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May 22, 2008 Opinions |
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—Editorial—
We’re Unwittingly Part Of The Frankenfood Experiment
Got milk? If so, it may have been produced by dairy cows that eat genetically modified alfalfa, corn or soybeans. Those same dairy cows may be genetically cloned. But you wouldn’t know in either case because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require labeling of genetically modified (GM) food items.
It has been estimated that with 40 varieties of GM crops approved for marketing in the U.S. as much as 60-70 percent of the foods you purchase in the grocery store contain genetically engineered components. The FDA requires food labels that tell how many calories are from fat, how many milligrams of salt and the daily percentage of vitamin C a food contains, but apparently they don’t think we need to know that the food we put in our mouths may be cobbled together by mixing different genes of plant and animal species in a laboratory.
Frankenfoods, as GM products have become known due to the comparisons of Dr. Frankenstein’s village monster he created utilizing parts from different sources, have the potential to cause allergies, antibiotic resistance, unwanted cross-pollination of crops leading to a loss of crop biodiversity and the creation of super weeds that can no longer be controlled with herbicides. The crops that are genetically modified to resist herbicides will also allow farmers to apply more of the weed killing chemicals to the foods we eat.
Opponents of GM foods say they contain substances that have never been a part of the human food supply, and they are not subjected to rigorous pre-market safety testing.
The Bush Administration’s recent proposal to provide $770 million in food aid to underdeveloped countries earmarks $150 million to be used on development farming and the use of GM crops. The GM crops are of little value to farmers in underdeveloped countries who can’t afford the herbicides such as Roundup, which the plants have been engineered to work with.
Many countries have rejected the use of GM crops, which causes a financial hardship on U.S. farmers who export their crops. Even if they don’t raise GM crops, they have to pay for testing to make sure their conventional crops haven’t been cross-pollinated by a neighboring GM field.
The big winner in this food technology is the biotech and agribusinesses that manufacture the seeds, and not by accident, the herbicides they work with.
Even so, there is an up side to raising GM crops, including improvement of pest and disease resistance, drought tolerance and higher yields. I certainly don’t have a problem with technology that has the ability to increase the global food supply, but what I do resent is the government using us as guinea pigs and literally shoving it down our throats without us knowing which products contain it.
Since no one knows for sure what the long-term consequences to health and the environment are, Americans are in the middle of an experiment with GM foods, and most don’t even know it. Those who ethically and or religiously oppose the use of products that are not part of God’s original design are in danger of violating their standards, but have no choice in the matter.
If the FDA insists that Frankenfoods are safe and the long-awaited answer to the global food crisis, then why are there no labels? Why can’t we know which foods contain them and decide for ourselves whether or not we want to be a part of the experiment? (DS)
—Letters—
Huntington Auction Very Successful
To The Record-Courier:
The Huntington Museum and the Chamber of Commerce wish to thank all of the people from Huntington, Baker City, Ontario, Fruitland and Weiser who donated new items for our Auction on May 5, 2008. We netted a little over $1,200, which will be split between the Chamber of Commerce and the Museum. We had a beautiful day for it, but not a very big crowd. The Museum uses the money for expenses on our building and the Chamber uses their money to put on the "Pioneer Days" in August. Thanks also to the people who came and bid on our auction items. We greatly appreciated it.
Norma Barton
Huntington
National Foster Care Month
To The Record-Courier:
May is National Foster Care Month and the Department of Human Services, Child Welfare, in Baker, Union and Wallowa Counties would like thank the families who open their hearts and homes to abused and neglected children. Throughout the nation and in our communities people are helping children build brighter futures by serving as their foster parents, relative care givers and adoptive parents. If you know someone who provides foster care, tell them THANK YOU for sharing their hearts and homes with children who need them.
DHS has a continual need for foster families to allow children to remain within their own communities. For more information on becoming a foster or adoptive parent please contact your local Child Welfare office. In Baker County call 523-6423; Union Co., 963-8571 or Wallowa Co., 426-4558.
Tammy Pierce, Community Development Coordinator
Baker City
Your Stimulus Check
To The Record-Courier:
I read the responses to the question in your “For the Record” column on the economic stimulus checks. One wondered where the money came from. I’ll explain it. Since the government produces nothing of value it must finance its activities by means other than commerce.
The government uses three methods to obtain revenue:
1. Taxation: This is a term used for legalized theft of money earned by others. It means less money in the pockets of the victims (American taxpayers). Less purchasing power. Less funds for necessities and trivialities.
2. Borrowing: This means that your children and grandchildren must pay for the services and benefits you receive. They probably won’t have those services and benefits, but at least they’ll have the joy of knowing they paid for yours. As this country now owes over $9 trillion, as well as $40 trillion for funding of programs enacted by “our” Congress, your children will be in debt their entire lives.
3. Printing fiat money: This has been the favored method of financing government activities since the Federal Reserve Bank was unconstitutionally brought into being. This method is the main reason your dollar no longer purchases what if did just last year. In 1913 a loaf of bread cost one nickel. Bought a loaf recently?
As far as spending the economic stimulus, your money was spent even before it was taken from your paycheck. The money you’ll receive will come from one of the three methods of revenue mentioned above, perhaps two or maybe all three.
Using it for travel — The country was freer, healthier and more prosperous when the government was inactive in the economy. By the time you decide to use the money to travel it won’t buy you a bus ticket to Boise and you probably won’t be allowed to travel anyhow.
David Chaney
Baker City
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