Lyle Wright says genetically modified crops are like breast implants – the companies that own the royalties for high-tech products should also own the problems associated with them.
Wright, a farmer and seed grower from Kerrobert, Sask., presented his thoughts to a panel on genetically modified organisms at Crop Production Week 2000.
He said it’s time for companies like Monsanto and the newly formed Aventis to take responsibility for some of the costs associated with genetic modification.
Speakers on the four-person panel spoke of the need to develop identity preservation systems to segregate GM and non-GM crops to satisfy the needs of customers like Europe and Japan.
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Wright said there is a huge cost associated with segregation and biotech companies seem unwilling to pay their share.
He also wanted to know what chemical companies are doing about the problem that occurs when seeds from a neighbor’s genetically modified crop drift into a non-GM field.
A panel representative from Aventis, a company formed through the merger of AgrEvo and Rhone Poulenc, assured Wright that chemical companies are aware of these issues, but he didn’t elaborate.
“There’s a lot of things that have to be worked out,” said Bill Anderson.
Opposition in Europe
One of the panelists was a representative of Warburton’s, the United Kingdom’s biggest baker and the single largest processor of Canadian wheat in Europe.
She pleaded with the audience to remember that there are customer’s like Warburton’s who demand GM-free product.
“The consumers in the U.K. don’t want GMOs,” said Nancy Heaman, director of operations at Warburton’s research facility in Brandon, Man.
In an interview conducted after the panel discussion, Wright said the spokesperson from Warburton’s is proof that North America’s scientific community has done a poor job of educating consumers about this new technology. The result is that farmers have been locked out of key markets.
“To assume that the public won’t question (GMOs) seems really short-sighted,” said Wright.
“Their basic thesis has been … ‘this is so complicated you can’t possibly understand it so we won’t explain it to you. Just trust us.’ “
Wright said he’s doesn’t want to come across as “Lyle the Luddite.” In fact he has embraced new technology, including herbicide-tolerant canola.
He just wants the Monsantos of the world take more responsibility for the technology they introduced.
“Somehow all of this new technology has to benefit the farmgate,” said Wright.
– PRATT
