An artichoke plant grown from seed. Once it flowered, more graines were collected; with them I hope to grow a new plant in our garden. Is it true that seed collection–from our own gardens–may one day be illegal? Or is this just one of those conspiracy-theory rumors? By the way (and not in the same breath as conspiracy!), the film Genetic Roulette is free for viewing today (Friday), after which you will have to pay to see it!
For those waiting to read the English translation to Jean-Marc's story, click here.
OGM (oh-zhay-em)
: un organisme génétiquement modifié
: a genetically modified organism (a "GMO"); a plant, such as corn, that has been genetically modified
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
In the past month, apart from enjoying every moment with my dear mom (Jules left yesterday…), I have been learning about food, specifically genetically modified food–something that is banned here in France (due to the need for further testing regarding health risks…).
In the United States, genetically modified foods are prevalent, having been silently introduced into the market place in the 1990s. Found in fruits and vegetables, GMOs are in everything from ketchup to peanut butter to kids' breakfast cereal, and are served in restaurants, on airplanes, and in school cafeterias. Currently genetically modified foods do not require labelling (in the States) so there's no knowing whether or not an apple or a cookie or a jar of peanut butter contains them.
Because the following topic could be a touchy or emotional one… I'm going to play it safe and assign myself the role of debate moderator–rather than debate participant! (go ahead and call me une poule mouillée or wet chicken–anything in order to hear your personal view on this GMO topic!)
Thanks for adding any related links (to documentaries, websites, books) that might persuade some of us to agree with you!
Share your view here, and enter to win seeds from this amazing artichoke plant, grown in my garden in Sainte Cécile-les-Vignes… and soon to be planted here in our new garden near Bandol.
Click here to enter the discussion: "For or against GMOs".
One of the most exciting days of my life was seeing this gorgeous artichoke plant arise… from a single seed!
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C’est un bon chardon! Si vous soigniez votre jardin, on peut evite
cet probleme. Quand les gens s’eduquent, ils vont controler la provision de nourriture.
It is true that growers have been modifying genes through centuries of selective farming but the recent GM push has been so clearly profit-driven by large companies with bad records, like Monsanto, that we’d be crazy to trust their “science”. It is used to prepare crops to withstand Round-up so the crops are sprayed to our disadvantage. It suits big farmers and chemical companies. It does not suit people who seek health.
In Australia, we are tending in the USA direction, despite much opposition. The “test plots” in Tasmania and WA have contaminated neighboring farms by wind-blown pollens. Who couldn’t see that happening? Yet the legal protection for those farmers is a mess.
GM cannot be trusted, although it isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
why would you want to eat something thats fake. even if it was tested as safe i still wouldn’t eat it just because its fake. we should ban these no one should have to bear the brunt of corporate food monopoly, let alone we shouldn’t let it into france or switzerland
No, I wouldn’t knowingly eat anything that had been genetically modified. Modified how ? Incorporating weed killer into a tomato ? Into a product that you are going to put into your body ? How is that supposed to be good ? Big Pharma said they were doing it to feed the third world. No. They were doing it to line their own pockets. They’ve proved this by monopolising seed distribution and sueing anyone that dares to oppose them. Big Pharma is evil. They do not care if the world is sick. In fact, it’s better for them if it is sick ! They can bring out a new drug to ‘treat it’. They are going to destroy the world. Mark my words, genetically modified plants are just the beginning. God knows what they will do next. It is time that man stopped playing god. They do not, and will never have the capacity to improve the world, only to destroy it.
As there are billions more people on the planet, many of whom live agriculturally challenged areas. It will be more difficult for them to survive on the whims of crop production without the insurance that GMOs provide (more nutrient in less food). It is very “first world” to worry about GMO and have the idea that everyone leisurely goes to the market to pick the most beautiful produce for their tables. Most of the world doesn’t have the money to sustain their nutritional needs and modifications to make their crops more productive and resistant to disease and rot are essential to their survival. In the old days it was “natural” for them to die off in large periodic famines, something we don’t really consider as acceptable today. Or do we? That being said, genetic modification has been going on since the advent of agriculture with hybridization, breeding, etc. As I understand it there are different types of genetically modified crops and that many are just incorporating natural resistance into the organism. I don’ t, however, think that incorporating non-natural pesticide is a good idea. But if the difference was between starvation and survival, as it is for many peoples, the choice is clear.
no to GMO’s. i just heard about them this year. I have been into health food since 1988 when I stopped eating meat and poultry because of the hormones and antibiotics. Thank you Karen for pointing out why they might even consider doing such a thing, but there has to be a better way to preserve the environment. Ironically, i only eat Ensure now because I am unable to swallow food due to having ALS, Motor Neuron Disease.
Sending prayers of strength to you, Melanie.
Yes, there is a better way but the Big Ag businesses can only be fought by us and our support of Organic Farming. Studies like this one show that cover crops plus natural compost/animal manures also have the potential to turn significant GHG emissions into substantial reductions. Each person’s choice really matters in this effort.
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_22011.cfm
My issue is that they (aka corporations such as Monistaro) “secretly” started doing this. With no regard to the people, just so they can make tons of money. I certainly don’t want to eat this food, which is why I am trying to learn to grow my own food with Heirloom Seeds. The more I can grow the better my chances of eating healthier
With all the latest research coming out about tumors and even people saying their health is better now that they don’t eat GMO’s (expensive and hard to do, but can be done). We have a RIGHT to know! Our own Declaration of Independence says we have the “unalienable right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” How can we have life if corporations are slowly killing us? Monistaro and company hold our Liberty hostage by denying us the chance to choice and give us the knowledge to know what to feed ourselves. Good grief CHINA labels!!!!!
California Prop 37 has a lot of grass roots and people supporting it, despite Monistaro and Companies lies behind their ads. Just looking at who is for and against gives you the real picture. These company’s are scared their bottom line will dry up with this information on all food items across the nation.
Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossibly to avoid GMO foods. They are everywhere and we often eat them without realizing. However, when presented with the choice I prefer not to. I find it frightening and shameful that our society allows this to happen with such disregard to our freedom of choice. I also do what I can to teach my child about this issue. I want him to understand how our choice for a healthy lifestyle is being robbed from us because of profits.
I am not in favor of GMO foods. Food products should be labeled so the consumer has a choice. When it comes to our food supply, profit should not be a criteria. Safety for our health should be the number one rule.
Unless one finds a way to breed with a plant, no possibility exists for any plant to rearrange ones’ DNA. Whoever finds a way to breed with a different species, please let me know. My curiosity is very lurid.
The successful breeder might also be in line for some illustrious scientific prize.
Plants developed down thru the ages are genetically modified thru selection.
Nowadays, plants can be modified thru direct DNA rearrangment. For example, some have received fish genes to resist freezing at normal temperature (0 C). Some mad genius could conceivably give edible plants genes from poisonous ones. Not much market in that.
Those who fear genetically modified plants should, however, look on the bright side. They can join the Chicken Little and Flat Earth Societies.
Live in Nice, France
Can find real stuff at either the farmers market / flower market in old Nice at cours Saleya http://greenlifeinsocal.com/2010/05/14/farmers-market-in-nice-france/ (tram stop Cathédrale-Vieille Ville ) or another market at tram stop Liberation or another on LaBuffa almost to Gambetta.
Want OGM/GMO? The “Big Box” stores like Carrefore, ELeClerc etc have found a way around those stupid French laws. They offer carrots the size of your arm, etc, etc. They just say: “Orgin Europe” and get away with murder.
Definitely against GMOs…wish labeling were required. I’m sure I’ve eaten products that are GMOs, and I’d rather not have.
I’m with the majority who don’t want GMO foods – when oh when will the politicians and corporate farming groups who promote this in the name of profit not listen to their customers. We have an intuitive response that nature nows best and should not be messed with where food is concerned. Since moving to Turkey, I eat fresh food daily – that’s how it is done here in the home and in restaurants. And we eat fruit and vegetables in season – bananas being one of the few regular imports. I lost a stone and a half in my first 4 months here without trying – and I put it down to eating better fresher food – even though some of them wouldn’t pass Western supermarket criteria of perfect looks – they just taste so good and that is all I care about – particularly as a vegetarian!
Not much of a debate here. I too am against GMOs. Have been for 20 years. Seems I could only find one person… “John” that was in favor of them, and a bit naive. Hybridization of plants by cross pollenation is not the same as taking genetic material and forcing a plant to modify to it’s new structure. Fish oil in strawberries to keep them from freezing. Round-up ready Soy beans… Sterilization of seed… We don’t need any of this. GMO should be banned.
I said I would check into seeds. Thank goodness Monsanto doesn’t make all the seeds. I have found one so far… Cornacopia Seeds that has the packet labeled “no GMO” used. I think the biggest concern for GMO is it’s usage in livestock and chickens. Not all are vegetarians. Unfortunately what I read about the California bill leaves a bit to be desired. Apparently not all items will be labeled. What about those that come from other states? I personally try to eat locally. Only produce and meat, chicken and fish within a hundred mile radius. I live near the ocean and in an area with an abundance of produce and most of it organic at the farmers markets. But this is not the case in so many places in the states. We think we are so far ahead but are actually so far behind many countries in our thinking.
I am against scientists fooling around with our foods without concern for long term effects. And, I am totally for OGM/GMO LABELING; giving me a choice. Though I try not to buy GMO foods, and we eat neither fast foods nor frozen foods, I know that we inadvertently do succumb to GMO’s. So, hopefully I am minimizing their negative effects on us.
Gina, I totally agree with your comment about Monsanto. If they wanted to really help impoverished farmers they wouldn’t be selling sterile seeds!
I am almost 84 years old, have no stomach-digestion problems having been fed food in the US my entire life.
Plant breeders, dairy producers, chicken raisers etc. have been engenering since man began domesticating products.
We should save our emotional energy to worry about human genetic engineering and the problems with delivering 6-8 premees at a time, or other premees. More often or not they have lifetime problems, and who takes care when the parents are gone?
If you are strongly against, grow your own, or move from a country producing food cheaply so you have other gadgets you can afford to buy in the US.
Great fotos.
Every fruit or vegetable eaten on the planet has been genetically modified. It’s called “hybridization” and it occurs by chance in nature and has been carried out intentionally by humans since the dawn of agriculture.
Science can be a wonderful thing. Just as Stem cell research may lead to wonderful possibilities in medical fields, these GMO crops might just be the way we can feed larger populations in the future while keeping pesticide and fertilizer use to a minimum.
France has it right, however. They should not be allowed until extensive testing gives a clear picture of the effects they can cause, not only to us but to the larger ecosystem.
I for one, will continue to save seeds, grow edibles at home, and support small local producers. Currently I am trying to get my HOA to remove clauses in our covenant that prohibit planting edibles in front yard gardens.
DITTO for me! I am a big believer in organic and heirloom plants. Though I appreciate scientists trying to create better crops for production and distribution purposes … especially to those countries facing dire growing conditions, I would prefer eating only organic foods. PS/Love the flowering artichoke photo!
Kristen, Thank yo so much for sharing the link to this movie. I have been concerned about GMOs since 2005 when I first heard them discussed in a college class. I too, would never knowingly eat GMO foods, but sine the U.S. does not require their labeling, it’s difficult to know sometimes. As a Californian, I will vote YES on the upcoming referendum to require foods in California be labeled as containing GMOs. I will also insist that the markets that I shop at regularly carry “Non-GMO Project Verified” foods. Your timing could not have been more perfect!
I am against GMO. Recent tests on rats have proven it causes tumors. If retailers insist on selling it in stores, it should be labeled as such.
We get already enough unwanted chemicals in our foods without GMO.
INTERESTING ARTICLE: 19 Studies Suggest Link Between GMO Foods and Serious Organ Damage
http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/19-studies-suggest-link-between-gmo-foods-and-serious-organ-damage/
You can’t see or taste the difference, which is very scary…just like pesticides, you can’t see or taste the difference.
I would never choose to eat GMOs for so many reasons, most are mentioned in the responses above. It is hard to know what we are being sold in grocery stores here in the US. I am an organic gardener so there is some control with that and we have a good food Coop. But, basically our food supply is out of our control. It poisons us and the production of it poisons the environment. The corporations run things here in the US and we are in big trouble because of it. Yes it is all about profits.
Thank you for bringing this up, the more people are made aware of the situation, the more chance for change. There are some great and knowledgeable comments from your readers. It gives me hope.
Today I’ve only time to leave a note expressing my feelings on GMOs. I too avoid them. Not only am I concerned about long term effects on my own health, I’m concerned about environmental effects. Those who think we’re just tweaking natural selection are uninformed. Really, would natural selection or even cross pollination introduce Monsanto’s pesticides and herbicides into our food? What makes folks think those chemicals are safe to eat? Poison is poison! GMOs are implicated in colony collapse disorder, killing off our precious, pollinating bees already. What is next?
I really don’t know much about GMO Foods to make an educated statement as to whether they are bad or good for humans. But I will say “playing” around with nature too much could have devastating consequences. I try to buy organic or local foods when I can. I just wish the cost was alittle less. The artichoke image is awesome. Artichokes are the second greatest food next to garlic. Try them on pizza with spinach. So delicious!
Check out the corn the Aztecs grew and compare it to say, pioneer hybid or any pre-GMO corn. The difference is huge, a product of years of gene selection by selective planting and pollenation. It is, in effect, GMO done very slowly.
With GMO these changes can be very fast. Done improperly, they can poison us. Done properly, they can accomplish a lot. Sort of like driving a car instead of walking–walking is safe and slow, driving can kill you. Anyone want to ban cars?
Properly done GMO crops can have a huge impact on reducing the pesticides used, increasing the yield of crops,preventing the growth of stomach cancer inducing fungus etc..
Someone had to say it. My next lecture will be on Fracking:)
I will now be reading up on GMO foods thanks to your blog. I would like to know if I can purchase some of the artichoke seeds? I only grow seeds from France and Italy. Thanks.
I do NOT believe that GMO foods should be legal, allowed, or consumed by humans! I may have been born and raised in the States, but, my heart and soul belong to FRANCE. therefore, I do not take any fault for this horrendous activity upon myself and ask that France and other nations, forgive us. AND do not follow in our footsteps. I always use organic or whole foods as much as possible. I make all my meals from SCRATCH and detest chemically treated foods. I am so shocked that I do not know what to eat now that I know GMO foods could be lurking even in my grocery apple bins!
TY for your fantastic blog, site and newsletter! I love them all.
KAREN/ARIA
If given a choice, I would not eat GMOs but some of us don’t have a choice as we are not given any information. Also, some companies have taken over the farming industry and forced out our local farmers by a form of hostile take over if the movie “Food, Inc.” is correct. I wish I had a lovely home in France to move to or just to travel too for the summers. I’m going to start praying for the funds to travel so I can get to the place I love at least one more time!
Iwould only eat a GMO if I didn’t know it was one!
I agree with Alicia and with many others. Here in the U.S., we do not always have that option. I live in Chicago where we have very few Farmer’s Markets; where the odds of coming across foods w/o any pesticides, hormones, or are completely organic are a rarity or are ridiculously priced. My husband and I own a home in the Loire Valley and have our own miniature garden. We only travel there roughly a few times a year when the cherries and pears at the end of the summer are perfect! They require no work and because they aren’t tampered with, taste even greater!!I’ve been fortunate enough to live in California as well as in France. If I could move back to California again, I would be there in a heartbeat! Something needs to be done to change our food system here. The French are doing it right by banning GMO until further research depicts otherwise. They clearly see that there are some health issues. Simply having the option to choose our ‘type’ of food could eventually change the demand.
I can’t say that I know a lot about GMO foods, but I having been thinking a lot about my grandchild, another relative, and a friend’s grandchild. The first, who at 5 weeks old got cancer, the next ,who at 2 weeks old had to have open heart surgery and the last child at 1 month old got meningitis. I can’t say that it is food related, but what causes these young innocent children to get these dreadful maladies at such a young age?
Same as above, I suppose. I know I have eaten GMOs at times, but I buy all I can fresh and organic. Why take the chance?
All organic, no meat, definitely NO GMO!! I LOATHE Monsanto that engineers seed to require their pesticides to grow and doesn’t reseed so it’s devastating to farmers, and to the land, and to the eco-system. Just horrible!!
Here in California there is a GMO labeling bill on the ballot but appears that it is being defeated by all of Monsanto’s lobbyists and big money.
I hope that France will remain GMO free.
Monsanto Documentary:
Kristin, if you haven’t, you might want to look for the documentary “Nos enfants nous accuseront,” which came out in FR maybe two years ago, about the decay in French food systems. It’s very interesting.
Organic does not alway equal non GMO. I wish it did, but sadly it does not. Unless you can verify that your seeds haven’t been “developed” by Monsanto or one of the other corporations (Monsanto owns a large percentage of the seed companies that are marketed in North America). Organic just means no pesticides (and that’s not actually regulated very well in most countries), doesn’t mean that its not GMO. I think its definitely better to eat organic, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t ingesting a modified organism that contains proteins which destroy your cells ….slowly causing many health effects.
As usual the common way of thinking is that human health is not related our environment what so ever. It is ridiculous! We have unknowingly been eating GMO for years in our processed foods including meat and dairy products. It goes right along with consuming pesticides, a little each day. I heard a statement the other day that the most toxic drink today is mother’s breast milk…hello, we are linked to the food chain. Our food is addictive and toxic and allergies, disease and disorders continue to rise, especially in children.
Écoutez-mois, vous êtes ce que votre nourriture mange!
Listen to me, you are what your food eats!
If your corn eats fertilizers and pesticides or your chicken eats GMO corn or pesticide laced corn or glyphosate (RoundUp) laced corn, then, ultimately, you are eating the same things.
I’m thrilled that your debate sparked so much interest. Many people in the US still do not know about GMOs. If you live in the US most likely you are unknowingly consuming GMOs. It is almost impossible to avoid them. I agree with most others here – label them or even better get rid of them.
I’m an American, now living in France. I thought like many others who posted here – good for France for banning GMOs. i recently learned it’s not that simple. Any products which are imported may still contain GMOs. Products are allowed to have 0.9% GMO and not be labeled, A large percentage of animals (80%) are fed GMOs. The only way to avoid eating animals who have eaten GMOs is to avoid eating animal products or buy organic.
Monsanto has bought our government. The FDA fast tracks approvals. The head of the USDA is Tom Vilsack. According to organicconsumers.org *Vilsack is an ardent support of corn and soy based biofuels, which use as much or more fossil energy to produce them as they generate, while driving up world food prices and literally starving the poor.
http://www.greenpeace.org/france/fr/campagnes/ogm/fiches-thematiques/des-ogm-dans-nos-assiettes/
http://guide-ogm.greenpeace.fr/
http://www.gmo-free-regions.org/gmo-free-regions/france.html
Monsanto is an evil giant. If there were a way to identify whether a seed or plant was a GMO, it would not find it’s way to my table. We Americans are not being protected by our government. I feel there is something I should do to help, but I don’t know where to start. Even products labeled as “organic” may be from GMO seeds, since they don’t need to be labeled. BAD!
I havent had a chance to read all the comments, but the ones i have read I strongly agree with and am glad to know that some people are aware of some stuff thats happening in the US…our natural resources are becoming endangered! LETS PLEASE GET RID OF GMOs! Even though they are in EVERYTHING we eat nowadays State-side. 🙁 🙁 🙁
IF YOU HAVENT ALREADY heard about it (or if someone hasnt posted this), SEE the documentary
“Food, Inc”
and read any book by Michael Pollan.
and Buy heirloom seeds/vegetables because even if you grow it yourself, you may be buying genetically modified seeds, and supporting GMOs, causing heirloom (just older, natural versions of seeds) and varieties to become extinct.
Remember the Potato Famine? well, what happens when we can no longer eat the only food available to us because of something that happens to it? We all die…
The government and giant corporations here are trying to control our food, and don’t care much about the direction of health, only the money… (because we can fix everything we screw up with modern medicine, right?)
Also, we should have a right to know about what we are eating, as well as have a right to eat. and grow our own food. and know WHERE it comes from.
I’m so glad I came across this blog post! MERCI!!
(love the blog and the books though anyway)
other countries should stop importing food from the US!!!!
(and no offense!) but the french (and everyone else) need to realize how horrible “Le MacDo” really is for you! and that it’s not something a true “American” is proud of! (when i was living in Paris, the students constantly wanted to eat at “MacDo” (McDonalds) and I was so frustrated and was embarrassed that they thought that was what was “quintessentially American” and that Americans only eat hamburgers…get me a baguette!
Lets hope we can change this before its too late!
qui a l’envie d’une révolution alimentaire?
Absolutely no GMO’s for our family. It’s difficult sometimes, but we buy 100% organic. Either organic or we do without. We also make everything from scratch–even ketchup, mayo, etc. And we eat at home. It helps, also, that we raise a lot of our own food.
no GMO for me
no GMO for me
I agree with many other readers that playing around with our food crops will do nothing but cause harm to our environment and our bodies. I only support food producers that are against GMO food and stick to natural and organic products at the store. I think Monsanto’s tactics are appalling and they should be stopped by governments worldwide or the UN if that’s possible.
Your artichokes are beautiful Kristin and a true testament to naturally grown food! Thank you for the lovely picture.
I’m sorry Jules had to leave but I’m glad you had such a nice time together. Keep those memories in your heart each day!