HV for No GMOs Debates NY Farm Bureau on GMOs

I want to thank the Poughkeepsie Journal for providing an opportunity to discuss the subject of GMOs in a more depth fashion yesterday at their Editorial Board meeting.

You can see video of the discussion (which got a little heated at times!) here-

www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/local/2014/06/10/poughkeepsie-journal-live-video/10274561/

I was presenting views about the need to label GMOs and Mark Adams, president of the Dutchess, Putnam, Westchester Farm Bureau was presenting the other side. I was impressed that he expressed sympathy for people's desire to know what is in the food they are eating and feeding their families. We were, however, antithetically opposed when it comes to the impact GMOs are having on public health and our environment.

Mark contends genetically modified crops are the same as any other crops and are necessary to feed a starving world. He said that GM crops decrease pesticide use, increase yields and have never proven to be harmful.

I respect Mark and the NY Farm Bureau that represents 25,000 farmers. We at Hudson Valley for No GMOs count many farmers as our supporters. We appreciate the incredibly hard work they do to provide us with nourishing food. They are our heroes!

Yet, I feel I need to set the record straight and I also wanted to include links to sources I mentioned in the talk.

GMO Food is Not the Same as Non-GMO Food

• There are hundreds of  animal feeding studies that show harm from eating GMOs. http://www.responsibletechnology.org/health-risks 

Lab tests by the Russian National Academy of Sciences

• The Bt toxin produced by GM corn was found in the blood of 93% of pregnant women and 80% of their unborn fetuses. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1388888/GM-food-toxins-blood-93-unborn-babies.html 
• A study by the Russian National Academy of Sciences showed that hamsters fed GM soy were infertile by the third generation.
• "British scientific researchers have demonstrated for the first time that genetically modified DNA material from crops is finding its way into human gut bacteria, raising potentially serious health questions." The Guardian 7/17/02 http://www.theguardian.com/science/2002/jul/17/gm.science  
•  GM crops have more toxic glyphosate than non-GM crops. Roundup Ready corn was tested at 13ppm, 18 times higher than the safe limit set by the EPA. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/06/09/monsanto-roundup-herbicide.aspx  
• GM crops have less nutrients than non-GM. Non-GM had 437 times more calcium and 56 times more magnesium than GM crops. http://www.momsacrossamerica.com/stunning_corn_comparison_gmo_versus_non_gmo
• "Studies document substantial differences of GM maize and GM soybean from their conventional non-GM counterparts, exposing a permissive regulatory regime that has failed miserably in protecting public health and biodiversity." Institute of Science in Society http://permaculturenews.org/2014/02/21/new-gmo-studies-demonstrate-substantial-non-equivalence/
• Glyphosate Induces Human Breast Cancer Cells Growth via Estrogen Receptors, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23756170
• 10 Scientific Studies Proving GMOs Can Be Harmful to Your Health http://www.hvnogmos.org/2014/06/10-scientific-studies-proving-gmos-can.html

  

GMOs Do Not Increase Yields 

• The International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for 
  Development (IAASTD) (400 scientists, backed by 58 governments) reported that GM crops are "highly variable" and in some cases "yields declined". Their conclusion- GM crops are no solution to world hunger. http://www.iicd-volunteer.org/gm-no-solution-to-global-hunger.htm
• The report  "Failure to Yield" by The Union of Concerned Scientists proves that biotechnology's promises of higher yields are empty. They conclude, “Traditional breeding outperforms genetic engineering hands down.” http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/our-failing-food-system/genetic-engineering/failure-to-yield.html  
• "Both the glyphosate-tolerant (Roundup Ready) and the Bt trait for corn rootworm caused yields to drop."  http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2013/02/do-gmo-crops-have-lower-yields

GM Crops Do Not Decrease Pesticide Use

• Pesticide use has increased by over 400 million pounds since GM crops were introduced.http://www.enveurope.com/content/24/1/24
• Even pro- USDA admits "Herbicide use on GMO corn increased from around 1.5 pounds per planted acre in 2001 to more than 2.0 pounds per planted acre in 2010." http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/24/usda-gmo-report-idUSL1N0LT16M20140224
• Superweeds, that have developed resistance to the overuse of glyphosate on GM crops, are choking millions of acres of American farmland. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/19/us-monsanto-superweeds-idUSTRE78I4BA20110919  
• Super bugs have developed resistance to GM crops engineered to produce the Bt toxin in every cell. http://archive.wired.com/wiredscience/2014/03/rootworm-resistance-bt-corn/

GM crops are failing and reports of the harm they cause are increasing. I mentioned the fact that Russia has completely banned GMOs after their senior scientists reported that they cause obesity and cancer in animals. I just learned today that GM grain and oil is also now banned for the 2.2 million Chinese army because of health concerns. Can it be long before they are banned entirely in that country too?

They would be joining many countries banning GMOs totally or in part. Additionally, three billion people in this world live in countries that require labeling of GMOs! Isn't it time for Americans to know what they are eating and feeding their families too?

Although we made great strides this year toward labeling in NYS, Assembly bill 3525 and Senate bill 3835 did not pass. Big thanks to GMO Free NY Director, Stacie Orell, who planted herself outside the doors to the Assembly for whole days to try to win more support/cosponsors for the bill! So many worked so hard this year for labeling and we thank all. Preparations for passing GM labeling for New York in 2015 have begun. Be a part and stay informed on the latest and most important news on GMOs - send your email to hvnogmos@gmail.com. We promise to never share your email with anyone.

Check out our page, 5 Ways to Avoid GMOs, if you are new to the subject and want to protect yourself and your family.

Thank you to Mark Adams, president of the Dutchess, Putnam, Westchester Farm Bureau for taking the time to discuss this important subject. Thanks too to: John Penney, community conversations/editorial page editor; Emily Stewart, reporter, food and drink; Dugan Radwin, editor of "My Valley" environmental section, Erika Smith, editorial assistant and all the good folks at the Journal. We appreciate the opportunity to share the facts on GMOs and the threat they pose to public health, the environment and food security.

Post Script 
At the end of the video I tried to give a shout out to my partner here at Hudson Valley for No GMOs  (but it got cut off).Thank you to Beth Dulay - committed, knowledgeable, persevering and passionate about a safe and healthy food supply for today and for future generations!
Barbara

Why We Are Not Being Protected

With so many scientific studies showing harm- why this rush in the US?