Unraveling the Mystery of GMO’s

(Genetically Modified Organism’s)

For this particular farmer, growing Organically is the ONLY way to grow.  Growing fruits and vegetables that are free of GMO’s is, in this Humble Farmers opinion, the only sensible approach to Organic Farming; it is THE last stand we must take on our maintaining the natural integrity of our food supply.

Much more than a Grassroots movement of the early 70′s, and resurgence in the 90′s, Organic Farming has done more for the awareness of our food supply than any other in a series of Agricultural milestones in our food history.  In a few short years, we in the Organic Farming community have witnessed widespread acceptance of chemical free food production.  Clearly in the mainstream, we have established a solid foot-hold in what some had called a fad – we think not!  In short: Organic is no longer a buzz-word, it is an iconic symbol of what is good about agriculture…from our forefathers first rudimentary plow pulled behind oxen, splitting the virgin topsoil, our “Organic” return to the Earth is an affirmation of a truth we already know: If it worked for them, why shouldn’t it work for us?

Is it not enough that we’ve put on report the megalithic, agribusiness giants the short and long-term impacts they are having on our environment with their indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides; not to mention the short/long-term effects on the quality of the air, soil, and waterways of our country?  It’s true that we, as a consumer driven society, have immense power to change the face of agricultural practices, but I humbly submit that we’ve not done enough.

This present day shift in the paradigm from the megalithic, agribusiness giants we know so well (Con-Agra, Monsanto, and Archer Daniels Midland, to name a few), to the small organic family farm, is a shift from a governmental policy that has its roots, coincidentally enough, in the early 70’s.  One pivotal event of our agricultural history that swayed all farmers in this country towards getting the most out of their land, and the crops grown upon it was a mantra of the early 70’s by then Department of Agriculture Secretary, Earl Lauer “Rusty” Butz.  “Rusty” Butz coined the phrase, “Get Big, or Get Out.”  His philosophy was to plant ‘fence-row to fence-row’ such commodity crops as corn.  This one mantra, a significant agricultural policy shift, direct from our own government, was instrumental in developing the large corporate agribusiness entities we know today.  That ‘fence-row to fence-row’ philosophy of the 1970’s spurred bio-science to answer the demands of farmers to increase yield; sometimes at whatever cost was necessary.  The ‘small family farm’ was the unfortunate loser in this policy shift, as was the public who are still trying to see beyond the rows of corn to the supposed corn grown therein.

While many consumers and farmers in recent years have been focused on the small ‘Organic’ family farm, we have, unfortunately, been asleep at the wheel – we’ve all but overlooked the explosive growth of GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organism’s).  Although not relegated to the food we grow, purchase, and consume, GMO’s have been, and are being developed throughout the entire gene pool of our living world.  The widely accepted definition of GMO is to add new genetic material into an organism’s genome.

Granted, this process of introducing new genetic material into an organism’s genome has been happening for eons – it is, after all, the basis of evolution.  But, what would have taken hundreds, if not thousands of generations of an organism’s evolutionary chain to develop, that evolutionary process is being accelerated at dizzying speeds – sometimes overnight.

First on the scene, a Genetically Engineered (close cousin to Genetically Modified) bacterium was introduced in 1973.  An experiment to test this bacterium (actually E. coli) was never completed for fear that the recombinant bacteria might escape into the atmosphere (and give the scientists conducting the experiment cancer.)  These biochemists realized some government oversight was needed, and an international conference convened in 1975 to address these concerns.  It wasn’t until 1986 that a biotech company did field tests on a frost resistant bacterium to be introduced into plants (delayed by opponents of biotechnology.)  That same year, Monsanto dropped its own program to test pest resistant Genetically Modified plants.  A few years later, experimental plantings of Genetically Modified plants were conducted in Canada, and the United States.  Starting in the 90’s, the first large scale, commercial approvals came to be, and GMO plants have been increasing every year since.  That process, from the bacterium level, gave rise to biotechnology that would one day engineer (introduce) genetic material into the very foods farmers grow, and unsuspecting consumers eat.

So, what’s the big deal – Why shouldn’t bio-engineered technology be introduced into our food system?  If it means more food, for more people, and it drives down the cost of that food, why shouldn’t we do whatever we can to increase the yield, thereby feeding more for less?  Even if there are a select few companies that own the patents on the food we eat, isn’t that the definition of Capitalism – those with the resources, capital, and knowledge should benefit, right?  I should feel safe about our governmental agencies, that they have our best interest at heart that they won’t let any technological advances, biological, or otherwise, jeopardize our health…I should feel safe, right?

Like a family tree that has a broken branch, the black sheep of modern agriculture, the small family farm (Organic in its origin), refused to be a part of the governmental mantra of the 1970’s.  Many continued on amidst strong influences to the contrary, while many more succumbed to the pressure to ‘Get Big or Get Out’, or simply failed under the weight of corporate agribusiness competition.

We as farmers and consumers have elicited change in an industry that has enjoyed 30+ years resting on its laurels of megalithic farming success.  The resurgence of Organic farming was/is our first step to usurp their power.  It is now incumbent upon us to take the next step – inject enough doubt into the minds of our farmers and consumers the legitimacy of GMO’s, that they might return to the integrity of our farming past – Free of GMO’s.

Part and parcel of any change that comes forth has its meager beginnings in education – This page (GMO) is my grassroots exploration in eliciting that change.  I challenge you to join me!