Dear Editor,
Food companies should not be allowed to genetically engineer seeds. When seeds are genetically engineered versus being grown organically, they lose nutritional value. The patent rights associated with these seeds also give large companies, such as Monsanto and DuPont, rights to sue small, organic farmers when their seeds drift into the farmers’ field by way of wind or cross pollination. Using genetically engineered seeds also creates a larger chance of hunger and starvation in the world. Therefore, companies should not use genetically engineered (GE) seeds to grow produce because it affects the nutritional value of our food, gives them unfair rights over small, organic farmers, and increases chances for world hunger.
Companies who advocate and use the GE seeds say they are more ideal than organic seeds because they will help people live healthier lives. Studies by the Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine and the University of California contradict those companies’ statements for a healthier life because of GE seeds. The Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine found that organic seeds had higher average levels of twenty-one different nutrients compared to GE seeds. The University of California’s studies on organic and GE seeds showed that organic seeds contained more natural antioxidants, which have been linked to reducing the risk of cancer, stroke, heart attack, and other illnesses. Therefore, GE seeds do not help people live healthier lives. Instead they decrease the nutrients of the produce.
The second reason GE seeds should not be allowed to be used is because they give large companies, such as Monsanto and DuPont, rights to sue small, organic farmers. GE seeds created by Monsanto and DuPont are patented. When wind or cross-pollination causes these seeds to be carried and planted into an organic farmer’s field, Monsanto and DuPont can legally sue the farmer for growing their patented seeds without permission, possibly causing the farmer to lose his/her farm. Even though the farmer has committed no intentional wrongful act, they have no hope of persuading the giants of Monsanto, DuPont and others.
Lastly, the use of GE seeds increases the risk of hunger and starvation. Biotech industries claim that GE seeds are needed to feed the ever-growing population of the world, but studies by the United Nations prove otherwise. A group of scientists from the UN stated that using the GE seeds would undermine nations’ capacities to feed themselves by destroying established diversities, local knowledge of agriculture, and sustainable agricultural systems. Therefore, using the GE seeds create a greater chance of hunger in the world.
In conclusion, GE seeds should not be used to grow the world’s produce. It drains the food of its nutritional value, gives large companies unfair rights over small farmers, and increases the chance for hunger around the world.
Sincerely,
Summer Jefferson
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