Fw: NOTMILK - - A CAPTION is worth 1000 PICTURES

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" notmilk2002 " <notmilk

<notmilk >

Sunday, March 31, 2002 4:48 AM

NOTMILK - - A CAPTION is worth 1000 PICTURES

 

 

> We've all heard the expression,

> " A picture is worth 1000 words. "

>

> In todays column, I offer you an example

> of misinformation and distortion that

> betrays consumers and reward those who

> create unsafe foods.

>

> Newspaper editors often influence

> readers and mold public opinion by

> penning creative captions and headlines

> that have little to do with the accompanying

> story, and in doing so, act to editorialize

> their own personal agendas.

>

> On Friday, I flew from Los Angeles to New

> York, and read that day's (3/29/02) Los

> Angeles Times. The business section contained

> an article about genetically engineered foods.

>

> My first book, Milk-Th3e Deadly Poison, detailed

> the lies and deceit of Monsanto and the Food and Drug

> Administration (FDA) during the approval process

> for the recombinant bovine growth hormone. That

> hormone has altered America's food supply, and

> is dangerous. Today's milk, cheese, and ice cream

> is significantly different than it was pre-1994,

> because the levels of naturally occurring hormones

> in milk and dairy products have increased, significantly.

>

> As a result of what I learned about America's

> compromised and flawed regulatory process, I no

> longer trust the " system, " preferring to avoid

> consuming all genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

> For the record, I have seen no evidence of adverse

> effects for humans resulting from eating GMO

> corn or soybeans, but I stand on the side of caution,

> because I have learned through disappointing

> experience not to trust those who have previously

> betrayed consumers.

>

> The L.A. Times story revealed that America farms will

> be planting record amounts of GMO seeds this spring.

>

> In 2001, 68% of America's soybeans were grown from

> genetically modified beans. This year, 74% of the soy

> crop will be genetically engineered. That represents 54

> million acres. Corn growers will harvest 25 million

> GMO acres, representing one-third of America's corn

> crop.

>

> The photograph accompanying the L.A. Times article

> contains a caption that reads:

>

> " Some bioengineered crops, such as corn

> and cotton, are considered better for

> the environment because they reduce the

> use of insecticides, making them easier

> and cheaper to grow. "

>

> Wouldn't that be nice if it was true?

> Unfortunately, just the opposite occurs.

> Farmers use greater amounts of pesticides

> on GMO plants.

>

> Monsanto is the manufacturer of the seeds.

> Monsanto is also the manufacturer of the

> pesticide, called Roundup. The soybeans have been

> called " Roundup-ready " which means that they

> are " ready " to withstand the poisonous pesticide.

> Monsanto's chemical destroys all insect life and

> other plant life daring to occupy the same space

> as their GMO soy plant.

>

> Farmers spray their crops with multiple exposures

> of pesticdides knowing all-too-well that this

> crop-management technique saves them labor. They

> no longer have to weed the fields. Their profits are

> enhanced desite multiple applications of pesticides

> because Roundup ready means only the soy plant

> with an inserted gene will grow.

>

> The headline writer was wrong.

> The newspaper lies to its readers and happily

> receives revenue from full-page biotechnology

> ads that fail to deliver on false promises.

>

> Robert Cohen

> http://www.notmilk.com

>

>

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