Here are some articles and research papers concerning sprouting, organic agriculture, and the battle against geneticaly modified organisms (GMOs).
Raw almonds? California almond producers are adopting a rule that will require all almonds to be pasteurized by heat or a chemical. They may still be labled as raw. Sign this petition to ask for consumer choice.
Like your sprouts cold? Arctic adventure traveler Gary Rolfe fuels his training with our sprouts. See Gary Rolfe's website here.
Can organic farming feed the world? - by Christos Vasilikiotis, Ph.D. Check out this extensive review of the literature comparing conventional and organic farming systems.
Scientific American provides new information on Roundup Ready toxicity.
Going Organic Can Sheild Children From Pesticides- A study finds benefits of organic food are "immediate" and suggests that youths are exposed to the chemicals primarily through food, not the spraying of homes. See the LA Times article.
Over 60 farmers and farm organizations, including Mumm's Sprouting Seeds, have filed a lawsuit against Monstanto challenging the chemical giants GM patents. Learn more about the case at the Public Patent Foundation's website. The Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) has a great website where you can learn more about the case, or about ways to take strategic action against GMOs. The International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development also has a well-written article on the lawsuit- read Organic Farmers Take Monsanto to Court on the ICTSD website.
We are deeply troubled by the USDA's recent decision to completely deregulate the planting of genetically modified alfalfa in the US. The director of the Centre for Food Safety has said in a statement "USDA has become a rogue agency in its regulation of biotech crops and its decision to appease the few companies who seek to benefit from this technology—despite increasing evidence that GE alfalfa will threaten the rights of farmers and consumers, as well as damage the environment.". Learn more about the decision and its impact on organic farming in this Inc. magazine article, or in the American Free Press. You can also voice your opposition through the Organic Trade Association's website.
US Judge orders GM sugar beets destroyed. This is the first time in US history that a federal court judge has ruled a genetically modifed crop be destroyed. Judge White ruled that all future plantings of GM sugar beets be stopped until the US Department of Agriculture could conduct an environmental impact statement that proves the crop's safety.
According to a Scientific American article, GM canola plants have found a way to leave the farm and reproduce off site.
GM Corn Trickles Into Mexico Despite Fears. "My grandparents taught my family the process of saving seeds ... (The worry is) we will loose our native corn," Alejandro Nevarez, a Tarahumara agronomist in Chihuahuaha state where there have been some GM experiments. Read more in this Reuter's article.
Say no to GMOs- join the revolution! Visit healingtalks.com for more great info on Monsanto and GM technology.
Want to learn more about GMOs? Read this informative article on the health effects of GM foods, by Nathan Batalion, ND.
Download this shopping guide from Greenpeace to see which common foods and food brands are GMO-free.
Study indicates GM corn causes organ damage in rats- Article, Study.
Don't eat GM foods- Position paper from the American Academy of Environmental Medicine. Good survey of research into problems with GM food.
GM alfalfa-a new threat to organic food. Monsanto has been prevented from introducing GM alfalfa in the US, but now it has taken aim at Canada. This could spell the end of certified organic alfalfa seed for sprouting, and will make organic livestock and grain much more difficult to raise. Visit my GM Alfalfa page for more info.
Sept. 3, 08- A US federal court has upheld the GM alfalfa ban. See this article in the San Francisco Chronicle.
GOOD NEWS- California Judge makes injunction against Roundup Ready genetically modified alfalfa permanent. USDA and Monsanto will need to perform an environmental review, estimated to take 2 years, before the GM alfalfa can be planted further. Hopefully after proper review, the GM alfalfa will be prohibited. See this article in the SF Chronicle.
GOOD NEWS- A US judge has found that the USDA was "cavalier" in allowing the release of Monsanto's GM alfalfa without an environmental review. This may halt the growing and sale of GM alfalfa, and may have long term effects in slowing the introduction of GM crops. See this press release.
Interesting student paper published on the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada website. The Impact of Roundup Ready Alfalfa on Organic Systems (PDF file)
GM foods a health risk? See this well-researched article by Jefffery M. Smith. How corporations engineered the non-regulation of dangerous genetically modified foods.
An illegal variety of genetically modified rice has been found contaminating the US food supply. See this BBC news article on contaminated long grain rice.
A US congressman has introduced two bills, requiring mandatory labelling and safety testing of GM food. Go to The Centre for Food Safety website to encourage your congressman to support these bills.
GM crops fail to deliver benefits to Africa.Ten years after the first significant planting of GM crops there are no apparent benefits for consumers, farmers, or the environment. The African Centre for Bio-safety and friends of the Earth Nigeria said that despite the promises of the biotech corporations there had been no impact on hunger and poverty.
GM soy linked to sterility, infant mortality. Russian biologist Alexey V. Surov has found that GM soy, grown on 91% of US soybean fields, may lead to problems in growth and reproduction. Read more about the study here.
First US labelling law for GM food passes in Alaska-See information on the Center for Food Safety site.
Visit Greenpeace's "True Food Now" GMO information page. See what you can do to help fight the introduction of GM food.
Paper by my daughter with solid information on environmental dangers of GE crops. Lots of references and further reading
© Jim Mumm 2010- 2019