A Small Victory for the opponents of GM

Every now and then there is a little bit of good news about the environment, and the food we eat.

The good news is that Monsanto has, for now, abandoned trying to sell genetically modified (GM) wheat. Public opposition to GM food sources, particularly in Europe, has been the primary driving force behind that abandonment. Without a market to sell its product Monsanto has given up.

While Monsanto is giving up because of the bottom line, it is important to underscore the reasons for public opposition. As Mad Cow disease, and now Avian flu, have demonstrated, messing with nature can have unforeseen consequences. The long term effects of genetically modifying our sources of food could create diseases and environmental effects we currently cannot envision. (for more information click here).

GM wheat could easily pollute the environment. Farmers and consumers not wishing to grow or buy GM wheat could have that choice removed from them, as GM seeds carried on the wind infect non-GM fields. It could become impossible for farmers to grow wheat that does not contain GM seed.

Being forced to grow GM wheat would also mean that farmers would be forced to buy their seed from Monsanto. GM wheat is a patented product. The patent does not allow farmers to save seed to be reused, they must purchase the seed from Monsanto for every planting. Allowing Monsanto to develop a monopoly over so important a source of food is dangerous, because it enables them to have enormous power over the price and over who has access to the seed. Placing that kind of trust in a corporation who's primary motivation is profit, has historically proven to be unwise.

Thankfully that question, as regards GM wheat, has been put off for now. It is also encouraging to note that the public in general is becoming more aware of the dangers of genetic modification, but I think more has to be done to educate the public on the dangers of genetic monopoly.