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Hi'iaka's Healing Herb Garden : Column Index : 2006 : November
Coming Soon...
Facing Hawai`i's Future: To GMO Or Not To GMO?
Genetic engineering is done in a laboratory and results in new kinds of plants, animals or other living organisms. I've hesitated to write about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) until now because I didn't feel qualified to spread information about this important and complex topic. Now, however, there's a new book that helped me to understand things a little better. It's Facing Hawai`i's Future: Harvesting Essential Information About GMO's by Hawai`i SEED, our state's non-profit GMO organization, in collaboration with the Hawai`i Genetic Engineering Action Network (Hawai`i GEAN).
The book is a compilation of writings by several well-informed and active Big Island people: Nancy Redfeather, Melanie Bondera, Luke Anderson, Mililani Trask, Dr. Lorrin Pang, Elisha Goodman, Jeffrey Smith and Dr. Shepherd Bliss top the list of contributing authors.
When and How Did It All Begin?
The experimental growing of genetically modified crops on our island began in the 1990's when then-Governor Ben Cayetano envisioned that our defunct plantation agriculture system should be replaced by agriculture that is based on genetic engineering. As Facing Hawai`i's Future states, "Corporations genetically engineering agricultural crops were invited to move here and were given sufficient financial incentives to keep them here. Now, 15 years later, Hawai`i is the center for open air field testing of experimental GMO crops and corn seed development of GMO feed corn destined for U.S. farms. The Hawai`i taxpayers have subsidized this industry heavily-and what have been the benefits? Seed crops are exported and profits flow to corporations outside Hawai`i. The open field trials are impossible to regulate and have unknown effects on our `aina, ecosystems and health of the community."
There's a lot we don't know about the long-term effects of genetic engineering, on our health and the environment that surrounds us, wherever we live. When countries such as Mali and Cameroon require labeling of GMO food, I think the United States is negligent in not legislating something this simple that might contribute to the health of its future citizens. Many countries have bans or moratoriums on growing GMO crops and many have bans on importing them. Even countries such as Angola, Namibia, Nigeria and Zambia will not accept GMO food aid!
Although "no environmental or public health studies exist that can say what will happen in five, ten, or twenty years, we cannot assume that genetically engineered food is safe until proven so," according to the book's epilogue. It concludes that we should follow the adage "better safe than sorry," or the "precautionary principle": "When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically."
Invasive Species And Extinction
It's common knowledge that Hawai`i is considered the "endangered species capital" of the world. A contributing reason has been the introduction of non-native species of plants and animals. They have gleefully taken root here and literally spread like wildfire, choking out native plants and animals and changing the environment to make it more conducive to their own survival. I see the introduction and proliferation of genetically modified plants as just one more example of humans' arrogance in thinking it's all right to do whatever we want to and with the environment, our precious `aina. We have already messed up Hawai`i's environment pretty badly and need to stop our destructive ways now. We should have learned from past mistakes, like the introduction of the mongoose to combat rats, and similar misguided experiments, that we should stop introducing things. As the Eagles sang, "Call someplace paradise... kiss it goodbye."
And the Answer Is...
The answer to the question posed by this month's title, "To GMO or Not to GMO?" is this: it's very difficult to know if we're eating genetically engineered food because the Food and Drug Administration does not yet require labeling. The wheat in your Wheaties, the corn in your Tostitos, or the soybeans in your tofu are potentially, and very possibly, from genetically modified crops. When we learn that 85% of all soybeans, 75% of canola, 40% of corn, and 48% of Hawaiian papayas are GMO, without labeling it's hard to escape these foods even if we are aware of the prevalence of them and attempt to eat only non-GMO foods.
Pollen drift is another phenomenon that occurs when the pollen from GMO plants (such as papayas) finds its way to your organic, non-GMO papayas and contaminates them. Farmers have lost their organic certification through no fault of their own because of pollen drift. In the future, I don't see how organic farms will be able to exist.
How You Can Help Yourself and the `Aina
If you want to limit the GMO foods that you buy and consume, here are some suggestions:
* Think about what you're putting in your mouth.
* Eat at home more often and avoid processed foods. Buy a cookbook and enjoy beautiful fresh food lovingly prepared by you.
* Locally grown produce from certified organic farmers, available at farmer's markets, is free of genetic engineering. Ask before you buy.
* Vote for candidates who support labeling and the non-proliferation of GMO experimentation in Hawai`i.
* Buy GMO-free seeds and grow some of your own food. Visit the site www.organicconsumers.org/purelink.html for seed sources. I often buy heirloom seeds from Seeds of Change (www.seedsofchange.com).
* Ask your child's school to include whole foods in their menus.
* If you buy papayas from the grocery store, dispose of the seeds so they won't grow into GMO trees.
* Demand labeling of GMO products from your market, manufacturers and government.
* Visit the websites listed here to keep informed about developments on health issues surrounding GMO foods.
* Become active by joining the Hawai`i SEED Action Alert List. This will keep you informed about simple, effective actions you can take. (www.hawaiiseed.org or e-mail gmofreehawaii@riseup.net)
To order Facing Hawai`i's Future, contact Hawai`i SEED at:
PO Box 2353
Kealakekua, HI 96750
Or call (808) 331-1211
E-mail: gmofreehawaii@riseup.net
It's available as a download at www.hawaiiseed.org
ON THE WEB:
www.hawaiiseed.org
www.truefoodnow.org/shoppersguide
www.seedsofdeception.com/public/buyingnon-gmo/index
www.seedsofchange.com
www.organicconsumers.org/purelink.html
Facing Hawai`i's Future: To GMO Or Not To GMO?
Genetic engineering is done in a laboratory and results in new kinds of plants, animals or other living organisms. I've hesitated to write about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) until now because I didn't feel qualified to spread information about this important and complex topic. Now, however, there's a new book that helped me to understand things a little better. It's Facing Hawai`i's Future: Harvesting Essential Information About GMO's by Hawai`i SEED, our state's non-profit GMO organization, in collaboration with the Hawai`i Genetic Engineering Action Network (Hawai`i GEAN).
The book is a compilation of writings by several well-informed and active Big Island people: Nancy Redfeather, Melanie Bondera, Luke Anderson, Mililani Trask, Dr. Lorrin Pang, Elisha Goodman, Jeffrey Smith and Dr. Shepherd Bliss top the list of contributing authors.
When and How Did It All Begin?
The experimental growing of genetically modified crops on our island began in the 1990's when then-Governor Ben Cayetano envisioned that our defunct plantation agriculture system should be replaced by agriculture that is based on genetic engineering. As Facing Hawai`i's Future states, "Corporations genetically engineering agricultural crops were invited to move here and were given sufficient financial incentives to keep them here. Now, 15 years later, Hawai`i is the center for open air field testing of experimental GMO crops and corn seed development of GMO feed corn destined for U.S. farms. The Hawai`i taxpayers have subsidized this industry heavily-and what have been the benefits? Seed crops are exported and profits flow to corporations outside Hawai`i. The open field trials are impossible to regulate and have unknown effects on our `aina, ecosystems and health of the community."
There's a lot we don't know about the long-term effects of genetic engineering, on our health and the environment that surrounds us, wherever we live. When countries such as Mali and Cameroon require labeling of GMO food, I think the United States is negligent in not legislating something this simple that might contribute to the health of its future citizens. Many countries have bans or moratoriums on growing GMO crops and many have bans on importing them. Even countries such as Angola, Namibia, Nigeria and Zambia will not accept GMO food aid!
Although "no environmental or public health studies exist that can say what will happen in five, ten, or twenty years, we cannot assume that genetically engineered food is safe until proven so," according to the book's epilogue. It concludes that we should follow the adage "better safe than sorry," or the "precautionary principle": "When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically."
Invasive Species And Extinction
It's common knowledge that Hawai`i is considered the "endangered species capital" of the world. A contributing reason has been the introduction of non-native species of plants and animals. They have gleefully taken root here and literally spread like wildfire, choking out native plants and animals and changing the environment to make it more conducive to their own survival. I see the introduction and proliferation of genetically modified plants as just one more example of humans' arrogance in thinking it's all right to do whatever we want to and with the environment, our precious `aina. We have already messed up Hawai`i's environment pretty badly and need to stop our destructive ways now. We should have learned from past mistakes, like the introduction of the mongoose to combat rats, and similar misguided experiments, that we should stop introducing things. As the Eagles sang, "Call someplace paradise... kiss it goodbye."
And the Answer Is...
The answer to the question posed by this month's title, "To GMO or Not to GMO?" is this: it's very difficult to know if we're eating genetically engineered food because the Food and Drug Administration does not yet require labeling. The wheat in your Wheaties, the corn in your Tostitos, or the soybeans in your tofu are potentially, and very possibly, from genetically modified crops. When we learn that 85% of all soybeans, 75% of canola, 40% of corn, and 48% of Hawaiian papayas are GMO, without labeling it's hard to escape these foods even if we are aware of the prevalence of them and attempt to eat only non-GMO foods.
Pollen drift is another phenomenon that occurs when the pollen from GMO plants (such as papayas) finds its way to your organic, non-GMO papayas and contaminates them. Farmers have lost their organic certification through no fault of their own because of pollen drift. In the future, I don't see how organic farms will be able to exist.
How You Can Help Yourself and the `Aina
If you want to limit the GMO foods that you buy and consume, here are some suggestions:
* Think about what you're putting in your mouth.
* Eat at home more often and avoid processed foods. Buy a cookbook and enjoy beautiful fresh food lovingly prepared by you.
* Locally grown produce from certified organic farmers, available at farmer's markets, is free of genetic engineering. Ask before you buy.
* Vote for candidates who support labeling and the non-proliferation of GMO experimentation in Hawai`i.
* Buy GMO-free seeds and grow some of your own food. Visit the site www.organicconsumers.org/purelink.html for seed sources. I often buy heirloom seeds from Seeds of Change (www.seedsofchange.com).
* Ask your child's school to include whole foods in their menus.
* If you buy papayas from the grocery store, dispose of the seeds so they won't grow into GMO trees.
* Demand labeling of GMO products from your market, manufacturers and government.
* Visit the websites listed here to keep informed about developments on health issues surrounding GMO foods.
* Become active by joining the Hawai`i SEED Action Alert List. This will keep you informed about simple, effective actions you can take. (www.hawaiiseed.org or e-mail gmofreehawaii@riseup.net)
To order Facing Hawai`i's Future, contact Hawai`i SEED at:
PO Box 2353
Kealakekua, HI 96750
Or call (808) 331-1211
E-mail: gmofreehawaii@riseup.net
It's available as a download at www.hawaiiseed.org
ON THE WEB:
www.hawaiiseed.org
www.truefoodnow.org/shoppersguide
www.seedsofdeception.com/public/buyingnon-gmo/index
www.seedsofchange.com
www.organicconsumers.org/purelink.html
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