Perfection

Policy Brief One: Science and Technology

The first policy brief I wrote for my Food Policy class... topic was "Science and Technology". Just wrote the second, "Food Problems in a Developing Country" about collective action in Boliva, will post it when I get it back.

GMOs: Discovering the Risk

In the last few decades, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have taken the world by storm. GMOs have been hailed as the solution to world hunger. The truth of the matter is we just don’t know enough about the effects of GE products. Too many questions have been left unanswered, and the profit-driven producers of these agricultural products use incorrect claims to make it seem as if GE is the only answer, and that the world population needs GMOs. While they are about different aspects of GMOs, all of the articles examined argue that not enough is known about the long-term negative effects these crops could have on our society and ecosystems. Genetic pollution and genetic drift are a great example of virtually uncontrollable results of using GMOs.

Most arguments in favor of using genetically engineered plants are based on claims that they will increase agricultural productivity, increase food security, and reduce the use of chemical inputs (Altieri and Rosset, 155). However, it has generally been found that current GM crops are not designed with poor small farmers in mind and fail to increase yields. Altieri and Rosset write that there are risks involved, many yet undiscovered. They also believe that there are better “agro-ecological alternatives” available. The article cites the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGAIR) as assuming that “hunger is due to a gap between food production and human population density or growth rate”, which Altieri and Rosset say is simply not so. The first of their ten reasons biotechnology is not the answer is that there is enough food available in the world to feed each person 4.3 pounds a day (Altieri and Rosset, 156).

A breakdown of their ten reasons “Why Biotechnology Will Not Ensure Food Security, Protect the Environment and Reduce Poverty in the Developing World”:

1) Enough food is available to feed 4.3 lbs/person/day

2) Innovations are profit-driven rather than need-driven

3) Increased price of inputs gives slower returns to the farmer

4) Recent trials have shown GE seeds do not increase yield of crops

5) Potential risks

-allergens/toxins

-alter metabolisms

-reduce nutritional quality/value

6) Transgenic crops follow the pesticide paradigm

7) Not enough testing done

8) Unanswered ecological questions

9) Private sector largely in charge

10) Much of the food can be produced by small local farmers

Their seventh and eighth reasons point to the fact that there is simply not enough known about these products to warrant they are safe for use. Agribusiness lobbyists have pushed the issue; “In the United States, private sector pressure led the White House to decree ‘no substantial difference’ between altered and normal seeds, thus evading normal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) testing… the FDA’s own scientists do not agree with this determination” (Altieri and Rosset, 157). Also, “the funds for research on environmental risk assessment are very limited” (Altieri and Rosset, 158).

David Moeller makes a different but related argument in his article “GMO Liability Threats for Farmers: Legal Issues Surrounding the Planting of Genetically Modified Crops”. Moeller focuses on the legal risks of using or not using GMOs, especially considering intellectual property (IP) rights and patenting of genes by companies like Monsanto.

Non-GMO growers can take action against their neighbors for genetic drift and pollution. Moeller explains, “The tort claim of trespass to land arises when someone intentionally enters another person’s land and causes damage. This claim could arise in a GMO context if a farmer and/or seed company knew that genetic traits from a GMO crop would enter a neighbor’s property and genetic drift in fact occurs, causing harm to the neighbor’s crop. The farmer and/or seed company could then be liable for any resulting harms caused by the GMO crop” (Moeller, 3).

On the other hand, farmers who do use GMO seed could be targeted for IP infringement. Monsanto, for example, has brought suits against farmers in a number of states for genetic drift to other farms. Moeller explains the hardship to farmers in these situations, since “Whether or not farmers violated Monsanto’s intellectual property rights, the still must raise a defense in court ringing up thousands of dollars in attorney’s fees” (Moeller, 6).

Farmers are only just beginning to realize the full scope of the complex legal issues that arise from GMOs, whether or not they choose to plant them. Clearly genetic drift is a large problem when using this technology, both to the legal rights of farmers and to the ecosystem outside of agriculture.

The Food And Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) focused on Agricultural Biotechnology in The State of Food and Agriculture 2003-2004. Scientists agree that gene flow happens, but don’t agree on whether or not it matters. The report argues, “management and genetic methods are being developed to minimize the possibility of gene flow”, and concedes that “The complete isolation of crops grown on a commercial scale, either GM or non-GM, is not currently practical although gene flow can be minimized…” (FAO, “Gene Flow”). The only management strategies suggested in the report are avoiding planting of transgenic crops in “centres of biodiversity”, planting buffer zones of non-GM crop around the perimeters, and altering the flowering periods to avoid cross-pollination (FAO, “Gene Flow”). While these ideas are worthwhile, the question then follows: who will make sure that farmers take these precautions?

These three articles all focus on different aspects of GM technology, but all agree that there are potential risks to all parties involved: the farmer, the farm, and the environment as a whole. While I think there are several compelling arguments against GMOs, gene pollution and the risks to biodiversity and farmers’ rights stand out. With so little research done about long-term effects of this technology, scientists cannot say with any substantial degree of certainty that GM crops are safe. While there are ways to limit the adverse effects of GMOs on surrounding areas, there is no regulatory body to oversee their implementation or to educate farmers on how to avoid legal recourse.

Works Cited

Altieri, Miguel A., and Peter Rosset. "Ten Reasons Why Biotechnology Will Not Ensure Food Security, Protect the Environment and Reduce Poverty in the Developing World." AgBioForum 2.3&4 (1999): 155-62. Web. .

Moeller, David R. GMO Liability Threats for Farmers: Legal Issues Surrounding the Planting of Genetically Modified Crops. Tech. Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Nov. 2001. Web. .

The State of Food and Agriculture 2003-04 [agricultural Biotechnology : Meeting the Needs of the Poor]. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2004. Web. .

Lots going on!

ALRIGHT. Here are some important crunchy developments here on my campus and in my life.

In no particular order

-Last night I went to a screening of Eating Alaska, and excellent non-bummer of a film about trying to eat locally in a place like Sitka, Alaska. Ellen Frankenstein, the filmmaker, did some Q&A after and is absolutely delightful. Earlier the morning, I got to see a lecture by her commercial fisherman husband, Spencer. He was really amazing as well- he has spent about a year of his life underwater! My food policy professor is close friends with them and it was great to see their enthusiasm that we were all interested in making a food change on campus.

-KFC (Knox Food Coalition) has refocused and we are doing some cool things. We are currently doing precedent research on other schools like us and have been organizing a series of talks called "Improve Your Food IQ!". So far they have been pretty successful!

-It's Earth Week! Lots of things going on around campus this whole week. I'm exciting to be playing a set at the festival on Saturday. Local farmers are also going to do a mini-market on campus, with the full farmers market to start up for the year within walking distance of cmpus in a few weeks!

-Food Policy class has been awesome. We just finished reading The World According to Monsanto by Marie-Monique Robin. Excellent book. I thought I knew everything about Monsanto, but there was more to learn! Worth a read, and there is also a documentary companion, which I have yet to see.

-We've been writing policy briefs, which I will be posting. We have to write 5 over the course of the term. My first one is not very well written, so bear with me. But they are improving as I get feedback from my professor. Hopefully you will learn something by reading them (or even skimming them!).

FUN RANDOM THINGS

-I am now singing tenor in my a cappella group. It's a lot of fun. We didn't have enough tenors so our student director and I both joined up with the guys. Pretty fun to try something new.

- I am ADDICTED to this card game, which is known by several names, some offensive. But it is a fun game!

The weather has been rotten, so no good photos to share right now.

Things I did this weekend

Basked in the glory of these blossoms that EXPLODED in the sunny, 75 degree weather we've had all weekend

Used the new bag my marmie made me for my birthday

Made friends with this bunny

Had a picnic!

Forgot to bring my camera on a trip to Trillium Dell farm and timberworks, where Food For Thought helped to plant about 4,000 onions. But the rows looked beautiful, and there were some nice dogs

Pumped up my bike tires and re-adjusted my seat

Spent quality time with lots of friends

Hard to focus when it's this beautiful out. Luckily I didn't have much work to do this weekend. I'm a little pink from the sun (even with the sunscreen, my pasty winter skin couldn't handle the sun's glory!), but it was worth it for the hours I spent outside!

One of those days...

...where you realize you bit off WAY more than you can chew, but are genuinely interested in everything you are doing.

-Last night I celebrated victories of 2 Alderman candidates me and the Knox College Democrats helped campaign for. Nice to know that in a small community, those phone calls and hours of canvassing really do translate into change on a city council.

-Had a KFC (Knox Food Coalition) meeting today where I volunteered to help out on committees I don't know much about but are needing energy. Frustrating to find time in my busy schedule to do research I wasn't supposed to have to do, but to move forward, we need to report back to the group as a whole. There ARE good things going on: good dialogue, new ideas, etc.

-Scrambling to finish a policy report about an aspect of science and technology for my Food Policy class (which I am loving, by the way, and can't wait to share bits and pieces of what I've been reading)

-After I finish up my shift tutoring (no tutees tonight, so I got some work done!), I get to go to a cappella rehearsal! Where I am proudly singing tenor this term. Also performing at an open mic Friday night, which I haven't had ANY time to rehearse for, but will throw something together Friday afternoon.

I'm trying very hard not to let the Gretta-stress-monster of high school rear its ugly head again. These are all worthwhile things... and should be fun! A little sleep deprived, and I should do some laundry, but the weather has been lovely and I've enjoyed riding my bike from place to place!

Blossoms!

Here are the blossoms on the tree outside my window, ready to burst!

This tree became my favorite on campus last year, and this year, by chance, my window overlooks it!

And here are the beginnings of 9 avocados worth of guacamole! Made it for a club event, it was a hit!

Sunny Saturday!

Today it was finally nice out after a few days of gloom! I think spring might finally be here. Got to bust out my new shades. Galesburg hosts an awesome jazz festival every year called Rootabaga, and this weekend was it! So much awesome jazz, including today's performance. The Knox Jazz Ensemble rocked it out, and then the Julian Lage Group absolutely blew all our minds. My friends and I were in awe of the things all these musicians could do, particularly Julian himself, who played guitar better than anyone I've ever seen. It was fantastic live, and none of the youtube videos seem to be able to do it justice, but check out this video, and then check out his tour dates, cause he's gonna be in the northeast soon!

To come when I get the time: pics of the massive amounts of guacamole I made the other day with my friend Alicia, as well as an update from my awesome food class!