Genetically Engineered Food: Capitalism Making Nature Way Better Than Nature Ever Could Have

I just watched the documentary The Future of Food. Where to begin? For starters the US (unlike the EU) does not mandate that products containing genetically modified organisms be labeled. Nor do they mandate that extensive testing be done on GMOs because they fall under the FDAs umbrella of reasonably safe. This documentary covers several parts of the food production chain and some of the idiosyncrasies that exist therein. For example, after being allowed to patent the seeds they created, seed companies can now patent any natural seed that is not already patented. WTF? Or the fact that many Washington regulators high up in the EPA, FDA, or USDA hold or have held positions with one of the largest seed and GMO developers. A potential conflict of interest? The film touches on the fact that the biotech industry is marketing itself and GMOs as integral in solving the world's hunger crisis, when in fact there is overproduction and over subsidization of crops by the US government.
Imagine that a farmer isn't turning a profit on his Agriflak brand soy, sprayed with liquid weedwhacker from Dupont. It costs this farmer more to grow the soy than he will make by selling it. Agriflak and Dupont aren't worried though, they can rest assured that the government will be backing up their farmer to help pay his bills.
The biotech industry has independent research under its thumb as well. Not too many universities that are funded by large agricultural corporations would, in their right minds, let research be done whose findings would challenge or call into question that corporation's product.

Besides making me want to eat extremely local and organic now, it was just another sad reminder of the sell off of our political system to large corporations and wait for it... special interests. (such a buzzword in this election, along with golden parachutes, main street, maverick, and ACORN) It is also another example of how regulating bodies in our federal government are too large, too corrupt, and do a poor job of looking out for the best interests of Ameican citizens. Luckily there are independent watchdog groups keeping tabs on such things. (Independent groups, keeping an eye on public institutions, that are supposed to be looking out for us....?)

Last thing, a news story that broke more than a month ago

FDA Says No Label Needed for Genetically Modified Food

But the agency also says producers would not be required to label most genetically engineered meat, poultry, or seafood. The rules treat altered DNA inserted into livestock as drugs. Companies are not required to alert consumers when antibiotics, hormones, or other drugs are used in raising the animals.

"There is no special labeling requirement simply because the animal itself was engineered," Lutter says.

AHAHAHAHA! Thats insulting. The best part is that the public has until Nov 18th to comment. Good Luck.