Genetically Modified Foods: Propaganda at the public library
Maine Coast Now.com
By Cathy Trueman
April 23, 2007
Excerpt…
What better way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon than at the movies?? That is what I was thinking when I was asked to attend a showing of “The Future of Food” at Vose Library. When we arrived, the wrong movie had been delivered and the PBS documentary on Seabiscuit was playing, while the correct one was on the way.
About a half hour later, the right movie arrived and was introduced. It was during the introduction that I began to realize that I was about to watch a very one-sided story. The movie was about genetically modified foods. It was accompanied by handouts from a group that is called Protect Maine Farmers. One handout requested that I call my State Legislators and ask them to support LD 1650, which is “An Act to Amend the Laws Concerning GE Plants and Seeds.” The other piece was actually a postcard that would make it easy and convenient to mail to my Legislators, urging them to support this bill. Had I just read the bill I might actually have agreed with it and supported the concept. Attending this viewing made me think otherwise.
The introduction was made by a man who stated that the Seabiscuit showing made us think that Monsanto (the sponsor) was a good company. He went on to say that the following movie was going to prove to us that Monsanto was not such a good company. He pointed out the handouts and encouraged the small group to distribute them. He then left, saying that he had another meeting to attend and another representative from their group was on the way to the library.
The movie began and I watched with interest as seemingly sincere farmers gave testimony to the evils of Monsanto and their Roundup Ready seed. Within minutes the technology, science and research were denounced. This was one of the most blatant pieces of propaganda I have ever watched. As the movie progressed I found myself wondering less about the seed and upcoming bill and instead questioning how a library that depends on endowments, financial gifts and an appropriation from the town would host this event. Normally the library is not open on a Sunday, so the building was being used specifically for this viewing. I was truly disappointed that the library would allow itself to be linked to such a misleading piece.
Rather than focus on the subject of the movie itself, I became annoyed that this group is using these tactics to get innocent people to push their legislatures to support a bill. It is unfair to use fear and panic to get a public outcry. I know these measures are not new or uncommon. This type of activity has been going on for many years, but it is not right. Facts should be presented and both sides of a story should be told. The information presented should be impartial. This film was trying to say our food supply is in danger and that Monsanto is to blame. I also got the message that they feel Monsanto has too much power. The makers of the movie do not like that the company has patented the seeds they have developed and own and protect those rights.
As the movie continued, I was watching field after field of soy, wheat and corn and being told it was not good. If I bought into this, I would be afraid to eat anything that I do not grow myself. With my limited gardening skills my survival would be doomed.
Instead, I marveled that we have come so far. Farmers no longer use DDT and other toxins that have caused so much harm. It is a shame that we need to use any chemicals on our food products, but without them we would have very limited supplies of food.
This group calls themselves Protect Maine Farmers, yet the Maine farmers I have spoken to do not support the bill. They did not agree with the message of the movie and were frustrated that it was so misleading….
Cathy Trueman’s column runs every other Tuesday.
Read the full article at Maine Coast Now.com.
