Editor’s note: This op-ed is by Timothy Gillis Sheble-Hall, a senior at the University of Vermont who is studying food systems. He grew up on a sheep farm in Dover, Mass.
Labeling GMOs is a policy rooted in power. Power for consumers to know what is in their food that they buy, power for families to know what they are putting in their bodies, and the power of a nation to democratically make decisions about its food system.
Right now the large food corporations disproportionately hold that power. For this reason Vermont legislators have shied away from passing a GMO labeling policy. There are countless reasons why we should organize around the issue of GMOs and continue to push for effective legislation.
Genetically modified seed disempowers farmers. Monsanto is a powerful GMO seed producer that owns a large portion of the market. The company gives many terms to farmers, such as the decree that no farmer may save Monsanto seed and reuse it the next year. I do not want to romanticize the idea that all farmers save their seed annually. I know that here in the U.S., much of the food we eat comes from farmers who buy new seed. Globally, however, many small farmers who cannot afford to buy new seed each year rely on saving seed. These small farmers are in trouble as the gospel of GM seed is spread to developing countries. I also think it is a threat to our seed supply when one company can have so much power over such a large portion of the market. I have so much trust and admiration in the farmers that I know in my life. When I envision my ideal food system, I want as much power and decision making ability as possible in the hands of farmers rather than Monsanto, DuPont and PepsiCo.
Genetically modified seed disempowers consumers. There is so much we do not know about the health repercussions of this food. Studies have been hushed, blocked and discouraged by food industry giants. Author and Cornell professor Philip McMichael states, “Genetically-improved food is only sustainable through the complicity of governments, scientists, and agro-chemical corporations in concealing ingredients from consumers and biological hazards from citizens.” Labeling is such a simple, direct way to give consumers the power of information. Why does Monsanto wish to deny consumers the knowledge of whether or not our corn tortilla chips were produced with products from their seeds? Shouldn’t they be proud of the seeds they produce?
The myth commonly disseminated by GMO proponents is that the altered seed is crucial in order to produce necessary yields to feed a growing population. This myth shines GMO and Monsanto opponents in an unethical light, as if we are elitist to promote a more localized, organic food system. The numbers show that we have more of an equitable distribution problem than a yield problem. McMichael again points out that global crop yields have exceeded population growth since the 1950s, yet there is still a disturbing amount of malnourished people in this world. GM seed is the not the silver bullet to end world hunger, that much is obvious.
It seems that money, not political will, is the foremost barrier to passing legislation in order to label GMOs in food. Money has given food corporations an inordinate amount of power in how we structure our food system.
It seems that money, not political will, is the foremost barrier to passing legislation in order to label GMOs in food. Money has given food corporations an inordinate amount of power in how we structure our food system. This imbalance was made clear in the latest election when the opposition to California’s labeling bill, led by Monsanto, DuPont and PepsiCo, outspent proponents $46 million to $9.2 million.
Gov. Shumlin recently made clear that he wishes to pass GMO labeling legislation, but is apprehensive of the legal costs involved when Monsanto inevitably takes the state to court. While we may not have the funds to outspend these large corporations, Vermont has the undeniable force of people power. Whether it was working to recover from Irene, or pass universal health care, Vermont has shown that when we come together, we are truly strong.
Labeling GMOs will not accomplish all the change needed in our food system, but it will certainly be a step in the right direction. What do you want your food system to look like?
I want a more local, organic system that is focused on communities working together. Healthy food should be accessible to everyone. Our food system should be structured around meeting everyone’s basic needs without destroying our ecosystems for future generations. We deserve to know what’s in our food.
Let’s come together to continue to build a movement that accomplishes these goals. Talk to your neighbors, talk to your friends, talk to your enemies, talk to your legislators, and get involved with VT Right to Know GMO. http://vtrighttoknow.org/
