49,300: Response to Farm Bureau Viewpoint

In it's recent Tribune Viewpoint article, the Farm Bureau puts forth the same tired arguments in favor of GMOs that have all been proven false. In reality, more pesticides are being used and yields are lower (see studies by Dr. Charles Benbrook and his study on GMO soybeans). Initial pesticide reductions for GMO cotton are beginning to decrease due to secondary pests.

GMO use has likely only increased because the GMO producers have bought up seed companies and discontinued conventional seed lines.

The Farm Bureau's comments are all meant to distract from the main issue: Over 49,300 experimental field tests of GMO crops have been performed in the US. Failed regulatory systems have allowed these experimental crops to contaminate our food supply.

The experiments have not been tested for human safety. The experiments have not been tested for environmental safety. The experiments are in our food supply. It may sound overdramatic but, simply put, we are part of the experiment.

Why are we letting this madness continue? Because agricultural organizations like the Farm Bureau are peddling the GMO industry message rather than looking out for farmers.

The Farm Bureau supports "co-existence" of GMO and non-GMO agriculture. Co-existence is a myth, especially if we have no idea where experimental field tests are being grown. We have no idea even what crops are being tested, what genes have been inserted, and as a result no way to test if co-existence was successful.

Without complete transparency in the process of what, where  and when GMOs are planted, there is no hope for non-GMO agriculture - either conventional or organic. This means, inevitably, the US will continue to lose foreign and domestic markets who refuse GMOs.

If the Farm Bureau was truly on the side of farmers they would demand more transparency and, until that is in place, request a moratorium on all future plantings of GMO crops.