Genetically Modified Foods Not the Solution for Sustainable Agriculture in Northern Ontario
November 17, 2014 - Northern Ontario has always been the source of a vast amount of natural resources. These resources are generally focused on mining and forestry. However, another less publicized resource is becoming a more important contributor to the well-being of the region: agriculture. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs state that there is considerable potential for agriculture in Northern Ontario[1]. However, the harsh Northern Ontario climate can be a barrier to agriculture in the region as it shortens the farming season and increases the occurrence of frost, which results in a low crop yield.
To overcome the challenges of climate, various approaches such as crop diversity and development of new crops are used. Such potential new crops are increasingly produced by genetic modification. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are often presented as a solution to increase crop yield[2]. Numerous studies suggest that GMOs are ‘safe for human consumption‘[3]. However, the research is often funded or conducted by GMO or agritech companies. As a result, agritech companies have veto power over the research such that only favourable studies are published in a peer-reviewed journal[4]. Meanwhile, scientists who merely question the safety of GMOs are subject to vicious attacks on their credibility to the point of misconduct[5]. In general, for a GMO crop to be approved only a 90-day animal study is required[6]. However, Séralini et al (2012), a study which was refuted for having an anti-GMO bias methodology only found harmful consequences after four months[7].
The majority of the world realizes the potential hazardous effects GMOs. The European Union permits few if any GMOs, India and China have yet to approve them and its use is declining in much of Latin America[8]. Much more telling is the response in Africa and Haiti. A collection of African delegates voiced their opinion against GMO’s, calling them “neither safe, environmentally friendly, nor economically beneficial to us”[9]. Despite prevalent malnutrition, Kenya completely banned the use of GMO crops. Meanwhile in Haiti, after 2010 earthquake, Haitians farmers rejected seeds from an agritech company which produces GMOs calling the donation an “attack on peasant agriculture, on the farmers, on biodiversity, native seeds, on what remains of our environment in Haiti”[10].
The concern over GMOs is increasing as consumers are more and more interested in what is in their food[11]. However, in Canada, the governments and other health agencies display a lack of concern towards GMOs and their potential hazards. Their current position is such that requires companies to prove that their product does not contain any chemicals or modification rather than requiring identification of the potential hazards of chemical use or genetic modification. Subsequently, Canada, unlike “most developed nations have no policies requiring the mandatory labeling of GMO foods”[12]. The reason being is that it is too difficult to regulate as too many foods would need to be labelled[13]. Therefore, the government has decided not to inform Canadian consumers about GMOs. According to Eat Right Ontario, Health Canada verifies that GMO foods are safe to eat, however, they continue on to state that Health Canada “does not plan to do research” on GMO foods[14].
Unlike the organic food sector in Canada which is “highly regulated”[15]. Organic foods are grown and harvested without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, genetic modifications, antibiotics or growth hormones[16]. Despite the lack of any potential health hazards from chemicals or genetic modification, for a product to be certified organic it “must meet rigorous standards and processes that are regularly inspected”[17]. Regardless of the strict monitoring, Eat Right Ontario does not endorse any advantage or health benefit of organic products over conventional (non-organic) foods but rather states that it is a matter of personal preference[18].
Traditional farming practices free of harmful chemicals and genetic modification should be applied to achieve sustainable farming in Northern Ontario. A study by the University of Guelph on evaluating the obstacles and opportunities for agricultural expansion in Northern Ontario provided several recommendations. Their recommendations do not include the use of GMO crops but rather inviting Mennonite and Amish families to the region[19].
[1] Hamilton, T. (2013) Northern Ontario Agriculture Facts and Figures in Brief. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/beef/news/info_vbn0713a4.htm, last reviewed July 9, 2013.
[2] David Suzuki Foundation. Understanding GMO. http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/queen-of-green/faqs/food/understanding-gmo/, viewed on September 29, 2014.
[3] Freedman, D.H. (2013) The Truth About Genetically Modified Food. Scientific American, http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-truth-about-genetically-modified-food/, Volume 309, Issue 3.
[4] Scientific American (2009) Do Seed Companies Control GM Crop Research? http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-seed-companies-control-gm-crop-research/?page=1.
[5] Freedman, D.H. (2013) The Truth About Genetically Modified Food. Scientific American, http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-truth-about-genetically-modified-food/, Volume 309, Issue 3.
[6] Peeples, L. (2012) GMO Debate Heats Up: Critics Say Biotech Industry Manipulating Genes, And Science. Huffington Post, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/21/gmo-proposition-37-study-funding-research_n_1904535.html, Last updated September 24, 2012.
[7] Peeples, L. (2012) GMO Debate Heats Up: Critics Say Biotech Industry Manipulating Genes, And Science. Huffington Post, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/21/gmo-proposition-37-study-funding-research_n_1904535.html, Last updated September 24, 2012.
[8] Freedman, D.H. (2013) The Truth About Genetically Modified Food. Scientific American, http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-truth-about-genetically-modified-food/, Volume 309, Issue 3.
[8] Scientific American (2009) Do Seed Companies Control GM Crop Research?
[9] Review of African Political Economy (1998) Let Nature’s Harvest Continue: African Counter-Statement to Monsanto. Vol 25, No 77 Sept., 1998, p.529.
[10] Seed Daily (2010) Haitian farmers Protest Monsanto Seed Donations http://www.seeddaily.com/reports/Haitian_farmers_protest_Monsanto_seed_donations_999.html, viewed on October 7 2014.
[11] Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA). (2014) The Value of Organic Foods. The Globe and Mail, http://www.theglobeandmail.com/partners/advorganics0914/the-value-of-organic-foods/article20641342/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=Referrer%3A+Social+Network+%2F+Media&utm_campaign=Shared+Web+Article+Links, published on September 19,2014.
[12] David Suzuki Foundation. Understanding GMO. http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/queen-of-green/faqs/food/understanding-gmo/, viewed on September 29, 2014.
[13] Eat Right Ontario (2014) Understanding Genetically Modified Foods. http://www.eatrightontario.ca/en/Articles/Food-technology/Biotechnology/Novel-foods/Understanding-Genetically-Modified-Foods.aspx#.VCmmwE10yUk
[14] Eat Right Ontario (2014) Understanding Genetically Modified Foods. http://www.eatrightontario.ca/en/Articles/Food-technology/Biotechnology/Novel-foods/Understanding-Genetically-Modified-Foods.aspx#.VCmmwE10yUk, viewed on September 29, 2014.
[15] Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA). (2014) The Value of Organic Foods. The Globe and Mail, http://www.theglobeandmail.com/partners/advorganics0914/the-value-of-organic-foods/article20641342/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=Referrer%3A+Social+Network+%2F+Media&utm_campaign=Shared+Web+Article+Links, published on September 19,2014.
[16] Eat Right Ontario (2014) Organic Foods and Growing Methods FAQ. http://www.eatrightontario.ca/en/Articles/Farming-Food-production/Organic-Foods-and-Growing-Methods-FAQ.aspx#.VD6DNU10yUk, viewed on October 7, 2014
[17] Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA). (2014) The Value of Organic Foods. The Globe and Mail, http://www.theglobeandmail.com/partners/advorganics0914/the-value-of-organic-foods/article20641342/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=Referrer%3A+Social+Network+%2F+Media&utm_campaign=Shared+Web+Article+Links, published on September 19,2014.
[18] Eat Right Ontario (2014) Organic Foods and Growing Methods FAQ. http://www.eatrightontario.ca/en/Articles/Farming-Food-production/Organic-Foods-and-Growing-Methods-FAQ.aspx#.VD6DNU10yUk, viewed on October 7, 2014.
[19] Caldwell, W., Marr, E. (2011) Strategic Directions for Agricultural Development in Northeastern Ontario. School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, University of Guelph.
Authored by Julien Bonin, researcher with Northern Policy Institute
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