• 2005 UN report by 1300 scientists, in 95 countries says that 60 % of earth’s capacity for life: water, soil, biodiversity, is seriously degraded by human activity

The earth’s precarious position

Challenges:Rising populationExtreme weather eventsRampant developmentSpecies extinctionSoil and water loss

How will we feed ourselves?

• Process is unstable and questionable• Used for weed and pest control• Not segregated by industrial agriculture • 65 studies show potential health impacts• Serious environmental impacts

GMOs: Artificial organisms made by agrochemical corporations, crossing species boundaries

• Animals• Birds• Fish• Trees • Insects • All recombined

with each other and viruses, bacteria or drugs and industrial compounds in every possible combination.

Coming Up Next:

Industry Role in Contamination

1. Does not take preventive measures.2. Disseminates GMOs inappropriately.3. Falsely reassures public and regulators.4. Benefits from contamination and subsidized clean-up.5. Often opposes the scientific testing of the mechanisms of

contamination and it’s impacts on the natural environment and human health – and takes advantage of the lack of data.

6. Regulations do not prevent contamination.

“It’s a hell of a thing to say that the way we win isdon’t give the consumer a choice, but that might be it.” Dale Adolphe – Canadian GMO Seed Industry Spokesperson

GMO Facts

Higher costs Lower yield Limited markets Chemically dependent Restrictions on use and risk of

farmer lawsuits

“The 22% jump in glyphosate pounds applied per acre from 2001 to 2002 was caused by the major price reductions offered to farmers, the need to control more difficult sets of weeds, and the emergence of resistance… in many weed species that were once fully controlled by one glyphosate application.”

Pesticide use on GE Crops

-5 0 5 10 15

1996

1998

2000

2002

% Change in Pesticide Applied

GMO crops can not feed the world

• Lower yields• Require chemicals • Seeds are patented • Contaminate nearby crops• Increase farmer debt and dependency• Industrial methods not suitable for traditional

farmers who save seed and feed villages

GMO risks to our health

• Allergies• Immune suppression• Inflammation and toxicity• Untested viruses and bacteria used• Reproductive and fertility problems• Antibiotic resistance• Nutritional deficit

• Monsanto, Dupont, BASF, Bayer & Syngenta

• 532 patents on “climate ready” genes

• Posing as our saviors when drought and other problems threaten a food crisis.

www.etcgroup.org

Abu Ghraib

“Problems cannot be

solved at the same

level of awareness that

created them.”

- Albert Einstein

Patti – KOMO Weather Center

www.clairehopecummings.com

For more information:

Organic Consumers Assn

Center for Food Safety

Pesticide Action Network