Seeds of Domination

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• Reader Comments (7)

  Page 1 of 1 pages

  This is deplorable and ridiculous. The American Public has no idea this is happening and if they did, I’m sure there would be some investigations and a lot of uproar.  To deceive the public and not make everyone aware of the possibile hazzard is criminal.  And if you don’t test it how will anyone know if it causes long term harm.  Recently, there was a lawsuit filed against McDonalds for making a child obese when in fact this is probably the culprit. 

  Posted by Daniel on Feb 11, 2003 at 10:39 PM

  There remains as yet very little evidence that GM foods actually cause harm, considering the breadth of exposure for so many years.  The problem here is not so much genetic engineering per se, but domination of food production by large capitalist combines.  When profit is the motive, evidence of dangers in food production will inevitably be ignored or explained away.  We have already seen some examples of this.

  Also, there is the question, unaddressed by most anti-GM groups, of the exploitation of the small farmer, who, in order to increase yields, must buy GM seeds from large agribusinesses at high prices, then agree to buy them again and again every year.

  Instructive to look at the Cuban experience.  A world leader in biotechnology, Cuba is forging ahead with experimentation on new strains to boost production and assure self-sufficiency in food.  The difference here is that the program is designed for use, not profit, and so has the confidence of most Cubans that dangers will be isolated and eliminated.  They have not been disappointed.

  Posted by Peter Anestos on Feb 11, 2003 at 11:18 PM

  I suppose we must really narrow our food choices down.

  Posted by Cerridwen LoneSky on Feb 12, 2003 at 9:59 PM

  The picture that accompanys this article is awful. It looks like the racist propaganda that existed in the early 20th century against African Americans: Crazy big lips and bulging eyes. I would have thought better of ‘In These Times.’ I’m suprised it was chosen.

  Apparently there is no one on staff who might be ‘sensitive’ to these concerns.

  Bob

  Posted by Bob Maxwell on Feb 13, 2003 at 4:18 PM

  This story makes me so sad.  I had already been familiar with some of the facts, but the depth of the contamination spelled out here just makes me sick.  I keep wondering what kind of food will be available for my grandchildren. I am now the mother of a three-year old and have been so conscious of what we eat—but all the efforts of those who care about nutrition may be snuffed out by agribusiness.  This war on the natural food chain is devastating to the future of the human race.  It is sometimes difficult to understand how incredibly short-sighted corporate moguls and our political leaders are and how they can’t see that their greed could come back to haunt even them and their families’ future generations.

  Posted by Judith on Feb 13, 2003 at 8:25 PM

  The food that was given to us on this planet is the food we are to eat. It is made by nature to supply all the needs for life. Anything manipulated by man is a step backward….plain and simple.

  Posted by mari on Feb 14, 2003 at 3:20 PM

  Recently Mr Michael Meacher, the minister in the UK government responsible for GM food, said biotechnology was
  “Not necessary” to feed the world and raised fears that genetically modified crops could present a long-term health risk to consumers.î
  Of course his boss the honourable Member of Parliament for North Texas, Tony Blair, has disavowed his own ministers comments commenting on GMís “massive” benefits of the technology.
  The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, headed by Margaret Beckett, described Mr Meacher’s attack as “his views” and indicated there was “creative tension” within Government on the issue.
  It maybe mere coincidence that another of Mr. Meacher’s detractors Lord Sainsbury, the Science minister,  is linked to biotechnology firms and a member of the family that owns one of the biggest supermarket chains in the UK.
  Our Government is not conducting its own tests; we are using the self same GM companies to provide us with information. Mr Meacher quite reasonably poses the question whether food companies can be trusted to give objective advice. “The question is, can we trust the companies and be sure that they are telling us all they know? When asked if the system [of testing] is adequate, it is difficult to give the answer, ‘Yes’. The system is trusting and that is worrying.”
  Mr Meacher has admitted that Britain was being pressed by the US to allow commercial planting and given our leaders current love affair with yours, common sense and logic will probably go out of the window again. But, no itís never too late.

  Michael Brownlie

  Posted by michael brownlie on Feb 17, 2003 at 7:57 PM

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Also by Karen Charman

• The “K” Word
  U.S. turns its back on Kyoto and global warming
• Down on the Biopharm
  
• Seeds of Domination
  Don't want GMOs in your food? It may already be too late.