A Genetically Engineered Future

Are we approaching a future where “organic” as we know it will no longer exist?  Is it also possible that the world food supply could be controlled by one company? We seem to be heading that way as the use of Monsanto’s genetically engineered (GE) seed grows in popularity. These crops are already in our food supply and being fed to livestock.

I read a lot of articles and looked at many resources looking for information to complete my last Blog post, and a name that I am very familiar with kept popping up, Monsanto. Perhaps it is just because "someone has to do it", but Monsanto has been connected to many dangerous products in its long history. Things like saccharin, DDT, Agent Orange, PCB's and nuclear weapons. Monsanto on Wikipedia   

As I said, I am very familiar with the name Monsanto. I spent twenty three years in the dairy industry in retail distribution, with time spent in my early years driving a farm tanker on weekends picking up bulk milk, and I became very familiar with the battles over rBGH.  

If you explore the internet for Monsanto related articles, you can find a lot of disturbing information on contamination, poisoning, intimidation, law suits, ect. Of course "the truth" is in the eye of the beholder or in this case, the eyes of the writers. I try to keep an open mind when it comes to what I read, based on what I know about business and the world. What I am somewhat familiar with are the lawsuits over promotion of milk that was not produced with Monsanto's rBGH, because of implications through marketing that milk produced by cows treated with rBGH was inferior or unsafe. Monsanto was very aggressive in its fight against the Dairy industry over labeling and marketing that had the potential for cutting into their profits. It appears that the farming industry has faced Monsanto's wrath for even longer, according to many articles like this one from 2008, Monsanto's Harvest of Fear, which continues to be referenced by many because the author provided so much information that if true, is cause for concern on many levels.

As you explore the internet, you can find a lot of articles referencing a fear that has continued in the farming industry.  You can also read about how farmers desperate to make a profit to feed their families, have been turning to GE seed and those who don't, find themselves dotting i's and crossing t's to protect themselves from the "seed police".  

On one side, you can understand Monsanto's interest in protecting its company from theft through unlicensed use of GE seeds and unfortunately, some "bad seeds" have given them good reason to have concern. I can also see the need to solve the worlds potential food shortage, as the worlds population continues to grow at an alarming rate.  But I also see this as a potentially bigger problem that began the day when the first GE seeds were approved for use. That is because of the lack of or limited studies used to gain approval.  


For us who lack the understanding of these complicated technologies, we must rely on published studies and our government to protect us. But, what happens when those published studies contradict the safety of those technologies and our government continues to make questionable decisions and create questionable policies? Almost as if they are being manipulated by big corporations. If you believe the articles written about the latest Monsanto triumph in deregulation of RR Alfalfa, you have to wonder about the future of our ecosystem, plant life as we know it,  animal health, the effects of GMO’s on humans and... Are we approaching a future where “organic” or “natural” as we know it, will no longer exist? 

One company that is still holding on to its over 50 year commitment to produce products from “natural” ingredients, is Shaklee.  To insure that commitment, Shaklee conducts over 80,000 quality tests annually to guarantee purity and safety. For my family, and especially my little girl who has Prader-Willi Syndrome, Shaklee products give me hope for the future.

Terry Guinn, A Healthier You Too

Treat your family to the quality products they deserve. Shaklee products are always safe, always work, and are always green. If you would like more information about Shaklee products, please contact me, Terry Guinn, Shaklee Independent Distributor, through my website at  www.ahealthieryoutoo.com or if you would like to checkout the products for yourself, go to my Shaklee page at  www.ahealthieryoutoo.myshaklee.com 

Shakleebaby & Shakleekids