Genetically Modified Foods “Biggest Environmental Disaster of All Time”: Prince Charles
by Matthew McDermott, Brooklyn, NY on 08.13.08
Agree or disagree with him, there’s no misunderstanding where Prince Charles thinks about, well, whatever he chooses to speak out on. In a recent interview with with the Telegraph, the Prince condemned the rush to embrace genetically modified foods as a solution to feed an ever increasing world population.
Turning Back the Clock? No, Says Prince
Though not in the linked clip above, the Prince responded to a question about whether he was trying to ‘turn back the clock’ regarding agriculture. He responded:
I think not. I’m terribly sorry. It’s not going backwards. It is actually recognizing that we are with nature, not against it. We have gone working against nature for too long.
‘Green Revolution’ Worked, For a While
Speaking on environmental damage caused by the 20th century’s rush towards industrial agriculture,
Look at India’s Green Revolution. It worked for a short time but now the price is being paid.I have been to the Punjab where you have seen the disasters that have taken place as result of the over demand on irrigation because of the hybrid seeds and grains that have been produced which demand huge amounts of water.
The water table has disappeared. They have huge problems with water level, with pesticide problems, and complications which are now coming home to roost.
Sustainable Agriculture the Way Forward
In the comments to the original article there are plenty of knee-jerk comments against Prince Charles, and I’m sure this post will elicit some too.
However consider this: A recent UN report recommends that industrial agriculture is not really the best way to try to feed the planet and prevent global warming. Citing increasing natural resource degradation, decrease crop diversity, and degradation of ecosystem function, the report said that, “sustainable agricultural practices are part of the the solution to current environmental change”.
GM Crops Benefit Monsanto More Than Farmers, Consumers
Furthermore, according to research done by Friends of the Earth , between 1996-2006 genetically modified crops have done little to tackle hunger and poverty, had little benefit to consumers, and has increased herbicide and pesticide use. The only real benefit has been in increasing the market presence and bottom line of biotech seed companies, with Monsanto being the biggest culprit.
I’m right there with Prince Charles when he says that relying on “gigantic corporations” for food is a recipe for “absolute disaster.” As with energy, we need a more diverse, localized, truly sustainable and (hopefully) community-based agricultural system if we are to halt and (hopefully) reverse the damage which industrial agriculture has caused to ecosystems.
via :: The Telegraph
Sustainable Agriculture
The World Needs a Farming Revolution! Declares U.N. Report
Can Sustainable Agriculture Prevent Suicide?
Eating Local Food: The Movement, Locavores and More
Genetically Modified Food
Do You Know What You Eat? Greenpeace’s Ads Against Genetically Modified Organisms
Food Shortage Pulls Genetically Modified Grains Into Formerly Closed Markets
Tanzanian NGO Boos GMOs on World Food Day
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I certainly wouldn't say 'biggest environmental disaster of all time,' but GM crops certainly seem like a win for Monsanto and a lose for just about everyone else.
And when it comes to multi-national corporations and their sociopathic behavior, there is no better example than Monsanto and their GM crops that produce no seeds so farmers have to buy overpriced seeds every year.
The biggest environmental disaster is letting giant corporations' bottom lines dictate our lives.
I'm all for scientific endeavor, but it seems GM will undermine the stability of the entire ecosystem we ultimately rely on.
Despite all of their promises, there are too many issues to overcome for GM foods ... see this article for a good example of them.
Thankyou Charlie m'boy! Totally in agreement with you on this one...
I just know that there is a lot of misunderstanding and misinformation out there on this topic.
stradric's "GM crops that produce no seeds so farmers have to buy overpriced seeds every year" is a great example. This "terminator" technology is not on the market, and never will be, but it keeps coming up in discussions like this.
So many greens just don't get that GM technology is not the enemy. GM technology allows for wide spread, economical (e.g. practical) practices that are much closer to organic than otherwise possible. Technology like GM Bt eliminates megatons of potentially carcinogenic pesticides from ever being applied.
is he being serious?
india was faced with a famine of unprecedented proportions when the Green Revolution showed up.
is he really arguing that the current decline in the water table (which is reversable) is worse than the prospect of tens of millions of people in northern india starving?
GM crops are superior. they are pest resistant, can be made to be more water efficient, and grow in climates that were previously off limits.
he still sounds very patronising in audio!
BRILLIANT!!!! I completely agree with Prince Charles!! GMO's are a recipe for disaster. As a vegan, I find it appalling that they are taking hormones from animals and even humans and injecting them into vegetables to speed up the growth process! And what is even more disturbing is that our grocery stores are already filled with GMO's. TWO-THIRDS of the food in your grocery store is GENETICALLY MODIFIED!!!! AND ITS NOT EVEN LABLED!!!! We are consuming this frankenfood and the FDA doesn't even know its effect yet!!! UNBELIVABLE!! If you would like to get more info, please visit www.thecampaign.org and sign up- its completely free. There is this amazing packet you can read, once you're a member. It will completely blow your mind and open your eyes to this corporate frankefood bigotry.
Way to go, Bonnie Prince Charlie. Your taste in women may be lacking, but I admire you as a champion of the environment.
I completely, wholeheartedly and utterly agree with what HRH has said!
Brilliant!!! I completely agree with Prince Charles! GMO’s are a recipe for disaster! As a vegan, I find it appalling that they are injecting vegetables with hormones of animals and even humans to speed up the growth process. What is even more disturbing is that our grocery stores are already filled with GMO’s and have been for years. TWO-THIRDS OF YOUR GROCERY STORE IS FILLED WITH GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS!!!! And they are not even labeled!!! We are consuming these frankenfoods and the FDA doesn’t even know its effects yet…UNBELIVABLE!! If you would like to learn more about GMO’s and learn how to voice your concern. Please visit www.thecampaign.org . You can sign up- completely free…once you are a member there is this amazing packet full of info on GMO’s. Mega corporations may be to large to tackle to completely get rid of GMO’s but at least we can fight for our right to have frankenfoods labeled…so we can CHOOSE whether or not to consume them!
What will we do when Monsanto controls ALL the seed production in the world?? Think about that !!!
I heartily agree with Prince Charles..
I fear that Prince Chales is right on this very GM issue - he said it all and very well too. Thank you for that.
my apologies.... I didn't think that my comment went through the first time so I posted another one. I was very eager to get my thoughts out there and to voice my opinion on a subject I feel very passionate about:) Thank you!
veggirl "As a vegan, I find it appalling that they are taking hormones from animals and even humans and injecting them into vegetables to speed up the growth process!"
Please stop the misinformation. This is utterly ridiculous. Animal hormones would have absolutely no effect on plants. It would be a pointless effort, and is clearly a blatant untruth from a fear campaign.
Just as people should be educated on facts to vote, they should have some rudimentary biological education before entering a debate. Your spreading gibberish, and undoubtedly someone will believe you.
Drivinghybrids-
In a controversy the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves.
Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.
-The wise, Buddha
veggirl-
Wonderful. Since you are so highly enlightened, you will not be offended when I and others who are educated on the topic "believe nothing" of your misinformation. Especially since it does not agree with common sense.
Your conjecture that it might be feasible to "inject" hormones from animals and humans into plants in agricultural production insults our intelligence and shows that you have no grasp on the reality of farming.
Beyond that, plants and humans are so biologically distinct at a molecular level that human signaling compounds (hormones) would have no beneficial effect on plant growth. Just plain common sense. End of story.
I'm not angry. I'm just sad that people spew their scared little thoughts without having enough information to even speak intelligently on the topic, and impressionable individuals believe them.