Legible Labels

September 9, 2013

Do No Harm. A precautionary position (the precept that an action should not be taken if the consequences are uncertain and potentially dangerous to the general public and environment) is what we asked of Minnesota Senator Al Franken’s staff this morning. I joined a gathering of ten participants to approach the representatives and discuss the Senator’s position on GMO labeling (“genetically modified organisms,” are plants or animals created through the gene splicing techniques of biotechnology (also called genetic engineering, or GE.) I was prepared to simply absorb information through osmosis. The experts, citing examples of research, policy, facts (62 countries have banned GMO’s, two states in this country have already passed labeling laws with more to come, Coke and Pepsi companies produce non-GMO foods to export to Europe, etc) and figures that were mainly over my head, spewing details about farmers who are facing bankruptcy because Montesano has sued them for the obvious drifting that takes place, pollinating once pure organic crops that morph into Engineered produce. I learned a lot this morning, about Round-Up using additive Agent Orange chemicals to combat the evolving Super Weeds. Yikes. I have four notebook pages of notes, that I mostly cannot decipher, since I do not write in shorthand and my writing is much like an illegible doctor’s RX.

I asked the Senator’s strong arms to tell us what would change Senator Franken’s mind-50,000 signatures on a petition? He claims to be waiting for the FDA approval prior to standing behind labeling the GMO products. Two former Montesano muckity mucks sit on the FDA Board. The Grocers Association is against labeling, what a surprise. Do we so easily forget the Montesano squealer who claimed they would need to place a skull and cross bones on the label, if they had to be honest with the public?

A cattle farmer conducted his own study with GMO corn versus organic corn feed. The cows refused to touch the GMO corn. When he took away the organic corn, they refused to eat the GMO feed for several days. The farmer did not have the heart to starve his cows in order to find out how long they would go without eating the Genetically Modified pretend corn. See? Even the cows want it labeled. Or to have the GMO’s go away altogether. Now wouldn’t that be grand.

Nothing like a cool key lime pie on a hot summer day. Tangy smooth pudding texture with a light graham cracker crust. If you hurry over, I may have some left. I can pronounce all of the ingredients on the label, and know what they are. I’ll be up late. Too many locusts chirping.