[Germany] Bans Monsanto GMO Corn

Been a long time... And this news is a pretty old now. I'm catching up on old emails. But still good news. --ianna.

re-posted from Action Spark

Germany Bans Monsanto GMO Corn, posted by Kyra, 04/14/09

Germany just recently joined a number of other European countries who have banned Monsanto GMO (Genetically Modified) corn from being grown in the country.

Monsanto corn has until now been the only GMO crop grown somewhat widely in Europe, the EU having been wary of GMO crops overall since their introduction to the global food market. This is definitely a win for the the movement against spreading GMO crops.

GMO’s are problematic for many reasons. First off, many people have psychological barriers to the idea of eating a tomato with genes from an elephant. There’s just something a bit strange about the idea. For some people this is a religious matter based on humans meddling with God’s work. However there are also major health concerns regarding GMO’s, and huge political battles being waged over the way companies handle and patent them. It is the case that we do not know how GMO crops will affect the environments they are introduced to on any kind of long term basis, nor how fiddling with our foods genetic makeup could affect the health of humans consuming it. While hybrid species are often capable of growing back into natural or heritage varieties, it is unlikely that GMO plants be able to rid themselves of genes not related in anyway to their species. Is there any research suggesting that GMO plants could be reintroduced into the environment and returned to their original strain over time?

The main argument against GMO’s is that there isnt enough conclusive evidence to show they are not harmful. It is also the case that many companies have taken advantage of genetic modification to patent and charge exorbitant prices for different disease resistant strains of GMO crops, such as Monsanto’s corn. It is possible for these companies to sue farmers living next door to GMO crop sowing neighbours if some of the seed blows over into their field and takes root.

Companies also often make these seeds so that they cannot reproduce on their own.Thus farmers are obliged to buy and rebuy seeds each year, making more money for the companies, but strangling the workers of the agricultural sector across the globe.

To read a brief BBC article on the recent banning of Monsanto corn, go here.