Labeling GMOs

Labeling genetically modified organisms: "GMO"
　

"No one should control nature. No one should control life. No one should have the right to put patents on nature and life"--Percy Schmeiser-Canadian farmer-turned-activist.

There is growing awareness, amongst islanders, of the invasion of genetically modified (GM) crops into Hawaii's farm lands. With ongoing support from our State Government, Hawaii has become the GMO-seed capital of the world. The U.H. College of Agriculture reports about 3,000 acres of GM crops across Pele's archipelago. Though other sources say it's closer to 30,000 acres.

The disparity between GMO and organic foods has caused a bitter rift amidst our local farmers.
"There's a big problem in the Ag community right now," says Molokai activist Walter Ritte. It's 'Ag Day' at the State Capitol. There is a nervous tension in the air. "...There's a rotten apple in their barrel." The 'apple' Ritte is citing is the bio-tech industry.

Ritte's "rotten apple" metaphor may be more-than-appropriate, considering genetic mutations, created in Petri-dishes, can migrate to natural organisms, with unpredictable consequences. It would be a sad disaster, for instance, if Kuhuku sweet corn--cultivated to perfection, the old-fashion way, and perhaps the most delicious corn in the world--were contaminated by GM corn grown in Kunia.

If you ask me, that Kunia corn is about as appetizing as the cardboard bins it comes in. To form your own opinion, look for it in your local Times or Foodland. It will probably be labeled "Local grown."...not "GMO."

Genetic engineering seemed like a good thing for local agriculture in the beginning. It rescued Hawaii's papaya industry from the Ring Spot virus, in the late 90s; begetting the now-popular Rainbow papaya--a GMO.

Though, sometimes, even good things, in the wrong hands, become bad things. I'm referring to the bio-tech giant, Monsanto--notorious, world wide, for their endless cash and lack of scruples; unconscionable poisoning of the Earth, relentless determination to rule the world's food supply; extortion of independent farmers; and blatant disregard for the sanctity of nature and all forms of life--from bees to trees to human beings. These are not favorable qualities, by Hawaii standards. In the words of anti-GMO activist and slack-key artist, Makana: "That is not pono."

Monsanto, also the manufacturer of plant killers--Roundup and Agent Orange--stealthed into our abandoned cane and pineapple fields, about 1992. Under the guise of "sustainable agriculture", they discretely conducted open-field experiments of their test-tube organisms, fully aware of the risks to organic and conventional crops; and to the natural environment. (And to the economy.)

Today--20 years later--there is growing sentiment, among islanders, to oust Monsanto from the islands, and ban GMOs altogether, as several nations have done already.

Americans have pressed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for mandatory labeling of GM foods, to let the market decide their fate. Though we should not expect action any time soon from a government whose warm relations with Monsanto dates (at least) as far back as Agent Orange.

In the meantime, there is nothing preventing food producers from labeling "No GMOs" on products that don't contain them; in the same way organic foods are labeled, "organic." We'll just buy those and avoid all the others.

In fact, there is a  new product out--Dave's Killer Bread--in some of our local markets, that has set the ball rolling. On the shelves, under its loaves, in bright-red and white, it reads "GMO FREE". While on the package, Dave adds another subtle warning: "Just say "no" to bread on drugs."