Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Michael Pollan On Opportunity To Reclaim Real Food Vote Yes On 37

There have been multiple studies published on the dangers of GMOs, and knowing the practices of biotech companies, there are likely thousands more we don’t even know about. One study that did make it to the public though, recently published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology, concluded that long-term exposure to GMO foods caused enlarged tumors and devastating health complications in mice. Look at the pictures at your own risk — they’re quite disturbing. So why was this study not the be-all-end-all in determining the safety of these crops? Or a catalyst for immediately funding more, similar research? Lead author of that study, Professor Gilles-Eric Séralini, said, “It’s criminal that there is this much laxness in reviewing these products.” Lax doesn’t even begin to describe it. Now, our food supply is twelve days away from being more in our control, or completely and utterly out of our control. And the responsibility rests on the residents of California.

In the video below, bestselling author Michael Pollan discusses this unique opportunity to finally take the food movement to the government. However, you’ll notice he is careful about how he engages in discussion regarding the safety or risks associated with genetically modified foods.

After all, the institution for which he teaches, University of California Berkeley, conducts studies on GMO seeds and foods. Additionally, as pointed out by Pollan’s colleague, University of California at Berkeley professor Ignacio Chapela, there’s an unspoken ban on “asking certain questions and finding certain results” with regards to GMOs. He says, “It’s very hard for us to publish in this field. People are scared.”

Certainly we can understand Pollan’s hesitation to make any bold statements but ever the advocate for clean, healthy food, Pollan finds an alternative way to appeal to voters and advocate a yes vote on Proposition 37.

He appeals to the potential the American people have to take our food supply out of the hands of corporate greed. He stresses that, health matters on the back burner, this issue is also about the right to know what is in the foods we consume, especially if questions of safety still exist, as they do. He also addresses the question of President Obama’s promise to label GMO foods with a response so enticing and accurate, it gives me hope for the future of our agriculture (…sort of).

This video is a must watch from beginning to end and a must share, especially if you have friends or family in California.

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