Generally Moronic Objective

GMOs (Genetically modified organisms)… huh. Pollan’s chapter on his genetically modified potatoes only solidified my opinion on GMOs. This is artificial selection at its finest. If we were to look at this idea in a broad perspective, it may look productive and even beneficial to the human race. But as we focus in on what is actually being done it just does not seem right; a potato that produces its own pesticide, corn that can withstand drought and cotton that grows all sorts of colours. The immediate risks of these cannot be that bad for us as humans seeing as how they are deemed worthy to eat or use, however what about long term affects? I am currently reading a book titled “Wheat Belly” in which the author claims the wheat we eat now is not the same wheat that was eaten 50 years ago. It has been so genetically modified and thus is harder for our body to process. It is this, the author believes, that is causing obesity problems.

Pollan describes the Incas and how they were able to produce year round potatoes without any source of genetic modification. So why is it that our culture now values this new ideology that genetic modification of foods and plants is the best thing for us? Is it a way of claiming advancement of technology/science?

One sentence that stood out for me in these readings was when the author spoke of Darwin and quoted him as saying “Man does not actually produce variability” to which the author responds “Now he does.” It really kind of a shock when you think about it: Human kind has taken control of every aspect of this planet and nothing grows or comes to be naturally anymore.

I found the background history of the potato and its integration into the European culture interesting in and amongst Pollan’s description of his own potato farming, especially its battle with wheat.

When describing his potato farming, Pollan mentions Bt toxins and provides a brief history. He later mentions that it seems to “build up in the soil.” It’s quotes like these that start me questioning the effects GMOs have on the environment. The author does go on, however, to mention that this may be insignificant, but no one knows for sure. Though further in the chapter it is mentioned that the increased amounts of Bt toxin may increase the likelihood that pests may become resistant to their poison.

Nearing the end of the chapter, Pollan meets with Danny Forsyth, a potato farmer from Idaho; this is where I became curious. Forsyth uses traditional tactics to produce his crops: pesticides and chemicals. So Pollan asks the question, where is the real risk? I still believe there is an alternative: Organic. Sure it may be more expensive, and harder to come by, but to me it’s worth every cent. I know exactly what I am putting into my body and I know exactly what it does for me.

Not even Pollan could bring himself to eat these potatoes, the potatoes he himself had grown.