Three hundred farmers recently took over
the building and interrupted a meeting
where the Brazil National Biosafety Technical
Commission was deciding whether or
not to introduce genetically engineered (GE/
GM/GMO) transgenic eucalyptus trees into
their biosphere. These activists and thousands
more around the country have halted plans
temporarily, but the assault continues by international
corporations bent on patenting and controlling the environment itself.
At home, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has already approved
the first corporate-sponsored, patented, genetically modified tree, ArborGen’s
loblolly pine. Despite outspoken public opposition, the USDA approved it with no
public oversight nor assessment of the environmental risks it poses.
Grass-fed beef farmers, supplying an alternative that many seek to avoid
GMO feed grain, now have to cope with the advent of genetically modified grass.
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Monsanto’s exclusive consumer sales agent
for RoundUp glyphosate weed killer, intends to conduct field trials at the homes
of company employees absent government oversight, because no laws currently
prohibit or limit the planting of GMO grass.
In February, the government approved the first genetically modified apple
for commercial planting. The Arctic apple is part of a growing list of sanctioned
GMO fresh produce, including papaya and sweet corn. A gene within the apple is
altered so it resists browning and bruising.
Many people die or go blind from vitamin A deficiency, so the Gates Foundation
has funded research by Australia’s Queensland University of Technology to
create a vitamin-enhanced, GMO “super banana”. Testing on humans will take
place in the U.S. over a six-week period and researchers aim to start growing the
fruit in Uganda by 2020.
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