Editor:
In late May people demonstrated against genetically modified organisms (GMO) in more than 400 cities worldwide, including Sechelt.
Hungary recently burned 500 hectares of GM corn and has disallowed any GM crops to be grown in the country.
Monsanto is leaving Europe because there is too much opposition.
Lately some experimental GM wheat from Monsanto's open fields escaped into regular farmers' fields. Japan immediately banned U.S. wheat imports. Monsanto can sue the farmers where their experimental wheat was found even though the farmers didn't plant it and don't want it. Wheat farmers in the U.S. are suing Monsanto because the price of their wheat has plummeted.
A long-term toxicological study of pigs fed GMO feed showed heavier uteri and a higher rate of severe stomach inflammation, in a recently released study. Humans have similar gastrointestinal tracts to pigs.
Breeding crops and genetic modification are two completely different processes. Breeding involves crossing the same species to get a specific trait, for example, early maturity. You cross offspring having the trait and through many generations arrive at what you want. Percy Schmeizer did this with canola and got such an improved product that Monsanto had to get it, or ruin him.
Genetic alteration is a very haphazard process. The DNA has to be cut, hopefully to include the gene with the desired trait. The gene is injected into the recipient nucleus along with bacteria to carry it and others to prevent rejection. GMOs can also be produced with horrific chemicals that induce mutation. The researchers don't call their results GMOs because mutations occur in nature, but not the way the researchers do it.
Nancy Leathley, Sechelt
