The thing I don't get with GMO labeling, why is that one breeding method singled out?

[Nailzberg]

Thousands of years of humans manipulating seeds, using our best understanding of the natural sciences of the time. We entered the agricultural age at least 10,000 years ago. That's how long we've been changing the genome.

Crossbreeding was the norm for many millennia. Modern methods - irradiation mutagenesis, protoplast fusion, embryo rescue, genetic recombination - would not be considered GMO under any labeling laws. All are genetically altered more than any GMO.

Developing GMO crops is a precise swap of targeted genes, while those methods above scramble thousands of genes. Activists worried about the unintended effects of altered crops should be fighting to label all those non-GMO breeding methods, too. Organic and GMO-free is still genetically altered, and in a less precise way.

I mean, I can bombard corn DNA with gamma rays, scramble thousands of genes, and that new breed is certified organic. But if I map the DNA of some corn, splice in one specific gene and no others, its a "deadly GMO".

When did we stop believing in science?

[eShirl]

1. It depends. If the point is to let crops survive higher levels of pesticides,

and if I'm trying to avoid ingesting even trace amounts of pesticides, I'd probably want to avoid buying GMO groceries.

[Nailzberg]

3. GMOs that are pesticide resistant are designed for less pesticide use.

That's why they do it. Modify a gene so farmers can use less pesticide more efficiently.

Even if you avoid GMOs, you're still getting pesticides. Organic farmers use dozens of organic-approved pesticides every bit as toxic and carcinogenic as the singled-out evil RoundUp. Doesn't matter, none of these GMO or Organic pesticides are harmful to us; the FDA approved levels are 100x lower than the toxic level. So I don't get the concern.


Also, not all GMOs are designed for pesticide resistance. So what is the argument against those other GMOs? There are sequences in potato DNA that create carcinogens when cooked, and that cause bruising. JR Simplot developed a potato that reduced the bruising and carcinogens. Nothing to do with pesticide. Just a healthier potato and a reduction in food waste?

[Lordquinton]

2. You should research the history of this stuff

this current GMO craze is nothing compared to the introduction of hybridized corn.

[HuckleB]

4. It comes down ugly, unethical marketing practices by organic producers.

They decided to demonize GMOs in order to scare people to their products. Now they face competition from "Non-GMO" companies, which often means they use older plants that utilize far more toxic herbicides and pesticides.

See what Chipotle's silliness really means for the environment here: http://weedcontrolfreaks.com/2015/05/what-does-chipotles-switch-to-non-gmo-ingredients-mean-for-pesticide-use/

It's really just one big marketing scam.

[HuckleB]

5. It's really about marketing by other companies.