If there is one thing I have learned as a plant breeder, it may just be that the more diverse traits you have available to your breeding program, the more you excel. Today more than ever, we are seeing a pallet of traits that can make any science nerd froth at the mouth.
This is extremely important to think about when we look at Round-Up Ready (RR) technology and Genetically Engineered (GE) crops. With the advancement of research and the undying quest to improve, Monsanto has opened our world to something that quite possibly could make, or break, agriculture.
These new sets of traits are harmless to human consumption, yet the straight fear of some alien product sweeps over the face of concerned consumers across the globe. With the unveiling of the RR Sugar Beets in 2005, the doors for science were blown open to positive alternatives. There have been great advances in this field, yet some set backs. If any reader can remember the scare of the fish gene in corn that was only approved for animal consumption, they remember the adverse affects of not keeping track of the crop and ending up in Taco Bell taco shells. It did not paint a positive picture for GE technology and painted a once positive advancement as evil.
The aftermath of the Taco Bell incident and the GE tomato that had unforeseen allergies in a few consumers directed the recent history of the engineering of new crop technologies. If my memory serves me right, it also changed the background of food labeling.
Today we have a choice presented before us. Round-Up Ready technology has been researched and the facts are there. We have not seen prominent diverse affects of RR Corn and Soybeans, at least as far as my research has shown. With this in mind, I direct you to the USDA’s proposed rule change to allow RR Sugar Beets to be opened back up for market/production in the United States. What is there to loose?
Eric McGilp, a Latah County, Idaho resident and Political Activist, says in his comment to the AgriAction post, that his first worry is changing DNA. He also is worried about the mislabeling of these crops and their impact on the world’s food supply. I tend to agree that these are valid points and hope that the proper officials have evaluated this.
There are certain reasons that the Palouse has not yet grown GE crops, labeling and fear being the main drivers. The company I work for full-time has a NO-GMO policy, stating that a cross contamination will kill our ability to market product. Yet, with recent drive to label both animal and plant products, this is covered if managers carried out a solid plan. An argument of labeling is not a technology issue, it’s a management issue.
I will be advocating for the choice that will be allowed to producers in this. I feel very strong for free-market principles if the situation is possible, and GE crops fit this bill. The EPA, USDA, and Monsanto have exercised every avenue in this new crop and there hasn’t been any sort of evidence that this specific crop, RR Sugar Beets, present an eminent threat to the ag industry. What are the benefits? Cleaner fields, more efficient management, and better information for the agronomy division of the farms that adopt this crop, which in turn will help farmers make better management decisions and apply less chemical to their fields.
Approving the production of GE crops that have been researched is a win-win for this country. We are facing a steep incline in population and this, among other technological advances, will allow for our producers to accomplish this task.
I encourage you all to check out the instructions on how to comment on the proposal. The more voices the USDA and the EPA hears, the better. I will be casting my vote to allow RR Sugar Beets into the market, I ask you to join me.
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