Food is very personal and one of the few things that we can control. Deborah Koons Garcia discusses the problems associated with genetically modified foods and the increased dependance on pesticides and herbicides in her film “The Future of Food.” Monsanto is an agricultural industry giant making genetically modified seeds, herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers. They buy seed companies, genetically modify the seeds and then patent them so that they are resistant to an insecticide that they also make.
In order to make genes express all the time, a promoter is locked on to the DNA before the gene. Scientists have tracked gene promoters and found that they unlock from the DNA of the food and lock onto the DNA of the animal who ingests it. This means that eating genetically modified foods expose us to promoters that can lock onto our DNA and cause gene expression, increasing our risk of manifesting genetically predisposed genetic diseases. The is a concern since 70% of processed foods on our super market shelves are genetically modified (Eco-Foods Guide by Cynthia Barstow). Most corn, cotton, soy and canola in the U.S. are genetically modified. Most people would like to know if they are eating genetically modified foods, but labeling it is not required!
Historically, when the food industry needs to get a bill passed an employee will be sent to work for the regulatory agency, get the bill passed and then go back to work the food industry. This is called the revolving door and is very unethical. If you are concerned about this, you should write to your congressman in regards to the U.S. Farm Bill that will help shape our food supply for better or for worse.
There is hope! Deborah Koons Garcia says within that within the next 5-10 years we need to be educating ourselves and those we care about with whats going on. I don’t believe it is our fault that we did not know this. How were we supposed to know this was going on? I truly believe that once people have the information they will want to be a part of the reformation of our food supply for the betterment of our future and our children’s future. We do hold the power to take back the control of our food. We vote three times a day; breakfast, lunch and dinner. One thing that you can do is start buying organic. Organic foods do NOT contain GMO’s and support local organic farmers by joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). If you live in South Orange County, check out South Coast Farms. May your days be blessed with health and wellness and Namaste.
