STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSES MOUTH

Duane A. Lienemann
UNL Extension Educator

     My eyes are either trained to look for these things, or they just seem to find me. I read a couple of things that have a tendency to get my undivided attention and this week is no different. A couple of weeks ago I talked about Dr. Oz attack on what he called the “GMO Pesticide” and wanted to talk some more on that, but something else caught my eye so I want to work with that in this week’s issue. It does however involve GMO’s. I had the great opportunity last week to be a part of the Hastings College “Faces of Food” Conference during their Artist Lecture Series. I would guess that everyone knows that I am not much of an artist, but this panel discussion was both challenging and a lot of fun.  One thing that came out pretty loud and clear to me was the questions on GMO’s. I could have spent hours talking about it, but we only had an hour. There were some pretty pointed questions and a lot of need for literacy when it comes to this topic. Unfortunately there is a lot of misinformation, myths and fear-mongering out there that has a lot of people questioning our food. Critics of genetically modified organisms or GMOs claim that they pose health risks to the public, but without scientific proof. 
     There are a lot of agendas out there, many of which are what I would consider hostile to conventional farming and especially what a lot of people call “Big Ag”. Fanning those hostilities and misinformation are blogs and websites on the internet that have no barriers and do not have to back up their claims or charges. There was a line in a movie, whose name escapes me at the moment that was….”Just follow the money!” Unfortunately that applies to the attacks on GMO’s, conventional agriculture and the practices that most farmers conduct. I have done just that and it may surprise you where the funding comes from when it comes to a lot of websites, bloggers, etc. that are behind a lot of the misinformation. 
     There was an item that came out this last couple of days that bothered me, so I did a little research on that.  You may have seen the recent news coverage of a Consumer Reports study on GMOs. I was really disappointed that it contains misinformation and misleads consumers about the valuable role that GMOs play. You would think that a group like this would be more science-based and factual in their reporting. I think it worthwhile that I provide you with some resources if you choose to set the record straight and to give ammunition to individuals who may have face-to-face conversations concerning this topic. I have lost a lot of respect for the Consumer Reports…..maybe I just need to “follow the money!”
     First of all, contrary to what was reported by Consumer Reports, GM seeds go through strict regulatory approval process to ensure that they are safe before they come to market, including mandatory reviews by the USDA and EPA. I might point out that only Genetically Modified, or more properly “Genetically Engineered”, seeds are required to go through the regulatory process. All told, it usually takes 13 years of testing and approval processes before it can be brought to market. Here’s a place you can go that describes its journey to market: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/438819557414671607/   
     What all of this comes down to for consumers, though, is a misconception of what “GMO” really means. I found it interesting that Jimmy Kimmel broached this subject on his show the other night. To get the scoop, Jimmy Kimmel sent a camera crew to a local farmers market to ask real people why they try to avoid GMOs and, more importantly, what GMO even means. The results are both hilarious and troubling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzEr23XJwFY . Is it good for you? Is it bad for you? Or is it just OMG backwards? I however don’t see the attack on biotech agriculture humorous!
     Scientific communities are confident in the progress that can be made using genetically engineered crops throughout the world; drought-tolerant corn, anyone? How about the pesticides and tillage put aside because of BT and Round-up Ready? When it comes to consumer education, there really should not be language that insights fear and further mystifies definition of GMOs altogether. Rather, what is really needed is a conversation based on sound science and practicality. You can go to the internet and find some very good information that will counter the anti-GMO claims or to ease the fears that consumers and the general public has about this topic.  Simply go to: http://www.fooddialogues.com/foodsource/gmo.  It has a wealth of information on several topics. I suggest that you watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-urq3kVhQM  and then pass it on to those that you think may be misinformed and need to learn more about crop innovation! I would also encourage everyone curious about GMOs to visit www.GMOAnswers.com or http://factsaboutgmos.org/   and read up!
     If we truly want to demystify the GMO, then fear and misinformation have no place—in news articles, Facebook ads, and yes, even—and most importantly—legislation. The reason I say that is that I just found out that in Hawaii, through the legislative process, passed a bill that prohibits biotech companies from operating on the Big Island and banning farmers from growing any new genetically altered crops! Can you imagine if that happened here in Nebraska? 
     It may interest you that we just passed a major milestone on a global basis. It’s no small number – 4 billion acres of biotech crops have now been planted globally. There are, according to detractors, a lot about biotech crops that we don’t know, but what is known is that biotech crops have been rapidly adopted and grown by farmers around the world, and safely consumed by billions of consumers over and over again. There have been many studies on humans and livestock to determine any ill-effects and there are no reputable reports or results to back up the claims that the fear-mongers generate and that the bloggers and anti-ag groups proliferate the internet with. I for one will continue to eat my “Frankenfood”!!! 

The preceding information comes from the research and personal observations of the writer which may or may not reflect the views of UNL or UNL Extension. For more further information on these or other topics contact D. A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator for Webster County in Red Cloud, (402) 746-3417 or email to: dlienemann2@unl.edu or go to the website at: http://www.webster.unl.edu/home