Poll Results: GMOs

So... the latest poll results are in. This poll was regarding Genetically Modified foods and labeling of these foods as such. I also found that I have 7 regular readers (wahoo)! Anyway, the results of this poll are actually a pretty accurate representation of how America at large feels. According to a study quoted by The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods 89% of Americans want GMO's labeled. This report funded by the USDA, conducted by Rutgers University, found that only 10% of the population thought that GMO labeling should not be required. In 2007 Senator John Edwards, Governor Bill Richardson, and Senator Chris Dodd went "on the record" for their support of GMO labeling. So with this OVERWHELMING support support why aren't they?

The companies that make GMO's are not paying attention. They are doing their best to lobby in Washington to keep labels and restrictions off their foods. And yes, I know I sound like a f#@%ing activist. The problem with this is that if you are ignorant about what is going on people who have learned about it really do seem like activists or conspiracy theorists. Unfortunately that is not the case, it sounds like science fiction or a Ludlum book but it is all out there in the open, it is just that no one is drawing attention to it. Although I would also like to know how many people reading know that we have been eating GMO foods, without our knowledge, for the better part of 10 years -because I had no idea and I was furious when I found out.

So to the results:


71% of you indicate that you would want a label on GMO foods so that you could avoid purchasing them. 28% percent of you want a label on GMO foods and might consider something else, depending on the options available... but not one of you said that GMO labels did not matter. Here is an example of an imposed breakdown of supply and demand. By the rules of "supply and demand" lack of consumer demand would make GMO's a defunked product but it makes up something like 80% of the corn and soybean market.

We cannot be alone in this...
You are right, we are not alone in wanting GMO foods labeled. The United States is however only one of about 4-5 countries which does not have laws governing the introduction of GMO crops and the labeling of GMO foods. Our FDA did not even require safety testing of GMO foods before introducing them to the consumer market place, hard to even fathom if you ask me. The European Union requires labeling and as a whole are doing more to stop the GMO market than any other group. There have also been a number of studies deemed "illegal" and "infringement" which are being done in other countries showing serious health problems with animals fed GMO foods. Of course we do not acknowledge these studies here in the US and the scientists involved are probably crackpots you know... never mind that Monsanto has actually threatened some and funding has been cut on all projects involved. Several scientists have paid for their own studies in order to continue the research in these areas despite being threatened and denounced by others in their field.

I have found an incredible resource called ISIS or The Institute of Science in Society. This institute promotes "layman" understanding and responsible science, to benefit people not just companies, and communication with the public on advancements in language they can understand. They are based in England and really have put themselves in the "line of fire" as it were... The website is at http://www.i-sis.org.uk/index.php and has articles and studies related to GMO foods, documentation on "life" patents and the aggressive lobby to globalize patent law by companies such as Monsanto. There is a lot of good science on this site. We lack a lot of impartial science in the US, unfortunately most studies here reflect the outcome that the paying party wants, no matter the subject.

I urge you to visit ISIS and read more on what the rest of the world already knows... and also to visit the Campaign website to make labeling GMO foods mandatory. We have been eating GMO foods in the United States for over 10 years, think about that, we are part of an experiment being conducted at our expense. You probably did not even know and if you did know - did you also know that 70% of the foods in the grocery store have GMO ingredients? I sure as hell didn't.

Not again...
You have heard me talk about a company called Monsanto a lot... What have I got against them? What did they ever do to me? Well they are a seed company. They also own the majority of "life" patents and have developed the most GMO's to date. One of the main issues I have with this company is the conflict of interest our own government has when dealing with and creating regulations regarding its practices. There are over 17 former Monsanto employees currently holding high positions in our government, including EPA officials and FDA officials. Check out the list at the Organic Consumers Association for more details on the jobs they held and what they do now, or don't do properly, now.

What they hell can I do about it?
Get out your soap box!!! I am... if this is the first time you learned about this topic then pass it on, write your own blog, write your representatives. There are a number of senators and assemblypeople that already have concerns about this... urge them to keep going. Print out articles and include them in your letter as resources. Sign petitions and join ISIS. There are a number of things you can do, while you are checking your email...

Check out Congress.org to find your local legislative contacts: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/officials/

Keep going... post suggestions and comments about what you want to know and I will find out the information or find out where you can start to get information for yourself. Educate yourself first and that is the best way to do something about it...