I used to buy bags of various animal feed as a special winter treat for my pet rabbits instead of buying little bags of fancy rabbit food. I would supplement fifty pound bags of rabbit feed with oats, wheat, corn, sunflower seeds or some other bird seed. Several years ago I bought a fifty pound bag of corn (horse feed) at the farm supply store, but the rabbits would not eat it. Different rabbits have different taste preferences, so I did not think much of it. I quit giving it to them, but kept the bag in the garage.
That winter we had a massive mouse infestation in the garage. I smelled it, it was horrible. I thought a cat had gotten into the garage and marked its territory because if there were mice, they would have been in the corn. Come spring I discovered mice, so bad that as I threw things off the shelves or into the trash, they scattered. Still the corn was untouched. No droppings. No partially eaten kernels. No holes chewed in the bag. Not a single sign of mice. Odd, but I did not think much about it and in the garage it stayed.
Eventually we decided it was time for the corn to go. It got dumped behind the garage for chipmunks and squirrels to carry away, and there it stayed. Not only did they not eat it, it did not sprout! After a few weeks it was scooped up and thrown away.
What was wrong with the corn? I eventually found the answer. GMO (genetically modified organism). To prevent seed saving and create dependence upon the seed company, some seed will not sprout (the patent is strictly enforced on any that does). It is not seed, it is not feed. It is foreign to our bodies. Animals will not eat it unless they have no other choice. In GMO studies, animals develop tumors, become infertile and suffer other disturbing results. Why do Monsanto and other companies fight GMO labeling? Because given the choice, educated people would not eat it either. It is not about saving the consumer money, it is about their profit. How much is too much to pay for the food we eat? I say our health. Many countries have banned GMOs. The U.S. grows non-GMO food for export. Why do we as American consumers not have the same right?
Herbicide resistant plants are cross pollinating with others, polluting other crops and creating super weeds. Insect resistant plants are killing beneficial insects including bees and creating super insects. What is it doing to the environment? What is it doing to us? I have only touched the tip of the iceberg to whet your appetite for knowledge. If you are not familiar with GMO or GE (genetic engineering), now is the time to educate yourself.
A clip from Doctored explaining the difference between GMO farming and produce grown in beautiful, organic soil (specifically starts at 2:08).
I know! It's outrageous really! And oh so scary. I hate to think of the health problems Americans will face in the future because of it! :(
ReplyDeleteHave you seen Food Inc.? We've watched so many food documentaries that's it's hard not to feel guilty every time I buy or eat something.
No, I haven't seen Food Inc, but have seen parts of Forks Over Knives and The Beautiful Truth at my chiropractor's, as well as Doctored. It's overwhelming, but sites like https://www.facebook.com/100daysofrealfood (http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/) help inspire.
ReplyDeleteDid you watch the first video clip? I would love to have a field of beautiful soil like that!