Gardeners like to see natural forces at work. They like working the soil, adding good things to it, and watching green shoots pop up. Many practice organic gardening methods, producing good food untainted with pesticides or herbicides. They hope to cope with harmful insects and plant diseases without harming beneficial insects and soil organisms. These organic gardeners will be happy to know they can buy non GMO seeds online.
It seems that genetic-modification is everywhere these days. This technology has not been proved safe by research, because it's relatively new to the marketplace. Rather, the planet is a giant laboratory. Signs like declining butterflies and bees are not widely publicized. Many choose to avoid foods that contain added genes or altered DNA, the molecule that governs reproduction and growth. All genetically-modified organisms cannot reproduce and are actually the polar opposite of 'natural'.
The goal is stated as increasing crop yields to feed a growing world population. However, many see a money motive behind the push for GMOs. Take modified soybeans, for instance. They can grow with a formerly lethal application of Roundup. The company that produces the seed makes money, and the herbicide manufacturer sells more of its product. The cost to the environment and the consumer is unknown.
The proponents of a 'green' policy are remarkably silent on this topic. It makes many wonder how much money they receive from the producers of pesticides, the very thing that started the movement in the first place. People came to realize that random spraying for mosquitoes and drenching fields with chemicals was poisoning the air, water, and soil. Birds and fish were dying, frogs were mutating, and people near manufacturing plants were getting sick.
America is one of the few places that has embraced GMO technology. The European Common Market has banned it, as well as the use of systemic pesticides which become part of the plant they are applied to. Although the research is not 'definitive' as yet, Europe has seen a return of healthy bee populations. A word to the wise: check what you spray on your roses if you want butterflies in your garden.
Concerned consumers should support the small operations that sell heirloom or organic seed that is not altered. Since GMOs are patented products, most catalog-sale companies don't market modified seed either. However, unless there is an organic label or heirloom guarantee, consumers must ask before assuming anything. Ask customer service before buying.
Another reason to use natural seed is that you may want to save seed from this year's crop for next year's planting. GMO seed does not reproduce; in other words, any saved seed will be worthless. This, of course, gives great control over the food supply to those who sell altered seed. It also means that you won't have any of those neat little volunteer plants that many gardeners love.
Remember that organic seed will not be modified. Neither will heirloom varieties. Otherwise it's buyer beware if you want to avoid modified seed or plants. Make sure to ask before you buy seed for your own home garden.
It seems that genetic-modification is everywhere these days. This technology has not been proved safe by research, because it's relatively new to the marketplace. Rather, the planet is a giant laboratory. Signs like declining butterflies and bees are not widely publicized. Many choose to avoid foods that contain added genes or altered DNA, the molecule that governs reproduction and growth. All genetically-modified organisms cannot reproduce and are actually the polar opposite of 'natural'.
The goal is stated as increasing crop yields to feed a growing world population. However, many see a money motive behind the push for GMOs. Take modified soybeans, for instance. They can grow with a formerly lethal application of Roundup. The company that produces the seed makes money, and the herbicide manufacturer sells more of its product. The cost to the environment and the consumer is unknown.
The proponents of a 'green' policy are remarkably silent on this topic. It makes many wonder how much money they receive from the producers of pesticides, the very thing that started the movement in the first place. People came to realize that random spraying for mosquitoes and drenching fields with chemicals was poisoning the air, water, and soil. Birds and fish were dying, frogs were mutating, and people near manufacturing plants were getting sick.
America is one of the few places that has embraced GMO technology. The European Common Market has banned it, as well as the use of systemic pesticides which become part of the plant they are applied to. Although the research is not 'definitive' as yet, Europe has seen a return of healthy bee populations. A word to the wise: check what you spray on your roses if you want butterflies in your garden.
Concerned consumers should support the small operations that sell heirloom or organic seed that is not altered. Since GMOs are patented products, most catalog-sale companies don't market modified seed either. However, unless there is an organic label or heirloom guarantee, consumers must ask before assuming anything. Ask customer service before buying.
Another reason to use natural seed is that you may want to save seed from this year's crop for next year's planting. GMO seed does not reproduce; in other words, any saved seed will be worthless. This, of course, gives great control over the food supply to those who sell altered seed. It also means that you won't have any of those neat little volunteer plants that many gardeners love.
Remember that organic seed will not be modified. Neither will heirloom varieties. Otherwise it's buyer beware if you want to avoid modified seed or plants. Make sure to ask before you buy seed for your own home garden.
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