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GMO-Free World Is Achievable |
Jeffrey Smith during a Bioneers Conference in Alaska
I believe we will end genetic engineering of the food supply in two years ~ Jeffrey Smith
by Steve Gabriel
Jeffrey M. Smith is a leading spokesperson on the health dangers of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). An international bestselling author, his research and magnetic communication style captured public attention in 2003 with his first book, Seeds of Deception, which detailed the serious and questionable side effects of genetically engineered foods. In his second book, Genetic Roulette, Jeffrey exposes insider documents regarding GMO safety trials that have blown open the case against biotechnology. Jeffrey has consulted with world leaders from every conti- nent, helped to influence the first state laws regulating GMOs, and has unified leaders to support The Campaign for Healthier Eating in America, an industry and consumer movement to remove GMOs from the natural foods market- place. Positive News US caught up with Jeffrey recently during his trip to Thailand where he was meeting with government officials.
PN: How did you get involved with GMO issues?
JS: I learned about it just as it was being introduced into US agriculture and was shocked to discover they were about to feed the products of an infant science to millions of people and release it all into the environment. I decided what I could offer was clear communication to the public about the problems, which eventually snowballed into my career traveling to about 30 countries and writing two books.
PN: What sorts of people do you work with?
JS: Since my latest book came out in April, I have met with senior political leaders in about ten countries on five continents and my information has been warmly received by many. For example, the Polish government flew me over to give
PN: What is your approach to eliminating GMO's?
JS:Our primary strategy is to reach a tipping point of objection against GM foods which will force the entire food industry to remove the offending ingredients. I believe that this will happen within the next two years, and that the tipping point is less than 5% of the US population.
PN:What strategy has been most effective?
JS:What works is having enough information to convey the dangers. For example, at a recent American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine meeting, I asked about 250 medical doctors to rate themselves from 1-100 as to how vigilant you have been in the past week at avoiding bringing GM foods into your home. I asked for a show of hands for the range of 1 - 20, and most hands went up, showing they weren't paying much attention. After a 26 min. presentation, I asked how vigilant they would be next week, and all but one rated them- selves 80 - 100, demonstrating that they were willing to change life- long eating habits because of the substantial dangers.
PN: How have you seen the movement progress over recent years?
JS:The agreement by the major players in the natural foods industry to rally behind an organization called the Non-GMO Project as well as a third party certification to screen foods is a fantastic breakthrough. Already20 million Americans buy organic, and if they were also to avoid non GMO products in their conventional purchases we would achieve our tipping point. I also see the debate shifting more in the area of health concerns where activists feel more comfortable speaking about the dangers, in part due to my work giving valid scientific evidence everyone can understand and showing in detail how arguments from the other side are based on false assumptions and wishful thinking.
PN:Where do you see it heading in the future?
JS:I believe we will end genetic engineering of the food supply in two years. The whole basis which allows GMOs to survive is the general ignorance of the people. I believe that eliminating GMOs from the food supply is actually one of the easiest campaigns, it is simply a matter of expressing factual data about the health risks of GMO's to consumers and giving them alternative choices. I think the next step will then be to address GMO biofuels and other non-food crops.
PN:What is the one thing the public should know about GMOs?
JS: When the FDA scientists first reviewed GMOs in the early 90s, the overwhelming consensus was that these foods could create allergies, diseases, new toxins, and nutrition problems. The scientists urged their superiors to require long term studies. The person in charge of policy at the time was Monsanto's former attorney and later become Monsanto's Vice President. As a result, the FDA's policy falsely claimed that the agency was not aware of any information showing GMO's were significantly different and on that basis required absolutely no safety studies whatsoever. It is nowup to individuals to protect themselves because the [US] government is not going to do it for us.
PN:What do you find hopeful in the world today?
JS: I have traveled to many continents over the last few years and seen a huge number of groups rising up like the Earth's immune sys- tem to the inappropriate corporate control and abuse of the planet and our health. I see two worlds superimposed and I am thrilled with the power of the more than one million organizations worldwide who are working together more and more. I think we are far more powerful than we realize, in part because the corporate controlled press does not provide an opportunity for us to see our own strength. I am optimistic about the transformation that is taking place in the world, the organization around that transfor- mation, and the increase awareness as I go from country to country. I have seen real change, and I have seen real change makers, and I am looking forward to seeing a trans- formed world.
Contact: The Institute for Responsible Technology
www.responsibletechnology.org
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