The classic image of a GMO food is that of the tomato with fish genes, which is assumed create a nice firm more tomato like texture. In my experience it is difficult to find a person who is not somewhat horrified by this thought. GMO is the Frankenstein of food, which begs the question, if we can should we? Yet, GMO foods are found in every grocery store, unlabeled, and unquestioned by most Americans. So, the question I find myself asking is, if the idea of GMO foods horrifies most people, why do we look the other way and consume?
Frankly, I see GMO foods as a test of what Americans blindly value more. We may say we want healthy and natural food. We may say we don't want to be lab rats of corporations like Monsanto, but the truth lies in our primary value - money.
GMO is a capitalistic prize. It allows technology and human genius to master food for maximum profit. GMO is ment to not feed humans but instead feeds the system we are all indoctrinated within. For those who feel that they are not participants, I ask do you have a 401 (k) invested in the market, do you know where your money is going? Do you go shopping? Buy gas? Watch advertisements? Really, it is a system that is inescapable unless you radically step-off the grid (which I am not sure is possible anymore). Frankly, GMO is nothing but a tangible reflection of a value system of which we all have participated.
Like all value systems, ours too can be changed. But, change is slow and hard. Our values of consumption, maximized profit, continuous growth, material abundance will change - if not by our own admission then by that of a depleted earth. It is true that small choices like purchasing local organic food do matter, but I believe that real ethical change starts from a much more central place --internal value.
No comments:
Post a Comment