing these concerns, and transparency from the GEAC and making public the nature of trials carried out and the bio-safety of the products. Bt Brinjal, if allowed in India, would be the first food crop in the world with the Bt gene inserted into it that is to be directly consumed by human beings
from a report by the Institute of Science in Society
As India edges closer to what is probably the last year of field trials for Bt Brinjal (eggplant, aubergine) before commercial approval may be granted, large scale resistance has been building up all over the country.
To make matters worse, the ecology of cotton pests has altered drastically and Bt cotton farmers are dealing with newer pests and diseases. Last season’s infestation of mealy bug, a sucking pest, has resulted in pesticides sales shooting up steeply in several states including Punjab.
For farmers who wish to remain GM-free or organic, they find it almost impossible to get non-GM seed. Hundreds of organic farmers are placing special orders directly with seed companies for non-transgenic seed, as it is not readily available from retailers.
It is at this juncture that farmers’ unions, consumer organizations, environmental groups, development organizations and concerned scientists have stepped up their protests against Bt Brinjal, realizing that the experience with Bt cotton cannot be allowed to be repeated, especially with a vegetable crop that is directly consumed by people.
A large informal network called “Coalition for GM Free India” was formed in 2006, representing organizations and individuals from more than 15 states of India. The Coalition has been active since then in raising awareness among civil society groups, media and the general public, and in creating an informed debate on GMOs. The Coalition also sees resistance to GM crops in a larger framework of democratization of policy-making in science and technology for the country. Members believe that farmers’ science and knowledge, especially with regard to ecological farming, is the only sustainable way forward for farming in India.
from The Hindu
NEW DELHI: An overwhelming majority – 89 per cent – of people say that they have the right to protest or reject government decisions on genetically modified foods (GM foods), revealed a citizens' opinion poll released by Greenpeace recently. The poll on genetically modified foods intended to understand citizens' awareness and preferences related to GM foods, their trust on regulatory agencies and their right to say no. The government declared a moratorium on Bt. brinjal but the proposed Biotechnology Regulatory Authority Bill (BRAI) 2009, proposes drastic changes in the regulatory system, which takes away the right to say no to GM foods
CONCLUSIONS
It is difficult for me to draw concrete conclusions on this subject. I lean against the use of GMOs myself. The initial evidence that they reduce pollutants and erosion, however, is heartening. I will reserve my final judgement until further studies can be done in the future. GMOs certainly have a large number of enemies. Certainly they can't all be "enviro-wingnuts". There seem to be many legitimate concerns.
At any rate, GMOs are here to stay. Via Food Politics, a few maps: adoption of genetically modified crops, soybeans, corn, and cotton. With the EU and India adopting them as well, genetically modified crops are spreading around the world. This could just be the next step in selective breeding that began with Gregor Mendel. It could just be the next Green Revolution. It could just be the best thing that ever happened to agriculture. I wish I believed those things but I don't.