Some Myths About Glyphosate and GMOs
“We all have a right to know what is in our food. Celebrate the stories behind the foods that nourish us. Fight for a world where we can reclaim our seeds, food policies, and the meals we share with our loved ones. With every meal we eat, we are making a choice in the type of world we want to live in. It’s up to each and every one of us to make it a good one.”
If food is our greatest medicine, why should we not request our food be the healthiest it can be? Eating healthy food comes down to personal choices as to what we buy at the store and what we put on our plate, but also asking for more transparency and accountability from those who grow it. Our greatest health risk of conventional farming comes for glyphosate (Round-Up) and GMOs. I’d like to highlight a few myths and truths about glyphosate and GMOs to add to your perspective.
Some MYTHS
Glyphosate is safe. FALSE.
Pesticides including glyphosate is a known gut microbiome disruptor, neurotoxin, and carcinogen. Currently 150 million lbs of glyphosate is used in the USA each year.
GMO crops will raise crop yields, so we can feed more people. FALSE.
A New York Times investigation and USDA data show that GMOs have not increased yields. Organic, non-GMO farming can be done on a large scale with modern equipment AND produce more than GMO counterparts.
GMO crops are needed because they allow us to use less pesticides and insecticides. FALSE.
Peer-reviewed studies show that pesticide use has increased since GMOs were introduced.
The FDA and USDA are independent organizations with the peoples’ best health interests in mind. FALSE.
Both organizations and government is manipulated by large agribusinesses and biotech industry lobbists, and paid scientists who skew the science to bolster their profits. For example, Senator Roberts of Kansas - received $2.8 million in campaign contributions from agribusiness industry. A key proponent of no GMO labeling.
GMO crops are needed to keep cost low for the consumer and GMO labeling will drive up food costs. FALSE.
GMO cropping means more mono-cropping and less crop rotation, which depletes the soil, land, and plants of nutrients.
GMO cropping doesn’t affect nutrient content. FALSE.
GMO cropping means more mono-cropping and less crop rotation, which depletes the soil, land, and plants of nutrients.
GMO Labelling has nothing to do with health, safety, and nutrition. FALSE
As described above, glyphosate a known gut microbiome disruptor, neurotoxin, and carcinogen. Due to conventional, big business growing practices, our soil is becoming less nutrient dense and is producing less nutrient dense food.
Some Truths
The invention of GMO practices and technology has always been about controlling the food supply and increasing profit. GMO crops means seed rights, production, and distribution are controlled by large corporations (Bayer, Monsanto). The same large companies that control pesticide use.
38 countries have banned the cultivation of genetically engineered crops
64 countries have GMO labeling
Organic farmers need our support as GMO plant pollens can travel for miles and contaminate nearby organic farms.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Advocate for what you believe in with your money. Only buy organic, non-GMO.
Until labeling laws are passed, the only way to avoid GMOs is to eat certified organic or non-GMO verified foods.
If you can’t afford certified organic foods, then focus on buying more of the “Clean 15” and avoiding the “Dirty Dozen.”
Support your local farmers by buying local produce!
Grow your own food! Start a small garden in your backyard.
With every food we buy and every bite we eat we choose what type of world we want to live in and what type of agriculture we choose to support.
Information derived from the Nongmoproject, Food Democracy Now
https://womensvoice.com/en-us/modified/