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Terminator Seeds: The End Of Sustainable Agriculture?Terminator seeds are genetically engineered to be sterile after the first harvest. And, genetic engineering (also called ge, genetic modification, or gmo) is the manipulation of genetic material to produce an alteration in the characteristics of an organism. The organism can be any living thing like plants, animals, bugs, bacteria or viruses. The change is not naturally done by evolution or even controlled breeding. It is done by scientists who introduce DNA characteristics from other life forms into the target organisms DNA. These changes are invoked by use of a 'gene gun' which shoots DNA material into the target. Or another method is to have bacteria carry in the DNA material into cells. Trouble with this is that where it lands can't be controlled by science. Monsanto refers to themselves as an agricultural company. They own US Patent #5,723,756 for terminator seeds. A huge outcry against these seeds prompted Monsanto to state they don't plan to use them until things settle down, so the speak. In their stead, they have come up with a new plan. That of 'gene switchers' or Terminator 2 seeds. These seeds would be infertile until being 'activated' by chemical spraying. What chemicals would that be? An array of Monsanto's own chemicals which includes their herbicides and their pesticides. What this means to sustainable agriculture Farmers have traditionally saved the seeds of their best crops for replanting. This is sustainable agriculture. It has worked for centuries. Terminator seeds put an end to that. Currently, an estimated 500 million farmers world wide grow ge crops. Most of these farmers are poor from poor nations. There would be no more saving seeds. Each year Monsanto would get paid for a new order of seeds or the activation chemicals. Terminator 2 seeds ensure only Monsanto's chemical products are used. Sounds like a sweet deal for Monsanto. The impact becomes more clear when you look at soybeans. In 2006, Monsanto had 70% of the world's soybean crop planted with their genetically modified soybeans designed to be herbicide resistant. Sustainable agriculture works with the environment. The soil is recognized as being alive. Healthy soil rich in nutrients, produce healthy plants. These healthy plants are high in nutrients and are naturally resistant to pests and disease. So ask yourself, "If sustainable agriculture were used, would ge crops even be needed?" And, "What benefit does terminator seeds offer to sustainable agriculture?" What You Can Do 1. Cut back or eliminate processed food from your diet. An estimated 70% of processed food products contain GE ingredients. 2. Buy organic whenever possible. 3. Let your representative know that you want mandatory labeling of GE foods. 4. Let your representative know your position on terminator seeds and sustainable agriculture. 5. Support your organic farmer.
Organic production does not permit genetic engineering. Feeding a planet of people is a huge task. Yet, solutions that cause problems are not in fact solutions. Let's support workable, sustainable solutions and cast all others aside. If you enjoyed this article, please sign up for my free Newsletter (e-zine) Organic Sensible Living. I will deliver updates right to your inbox. And better yet, each issue has a new article full of valuable information for you. Just complete the form below and then click the Subscribe button.
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