It was very enlightening to learn the historical trends that
have influenced the current American food system. As someone that is very
conscious of the quality of the food I consume, I was perturbed when I read the
following on genetically modified foods:
“Courts have ruled that gene transfer in effect creates a
new organism despite the fact that the FDA has ruled that the “new organism” is
“substantially equivalent” to the old one (Blatt, 2008)."
This is obviously not true when a couple of paragraphs prior,
it states that recent research has shown that “Monsanto’s Roundup can kill
human cells at very weak doses, disrupts the human endocrine system, and disrupts
sex hormones at nontoxic levels” (Blatt, 2008).
It’s not currently known the long-term effects of the genetically
modified organisms, but it can’t be good. If it is currently killing human
cells and disrupting the human endocrine system at weak levels, as our
consumption grow the effects will become more prevalent. This makes me worry
about the low-income communities that have limited resources thus at times
choices are made not based on what is most nutritious, but what is most
economic. I’m glad that resources have been put in place that will provide
women on WIC vouchers to use at farmers markets. I’m also glad to know that the
food justice advocates continue to press for change in policies, like the Farm
Bill. However, my question is always can we do more within our communities? How
else can we have a larger impact on our local food sources? I remember hearing in passing that the Leroy
Collins Leon County Public Library was giving out free seeds to residents that
wanted them. I wonder how many people in Tallahassee knew this was available? We
are seeing a change in the food options provided by restaurants/fast food businesses
based on the demand by consumers to have better quality food options. However,
limited options are still available for those that cannot afford to dine at these
establishments.
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