Genetically Modified Organisms are created with three major components: The gene they want to transfer, the target species they want to put that gene into, and a carrier cell to transfer the gene into the target species. A DNA launching ‘gun’ transfers a part of one gene into another cell. Unfortunately, this process is not an exact science, making each new strain an altered version of the previous cell, and causing cell mutations.. With this process, agricultural companies create ideal strains of vegetables and fruits. An example of this process is the combination of fish cells with tomato cells which makes the tomato skin more resistant, firm, and attractive.

A longer lasting product is a harmless incentive for customers and corporations alike, or so it seems. Since GMO’s have been introduced, staggering evidence has shown that the effects of GMO’s benefit no one except for the companies taking advantage of the unknowing public.

A Brief History

Since their 1994 introduction, there has been an immense amount  of side effects on humans and the environment. A study done by the University of Caen in France revealed that rats fed GMO corn from the American agricultural behemoth Monsanto developed tumors as a result of kidney and liver failure. Through this study, Professor Gilles-Eric Séralini observed infertility, higher rates of cancerous tumors and substantial deviations in premature rates of death between the control groups and those rats fed a diet of GMO corn. This study offers terrifying conclusions considering that near to 70% of America’s processed food is Genetically Modified. However staggering, the GMO industry has attempted to discredit the studies conclusions by claiming that the University of Caen in France is operated by “crafty activists”.

This year on the California ballot there was a vote on “Proposition 37” that would decide whether or not to label GMO food. Food companies like Monsanto, Nestle, and DuPont spent upwards of 45 million dollars in order to prevent the law from being passed. Monsanto also meddles with the smaller family farms around America. Their ‘seed patent’ which is specific to their companies GMO seeds, allow them to sue many organic and independent farmers to the point of bankruptcy if pollen from a Monsanto crop is found on an independent farm. So far 27,000 small farms have gone out of business due to Monsanto’s bullying tactics.

The Influence of the Agri-Giants

Naturally, this shows the amount of power Monsanto and other GMO industry related suppliers have. Also, courts have continuously upheld Monsanto’s right to raid these farms. For example, in a New York Federal court in February 2012, the judge upheld Monsanto’s claim that their effect on the average farmer was not widespread enough. However Monsanto and others, thanks to this judicial precedent, are able to continue infringing upon the rights of small time farmers who make up less than 2% of agricultural production in the United States.

It is because of the Agri-Giants that the average mom and pop farm cannot thrive and also these agricultural leaders are peddling food to the public that is not safe for the consumer. Monsanto, Dupont, and Syngenta control half of the worlds supply of produce and it’s for this reason that an immense number of countries have banned GMO foods. The list of countries thaat have banned GMO’s is as follows: Italy, Australia, France, Germany, India, Norway, Luxembourg, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Egypt, Switzerland, Russia, and Thailand. It may strike as strange that so many countries around the world have taken such an active stance against GMO’s and yet here in the US the average American hears very little about the problems with them.

Here’s an interesting point for consideration; Michael R Taylor, the head of the FDA, used to be Monsanto’s head lobbyist. To put it in simple terms the ‘fox is guarding the hen house’. President Obama’s appointment of Taylor to the head of the FDA exemplifies the interconnection of these Agri-giants with the Federal government. This is a terrifying thing to consider when trying to figure out why GMO’s, which cause terrible health complications such as cancer and sterilization, are not labeled. Taylor once promised to label GMO foods as head of the FDA but his track record with Monsanto as well as his term as head of the FDA shows that he has fought to prevent the labeling of GMO’s altogether.

Cause for Concern

The fact of the matter is that our healthy food options are being bullied out of existence by these big time agricultural giants with the support of the federal government. Our naturally occurring strains of organic vegetables and produce are being muscled out by the mutations and it is now becoming exceedingly more difficult to avoid these foods.

However there are ways to fight back. You can be more conscience of your choices at the grocery store. Buying foods that are labeled as part of the non-GMO project is an easy way to stop endorsing a company like Monsanto from taking advantage of the consumer, or in other words YOU! It may seem as though the average person needs the big businesses for their day-to-day life, but this is a common misconception. They need your support to thrive, and supporting Monsanto means that you, the consumer, get a bunk deal. They get your money, and you get the adverse effects of their chemicals and genetically mutated strains of produce. It would be in the publics best interest to boycott GMO’s altogether, but a first step in this process would be to educate the public, meaning that GMO’s need to be labeled.

Moving Forward

The facts have been presented and now it is up to you to make the first step towards change. First off, you can be more aware of what you are buying in the grocery market and make sure that everything you purchase is part of the non-GMO project. Second, you can utilize your First Amendment right to petition the government for redress of grievances and not let your discontent be ignored. Also, write to your Congressman and to President Obama constantly to show that we, as a well educated public, will not stand for the apparent revolving door between the federal governments employees, elected officials, and the private sector. Third and finally, stay educated on the current news and petitions on the GMO issue (‘Like’ “Occupy Monsanto” on Facebook), and capitalize on every opportunity to advance the labeling of GMO’s. Exemplify the movement by being an avid supporter of the cause against GMO’s and perhaps we can evoke the change we wish to see in the system.