The giant agriculture, chemical,
and drug companies have a lot to gain financially from
GMOs (genetically
modified organisms) which is why they spend so much
money researching and promoting them. And perhaps genetically
engineered food has some great potential benefits for
feeding people. But time is clearly not yet on the
side of the GMO argument. Hundreds of millions of years
of natural evolution vs. a few years of splicing and
dicing? Even UK Prime Minister Tony Blair voiced concern
about the potential of GMOs, saying, "The key
word here is potential, both in terms of harm and benefit.
The potential for good highlights why we were right
not to slam the door on GM food or crops without further
research. The potential for harm shows why we are right
to proceed very cautiously and check to make sure that
our natural pet foods and
natural dog treats are also GMO-free. And this is exactly
what we are doing.
GMO products do not require labeling in this country.
Many
products
are
genetically
modified and in widespread use all over the world.
Soybeans are one of the leading crops of genetically
engineered foods and soy protein is used in thousands
of different products. Usually, plants are modified
to be more resistant to pests by increasing the amount
of “naturally occurring” anti-pest chemicals
in the plant. Also, plants are modified so that they
will be more tolerant to herbicides and pesticides.
These “Round-Up Ready” plants allow more
toxic chemical spraying and these chemicals may eventually
find their way onto your table -- not to mention into
waterways, lakes, oceans, etc. This genetic experiment
could have untold environmental, economic and social
ramifications for which there are no tests except the
test of time. We don't know for a fact that genetically-modified
ingredients will cause dog
health problems. But we
also don't know for a fact that they won't.
The GMO controversy parallels the last
great food controversy -- no, not Oprah vs. Big Beef,
but that of the so-called Bovine Growth Hormone. The
campaign of
disinformation surrounding BGH leads one to question the information companies
provide (if any) about GMO’s. BGH is itself a genetically modified hormone
given to cows to increase milk production. With production greatly exceeding
the cow’s natural capacity to produce milk, the udder often becomes puss-filled
and ridden with ulcers. This requires an increase in antibiotics. It is no coincidence
that antibiotic allowances were increased 100 times just as the BGH was introduced.
Most cows could not survive the hormone without the massive doses of antibiotics.
And, unfortunately, these antibiotics, as well as proteins not found in normal
milk, make their way into BGH produced milk. (Of course studies show no such
thing happens, but in the relevant studies, the milk was pasteurized for 30 minutes.
Most milk is pasteurized for only 15-30 seconds.) These kinds of studies are
great for business and bad for consumers who have a right to know what they are
eating. This is one reason protests (such as those in Seattle and Minneapolis)
surrounding conferences on genetic engineering have made headlines. Surely, the
GMO controversy will continue. In the meantime, why worry? Just seek out GMO-free
pet foods and watch for more protests on
CNN. Our slogan, “Feed Your Pet the Way Nature Intended,” says it all.
Whenever possible -- make sure your natural dog food is also GMO-free.
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Sojourner Farms. All rights reserved.
