Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Buy Non GMO Seeds Online For Food Purity

By Karina Frost


Gardeners like to see natural forces at work. They like working the soil, adding good things to it, and watching green shoots pop up. Many practice organic gardening methods, producing good food untainted with pesticides or herbicides. They hope to cope with harmful insects and plant diseases without harming beneficial insects and soil organisms. These organic gardeners will be happy to know they can buy non GMO seeds online.

Many people don't know much about genetic modification of crops. In fact, relatively little research has been done; the planet is being used as a laboratory. Altering the DNA of a cell to create something never before seen in nature might be harmless; then again, it might not. When DNA, which contains information that controls reproduction, is altered, the organism cannot reproduce. This may be a blessing, since no one really knows what successive generations of GMOs would be like.

Creators of GMOs say that the technology will produce higher yields, which is important for the earth's growing populations. Many look instead to the higher profits it creates for the owners of the technology. Modified soybean plants, for example, can withstand heavier applications of pesticides like Roundup. Companies not only profit from selling the seed, they also make more from increased herbicide sales.

It's ironic that the environmentalists are so silent on the subject of genetic modification. After all, the 'save-the-planet' movement started with the realization that DDT and other pesticides and herbicides were harming our air, soil, and water. Birds and other wildlife were dying as mankind attempted to make farming less labor-intensive and swampy areas full of mosquitoes fit for habitation.

It would be enlightening to see how much money manufacturers of GMOs and farm chemicals contribute to environmentalist movements. America is embracing the technology of 'factory farming', while Europe is resisting concepts like genetic modification, mono-cropping, and mass production of animals. The European Common Market has banned the use of systemic pesticides, which become part of the plant they profess to protect; the manufacturers are suing and the bees have come back.

Concerned consumers should support the small operations that sell heirloom or organic seed that is not altered. Since GMOs are patented products, most catalog-sale companies don't market modified seed either. However, unless there is an organic label or heirloom guarantee, consumers must ask before assuming anything. Ask customer service before buying.

Another reason to use natural seed is that you may want to save seed from this year's crop for next year's planting. GMO seed does not reproduce; in other words, any saved seed will be worthless. This, of course, gives great control over the food supply to those who sell altered seed. It also means that you won't have any of those neat little volunteer plants that many gardeners love.

Under present guidelines, seed labeled 'organic' will not be modified. Heirloom seed and plants are also unaltered. It behooves all who value purity to guard heirloom varieties carefully and pay attention to attempts to change regulations.




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