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Kirksey 1
Ja’Kenta Kirksey
Mrs. Bey
Composition 102
10 September 2015
Synthesis Essay
Pritchard, Forrest. "We've Missed the Entire Point About GMO Food -- A Farmer Explains
Why." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 222 Sept. 2015. Web. 10 Oct.
2015.
In “We’ve Missed the Entire Point About GMO Food – A Farmer explains why,” New York
Times best-selling author and seventh generation farmer, Forrest Pritchard argues that GMO
labeling is not the largest problem with these modified crops. He believes GMO planting results
in “death on a massive scale.” Since GMOs can withstand more herbicides, farmlands are being
drenched with it during the planting of GMO crops. Pritchard provides photos to back up his
claims. In these photos, taken from above Illinois, brown desolate fields throughout Illinois can
be spotted. Pritchard feels that Illinois is “on life support.” With industrialized crops standing at
96% and organic at 4%, the author is calling for a rebalance of the system (Pritchard).
Across the globe, Agribusinesses continue to destroy farmland. Genetically modified
organisms seeds are being planted. As a result, herbicides and pesticides are pouring like rains
into the soils. Because GMOs are herbicide and pesticide resistant, they are not affected by it.
However, everything else in the soil is not so lucky. Forrest Pritchard’s first hand testimony
sheds light on the condition of farmlands due to GMO crop practices. Farmlands are paying a
hefty price. Even after the departure of the crop, much toxicity remains. Nevertheless, companies
like Monsanto insist on producing more of the destructive crops. GMO labeling would be an
Kirksey 2
important step with dealing with the problem. By identifying foods produced by these practices,
consumers wield the power to boycott and protest again them.
"Monsanto's New GMO Cotton Will Unleash a Triple Whammy of Toxic Herbicides." The
Permaculture Research Institute Monsantos New GMO Cotton Will Unleash a Triple
Whammy of Toxic Herbicides Comments. Institute For Responsible Technology, 03 Nov.
2014. Web. 12 Oct. 2015.
In “Monsanto's New GMO Cotton Will Unleash a Triple Whammy of Toxic Herbicides," The
Institute For responsible technology exposes Monsanto’s new GMO cotton. Monsanto is fighting
for deregulation on the crop. Oregon Rep. Peter Defazio says we are “Witnessing agribusiness
attempt to wield its powerful influence over federal regulators.” The GMO cotton can withstand
