Read some of the previous posts if you want to know more about what GMO is, how it’s made, some of the GMO foods that are already (unlabeled) in the US food supply, and why you should be concerned about GMO products in our food supply.
If these haven’t given you reason enough to be concerned about silent addition of GMO foods to the US diet, my last post pointed out the effects that GMO crops are having on land and farming. There is yet another reason to dislike and be concerned about GMO products.
GMO products are directly causing even greater harm to the environment and are pushing us further away from sustainable farming and responsible land use. One of the unintended effects of the introduction of GMO products and the accompanying designer herbicides and pesticides the development of “superbugs” and “superweeds” that are requiring both increased use of toxic herbicides and pesticides, and the use of more potent versions of these chemicals on crops and farmland.
Over five years ago Scientific American reported on the appearance of herbicide resistant weeds that were showing up. Since then, the problem has continued and even escalated. According to a recent study released from Washington State University, “…the use of herbicides in the production of three genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops – cotton, soybeans and corn – has actually increased.” This runs against what most people would think and against what the GMO industry would like to you to believe. While the idea of GMO crops has been sold to the public as a way to feed the world with fewer resources, while in fact this study has found quite the opposite. According to this study “Resistant weeds have become a major problem for many farmers reliant on GE crops, and they are now driving up the volume of herbicide needed each year by about 25 percent….” Similar reports have emerged from other studies as well.
So not only are farmers having to use more and stronger chemicals to battle the resistant weeds and pests, but they are utilizing more fossil fuels in the process (more frequent and heavier application) and of course the resultant effects on the land and in terms of runoff and contamination are greater than before. Do your own research and you’ll find even more reasons to say no thank you to any GMO foods or ingredients in your food.
If you have questions or comments, please us the form below to contact me. I’d love to hear from you!