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Re: [Market-farming] Market-farming Digest, Vol 77, Issue 9
- From: "Brigette Leach" <afhg AT ctsmail.net>
- To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
- Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Market-farming Digest, Vol 77, Issue 9
- Date: Tue, 9 Jun 2009 19:08:31 -0400
Apparently, not all of your post came through on my
end...got just one paragraph w/o a picture.
If the post is what I think it is, I will just say
that these stories attempting to draw a connection between GMO's and
suicides of Indian farmers are an example of how far opponents will go. Common
sense will tell us that there are likely many reasons or other
reasons....suicide is a complicated matter no matter who's is involved. None of
us really knows what goes on in another's mind. Are these farmers leaving
suicide messages specifically naming GMO's?
In addition, consider that whether
controversial issues are taken on via movies, books, newspaper, TV news
programming, the internet or any other means, controversy sells. Publishers only
publish books they are betting will sell, and in quantities that will be
profitable for both the publishing company and the author. Same goes for
movies....
Personally, I believe the internet is the best
disseminator of misinformation the world has ever seen. It's the gossip
grapevine intensified. Anyone can say and/or claim anything and yet know one is
held accountable for the damage done to individuals, reputations, businesses,
industries...
Outrageous claims are being made on the internet
about GMO's that are so far fetched as to be ridiculous. Yet people who have no
understanding of scientific principles, only a fear that their food may not be
safe, see these claims and buy into them hook, line and sinker. No one is
explaining things in reasonable terms so that people can understand the
technology, the possible benefits, or that not all food is produced via GMO
seed and then make up their minds. It's easier to stretch the truth than to
educate.
Wouldn't if be better if we had civil conversations
regarding the amount of research that has been done, and by whom (those will
backgrounds in genetics, botany, plant science and the like rather than
celebrities, movie producers or authors with an agenda), the accurate results of
the research, and the potential to help feed the increasing world
population? How about let's have conversations that move us
toward solving problems and stop keep shouting over the top of each
other how bad modern agriculture is?
As someone who has spent most of my adult life
living and working on a farm, making my living from it, I can tell you that the
conflicting messages form the consuming public get mighty frustrating. Not so
many years ago, all the messages were that we should use less fertilizer and
fewer pesticides, then came GMO seed and the same forces that wanted us to use
less and fewer also didn't want us to use the seed, then came the whole global
warming thing and we should use less fuel, everybody wants us to be
"sustainable" ignoring the fact that being financially viable is part
of being sustainable, and now other interests want to dictate how we conduct
animal agriculture. Another news story this morning about the tax EPA wants to
place on each farm animal, which I happen to think is less about methane gas and
global warming than it is about inflicting a vegan lifestyle upon us all. All of
this while being sure to keep food prices low for consumers. I won't say
affordable for consumers because Americans spend less than 10% of their
disposable income on food, so it's apparently affordable. Am I frustrated? You
bet! At the rate we're going, plan on the bulk of your food coming from other
countries in the not so distant future...then see how safe it is.
Sorry to rant...needed to blow off steam this
afternoon.
Brigette Leach
Avalon Farms Homegrown
Share of the Farm
|
-
Re: [Market-farming] Market-farming Digest, Vol 77, Issue 9,
Pete Vukovich, 06/08/2009
-
Re: [Market-farming] Market-farming Digest, Vol 77, Issue 9,
juliew026, 06/08/2009
- Re: [Market-farming] Market-farming Digest, Vol 77, Issue 9, Brigette Leach, 06/09/2009
-
Re: [Market-farming] Market-farming Digest, Vol 77, Issue 9,
juliew026, 06/08/2009
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