Everyone from the first lady to alternative doctors tells us to eat healthy food. The closer to raw and nature’s way the better. Thanks to Vilsack and the USDA, people who raise organic alfalfa have no protection against the biotech alfalfa that Monsanto has invented. Mr. Vilsack and the USDA had every opportunity to protect organic farmers but chose instead to unleash the biotech alfalfa and wait and see.
According to the Des Moines Register, Vilsack said ‘ the USDA would be undertaking research and other measures to try to ensure that there would be adequate supplies of non-biotech seed after the genetically engineered alfalfa is in commercial use. Among other things, the research is aimed at studying the spread of of the biotech gene and developing non-biotech varieties that are protected against cross-pollination with the genetically modified version.’ The article can be read here.
While expressing concern and understanding that organic growers were worried and upset by the genetically modified alfalfa, he expressed that measures were being taken to keep non GMO alfalfa from being contaminated with the new alfalfa. With the mere act of a bee pollinating a GMO plant and then landing on a non GMO plant, what measures can be taken if not restricting where it is planted? This also brings up problems for people raising organic livestock who don’t want to feed GMO alfalfa.
With this decision made, Vilsack and the USDA are facing the same dilemma with GMO sugar beets and GMO corn made for ethanol use. Even food companies are pausing at the thought of GMO ethanol corn. From field to food manufacturer there are a lot of ways for this corn to end up in food instead of gasoline.
One of the main reasons the decision to not implement restrictions on GMO alfalfa is because other countries are balking at the use of Monsanto’s genetically modified seeds. They are hoping if Americans are seen using and consuming these products that other countries will come around. Other countries aren’t sure that these seeds are safe for human consumption. In other words, once again, Americans are being used as guinea pigs.
Maybe honest third party testing without influence from government or companies like Monsanto is called for. Are biotech crops safe to eat? Are Americans sicker now than 30 years ago? Are there any links between this food and our kids ailments? We may never know if Mr. Vilsack, the USDA and companies like Monsanto have their way.
source:
Des Moines Register
