Not many years ago the idea of engineering the genes of food to produce plants that were resistant to pesticides and that didn't go bad as quickly was work of science fiction. Today companies spend millions to develop "super seeds". Monsanto is the largest seller of soy seeds on the planet. They were able to achieve this level of success because they designed, engineered and patented a soy plant that is resistant to pesticides. This was a huge accomplishment and something for our entire species to be proud of, the problem is that it's not about the seed anymore, it's about wealth and power. Monsanto controls the growers by forcing them to use their seeds and preventing them from trying to reuse seeds. It's a total monopoly that's basically overlooked by both the citizens and the FDA. The industries of corn, chicken and beef are all in similar situations. They are artificially inflated with subsidies and they produce food that is terrible nutritionally. The problem is, these industries provide our country with the food that we need to live. So the question is, how do we improve this. How can we make better food at reasonable prices?
Well I think we will find that we are on that track already (sort of), what we need is regulation and competition. And by competition I mean real competition from legitimate business that has the ability to instigate change
In the future I imagine that most foods will come from plants and animals that have been genetically engineered. It will be sustainable food that can be grown and raised in a variety of climates with a variety of diets. Some fear the idea that their food was conceived in a test tube, I say I love the idea. It means clean food that we can tailor to our bodies. The has been a lot of talk recently because a company named AquaBounty Technologies is close to getting FDA approval on their genetically engineered salmon ("AquaBounty is developing advanced-hybrid salmon, trout, and tilapia designed to grow faster than traditional fish"). If the FDA approves this, it will mark the first time that a genetically engineered animal is being sold for food. Some day I think we might even move away from raising animals and just grow the meat only. That's when things really become easy, instead of needing all the energy to grow a full cow or fish (bones, organs, skin, limbs (fins), and meat) we can just grow a steak or fillet (meat). I don't know who wouldn't want that, it's efficiency is immediately apparent. Not to mention the meat would be of incredible quality.
So the real question is, who is going to step up and start competing with Monsanto, Tyson, National Beef and the corn industry? Who is going to challenge the status quo? Who is going to help make McDonalds change their ways and influence a global shift in awareness about what we use to fuel our thoughts?
We all are! The only way to change things is with support of lots of people. I challenge you to go out and educate that way, when the time comes for a group of people to make a change in the industry we will have the backing that is needed.
So share the wealth and spread the knowledge. Remember that light shines in the darkness. We are all in this together after all... :)
Geoff, wow! I caught myself smiling while I read this. It definitely reminds me of our conversation.
ReplyDeleteMonsanto is a scary and evil company in my mind. I have a part of my heart for the true farmers. I get a joy of meeting and talking to the farmers at my local farmers market, I enjoy letting them teach me about their products, their plants. The true farmer isn’t trying to do anything but grow the best plants, it is their business, they believe in it and they work hard at it. They aren’t trying to brainwash you, control you, or trick you. Farmers don’t have the time to master all the rest of that stuff; they work long and hard to grow great produce. I think being able to grow your own food is an art, and sadly it is becoming a lost art.
However, meat and “raising” animals for meat is a different story. You know how I feel about the meat industry in the US. It is disgusting, shameful, and horrific. For everyone reading out there, go see Food Inc., go. It is an eye-opening documentary. If we could “grow” meat I agree with you, it would be quite a scientific breakthrough. Making and using just what we need, eliminating the use of pesticides, chemicals, or antibiotics. The animals would live a life. They wouldn’t be crammed into small cages, fed food they don’t regularly eat; food that their bodies are not designed to digest. They wouldn’t need to be pumped with hormones and antibiotics. It would result in healthy meat and healthy humans. It would also result in a cleaner earth. The booming meat industry is the largest contributor to green house gas and pollution.
I don’t think it would happen over night. But the ideas are there, and I fully agree with what you say that the end of this post, Geoff.
“The only way to change things is with support of lots of people. I challenge you to go out and educate that way, when the time comes for a group of people to make a change in the industry we will have the backing that is needed. So share the wealth and spread the knowledge. Remember that light shines in the darkness. We are all in this together after all.”
I’m so glad you wrote about this subject, I hope that your other followers take this idea and spread it. Conversation is a tool we all have to change the future; however, I fear that most of out generation spends their time doing other things with their time than challenging each other and spreading ideas. Don’t sit back and complain.
Talk. Challenge. Share. Question. Research. Learn. Change the world. We have the power.
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