| JUNE 23, 2014 -- Bridgewater Grange will be sponsoring a talk about GMOs ( Genetically Modified Organisms ). The presentation will be presented by Debra Cohen and Leola Baroody of GMO Free CT. The time will be 7:30 on Friday July 18th. The place will be the Bridgewater Grange Hall located across from the Bridgewater Green and next to the Bridgewater Post Office on Route 133.
What are GMOs and just what is the fuss about them? After all most of the plants and animals we raise and eat are modified to a great extent over what would be their "natural" state. Selective breeding and the knowledge of genetics have changed a plant like corn so much that we would have a hard time recognizing the original wild ancestors of corn. Similarly, the cow has been bred and selected and changed so drastically for improved milk and meat production. Hybridization and grafting can produce plants that have characteristics of two different varieties that enhance the value of the offspring. For example, many fruits would be produced this way.
GMOs take this modification a step further. With modern biotechnology they are able to directly manipulate the genetic code of a plant's or animal's DNA. They can directly alter the genetic material by introducing DNA from another species to create a hybrid that could never have been produced naturally.
Is this necessarily bad? Maybe we could produce fruits and vegetables that ripen quickly, resist disease and can be transported and stored with greater efficiency. But maybe we should examine some of the potential problems. For example some plants have been engineered to produce a toxin to resist insect pests. This is good because it reduces the need for pesticide sprays. But are we ingesting poison! And these plants may be poisoning beneficial birds and insects such as the honeybee. Some plants have been engineered to resist herbicides and pesticides. So instead of decreasing their use they are encouraging a much greater use of herbicides and pesticides.
GMO Free CT wants to inform the public of potential problems, push for further research on GMOs and push for labeling of GMOs that are used and sold to the public.
Debra Cohen has a background in education and has been an activists for GMO Free CT, Conn FACT and the Sierra Club. Leila Baroody has a Masters degree in environmental science and has worked for GMO Free CT, Housatonic Valley Association and the Berkshire Litchfield Environmental Council. |
