GM (genetically modified) foods may or may not be good for us, but currently, due to the secrecy around GM in Australia and other countries, we have no way of knowing. GM has been a hot issue for a couple of decades now, along with cloning, and while some countries have completely banned it and others have embraced it, Australia seems to be testing the waters with GM. Over 80% of GM crops are grown in the US, Argentina and Brazil. 13% are grown in China, India and Canada. More on GM tomorrow.

Why all the concern about GM foods?

• The GM companies have developed GM crops which are resistant only to their own brand of chemical sprays.
• GM seeds and sprays are very costly for farmers.
• GM companies have strict patents on GM crops and refuse to allow any independent scientific access to study GM products.
• There are heavy fines and legal consequences for any farmers who provide independent researchers with seeds.
• Scientists who do obtain seeds for testing are mysteriously marginalised in the scientific community and many have lost their jobs.
• Despite heavy lobbying by citizens and other groups to have GM products labelled as such, there is still no requirement in Australia and other countries to label GM foods. This is indeed strange considering how strict labelling is now around sugars, fats and other additives. We have a right to know.
• GM companies refuse to confirm or deny the ups or downs of GM products, and refuse to provide any evidence or findings through usual channels, such as through independent research and reviews by the scientific community.
• Many important scientific tests have either not been done or have been done only by GM companies themselves.
• In some countries, GM crops have cross-pollinated with non-GM crops, which were used in human food production. This means humans ate GM food without their knowledge. It also affected the certified organic and normal farmers whose crops were infected.
• One of the major claims by GM companies for GM crops may be their use in ending poverty and hunger. However, poverty and hunger are caused first and foremost by land rights issues, international debt, trade inequalities, conflict, corruption and food distribution problems – not from the lack of GM technology.

What are the promoted benefits of GM?

• GM crops could be developed that benefit our health and environment, such as with ‘blue cotton’ for making denim, so dyes don’t have to be used.
• GM companies claim that GM crops can be grown with no-till farming, producing a better yield.
• Some GM crops need to be sprayed less, sometimes not at all, so less chemicals are used.
• GM crops may be useful in the future for feeding the growing world population.
• GM can produce food with specific nutritional benefits, such as with ‘golden rice’, for example, which was engineered to have a yellow pigment added, known as betacarotene, which is converted into vitamin A, and is a massive benefit to vitamin A deficient-related diseases in developing countries (unfortunately no golden rice crops have been planted in developing nations due to the GM companies ‘not being able to provide it without charging royalties’).

What is already GM in Australia?

• Cotton – used in fabrics, cottonseed meal (fed to animals), cotton oil (used in commercial frying, fast foods and some spreads).
• Corn – added in various forms to chocolate, sweeteners, breads, cakes, low-cal beer, softdrinks, canned fruit, icecream, frozen desserts and thousands of other products.
• Canola – for coking oil and in margarines and other processed foods.
• Soy – used in making soymilk, soy sauce, tofu, margarine, icecream, non-dairy whiteners, whips, cheese, yoghurt, peanut butter, potato chips and much more.

What can we do?

Buy only organic cotton, corn, canola and soy products if you’re concerned about GM.

To date, the lack of transparency and the continued secrecy about GM foods by the GM companies makes all concerned very uncomfortable. The lack of data means GM food benefits can not be justified or disputed. Is GM safe or is it hazardous? What are they hiding?