New GMO Poised for Approval Despite Public Outcry

[marmar]

New GMO Poised for Approval Despite Public Outcry

Friday, 15 August 2014 12:33
By Leah Zerbe, Rodale News | Op-Ed


Despite its own admission that it will cause an up to sevenfold increase in chemical pesticide use, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is poised to approve a new type of genetically engineered seed built to resist one of the most toxic weedkillers on the market.

Now, total approval hinges on the Environmental Protection Agency. If that federal body approves the new GMO, farmers will be free to plant corn and soy seeds genetically manipulated to live through sprayings of Dow's Enlist Duo herbicide, a chemical cocktail containing both glyphosate and the antiquated, toxic chemical 2,4-D. Ironically, in the 1990s, chemical companies said the development of GMOs would eliminate the need to use older, more dangerous chemicals like 2,4-D. But as GMO use ramped up over the last few decades, chemical use increased, and many weeds are no longer responding to glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup and the current chemical of choice for GMO farmers. This has created a "superweed" crisis, resulting in millions of acres of U.S. fields' being infested with hard-to-kill weeds.

With this week's USDA final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) suggesting approval of the new GMO is eminent, many food and public-safety experts say the American public faces unprecedented risks as a result of the decision. After all, current chemical use is so high that foods now actually contain "extreme" levels of glyphosate. Because it's a systemic weedkiller, it actually winds up inside of food. Adding 2,4-D to the mix is even more concerning, given its ties to cancer.

"USDA's announcement is an outrageous abdication of USDA's responsibility to protect our health and our food supply. The Obama Administration has ignored the interests and demands of millions of Americans, members of Congress, and scientists, farmers, and health professionals," says Andrew Kimbrell, executive director of Center for Food Safety. ..............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/25606-new-gmo-poised-for-approval-despite-public-outcry

[MohRokTah]

1. Once again showing why those of us opposed to GMOs have a problem...

with them.

It's not the organisms themselves. It's the nasty consequences of relying on them.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Not to mention eating the corn that absorbs poison spray.

Soy and corn are used in thousands of foods and products.

[Shivering Jemmy]

3. There isn't a domesticated animal in the world that isn't "genetically modified"

The only problem with modern so-called GMOs is that we haven't had hundreds of years to vet them.

With a proper regulatory regime for them there would be no problem at all.

[MohRokTah]

6. Bush bye.

Pulling that BS canard out is an automatic ignore these days.

[KurtNYC]

7. you don't seem to understand the diffence between selective breeding and GMO techniques

and how do you feel about eating more 2-4-D ?

[alp227]

9. Genetically modified is what it means.

Whether selective breeding or otherwise.

[BrotherIvan]

10. ^^This!^^

But I'm sure you'll be 'splained too shortly how you're a science denier and superstitious Luddite.

[KurtNYC]

4. so the "higher yeilds" they promised are actually lower yeilds due to Nature answering back with

Round Up Ready amaranth:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/agriculture/2014/06/22/superweeds-choke-farms/11231231/

And now their answer is to double down on more poison.

[djean111]

5. I already avoid corn and soy, but the herbicides leach into the earth and the water and kill

everything. Dow, Monsanto, etc. Giant flaming assholes.

[woo me with science]

8. K&R