The Ecologist describes in-depth five reasons why GM crops should not be allowed in the United Kingdom. The five points covered are:
Along with each category are several sub-categories and detailed explanations. Other points mentioned in the article include problems with antibiotic resistance, allergic reactions and cross pollination, and genetic pollution, crop failures and the impact of GM crops on small farmers.
The Ecologist August, 2003
GM food is a topic I have frequently discussed. Although this article discusses genetically engineered crops from Britain's perspective, the points it makes are applicable to any country.
One of the sub-topics under "Farmers Will be Destroyed" is "Organic Farmers Ruined." Unfortunately, that is starting to happen now in the United States as more and more organic crops become contaminated with the genes from genetically engineered crops. Over time, the new USDA ORGANIC label may come to represent an inferior organic product compared to organic crops from those countries that are not allowing genetically engineered crops to be grown.
The fastest way to dramatically reduce the acreage of genetically engineered crops being grown in the United States is to pass mandatory labeling legislation. Once genetically engineered foods are required to be labeled, manufacturers will begin using non-genetically engineered ingredients. And if food manufacturers stop buying genetically engineered crops, farmers will stop growing them. It is the basic law of supply and demand. Remove the demand, and the supply will quickly go away.
Hopefully the supply will fade before any more damage is done. Consuming genetically modified foods is like participating in a giant experiment. There is no telling what the consequences of using these GM foods will be because these products have never existed before now.
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Prominent Scientists Form Group to Counter GM Food
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