Although the subject matter remains somewhat controversial in America, what this article is truly about is your right to know what is contained in the food you purchase.

Let’s begin with the facts. Monsanto is one of the largest chemical companies in the world. We first heard of them during the Vietnam War. The dense jungles made battling the North Vietnamese more dangerous. Monsanto had a solution; “Agent Orange.” This product was a powerful defoliant, but the company claimed that it was harmless to human beings.

After our nation withdrew from Vietnam, our returning military began to suffer from an undefinable illness; some lost their lives. Tests discovered that thousands of men were suffering from the effects of exposure to “Agent Orange.”

Monsanto later developed an herbicide which would kill weeds, but not harm crops. It is called “Roundup.” It continues to be their biggest seller to date. It is sold in different strengths for specific uses by home gardeners to corporate farms.

When the weeds growing between crops became resistant to Roundup, Monsanto scientists developed a stronger version, but the crops were also damaged. Enter the invention of GMOs. Genetically Modified Organisms were infused in seeds which made them resistant to the new and improved Roundup.

Scientists in more than 60 nations around the world decided that GMOs can cause physical harm to humans over a period of years. The governments of these nations, including the European Union, Australia, and Japan, have either banned the use of GMOs, or required labeling to inform consumers.

The FDA also tested GMOs in America, and deemed them safe. The testing was performed by Monsanto.

The United States Senate passed legislation yesterday forcing the food industry to label foods manufactured with the use of GMOs. It was suggested that they use one of several methods, including bar codes, to be read by smart phones. The law is ambiguous, and not easily understood by the general public. It contains no punishment for manufacturer’s failure to comply with the labeling requirements.

The primary reason this legislation was passed, is to prevent a Vermont law, which took effect on July 1^st, from becoming a standard adopted by other states. The law was simple, and easily identifiable. The label simply says, “made with GMO products.”

The new federal law supersedes state laws, and the food industry will now be allowed to use less honest and informative labeling methods. This is a blatant effort to protect food manufacturers who have opposed any form of labeling. They continue to claim that GMOs increase food production and are entirely safe; both blatant falsehoods.

The bottom line is that our government and major food producers do not want you to know everything used to manufacture the food you and your family consume. It’s another instance of profit before people.

Monsanto has proven itself to be criminal and has lost the trust of consumers. Our government is in collusion with this major corporation to insure that their profits soar, while the health and safety of the American people may be in danger.

The American people have a right to know. We can no longer accept our government’s claims that ‘it is in our best interests if certain information is kept secret.’ And we definitely have a right to know what we are putting inside our bodies. We should be allowed to make our own decision whether or not to consume food made with GMOs.

Once more our government has proven that it cannot be trusted. I have zero faith in the 535 men and women we elected to serve the people. They protect big business, and ignore the needs, rights, and wants of our nation’s people.

This GMO situation is a perfect example of a failed government.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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