Summary of the reviewed piece:
The video "The Future of Food" was a very informational and interesting piece. The film when into detail about how our produce was once very diverse in the different varieties of select veggies like potatoes and corn. Now we only have a hand full of different kinds of those same veggies. It then went into the history of changes that farming went through by the different pesticides and fertilizers they used. The film went into great detail on how the farmers had to keep increasing the usage of pesticides they used on the crops which then as increased the health risks from the pesticides used.
All this information built up to what the whole film is about "The Gene Revolution". The company that started it all was Monsanto and their patenting of different seeds. The film stated that Monsanto owns 11,000 patents on their roundup ready seeds. Monsanto took their patented seed seriously, so serious they went as far as bring lawsuits against farmers who apparently had "their" patented seed in the crops. The most famous lawsuit that they talked about in the film was the Percy Schmeiser case, it was big because Percy fought back against Monsanto and the lawsuit against them. The film also discussed how they got the different genes into the plants. They touched on the 3 most common ways that are used: bacteria, use of electricity, and the gene gun.
The film also discussed how Monsanto had employees that also used to work the EPA, which definitely helped Monsanto keep doing what they are doing without having any problems. The film also talked about how Monsanto wants to bring their patenting out side the country into parts like Mexico. It also went into detail about how the cost of growing crops out is much higher than what the farmers get back from growing them.
This film was a good eye opener for me, it made me look more into buying locally grown foods from the farmers around here. Helping the little man out instead of the huge corporation that really do not care about us!! Growing up in a small town and around a lot farms, it really touched home for me and it makes me sad to think of these hard working people having to go through all this hardship for all the work they really do for us!
List of new terms with definitions:
Green Revolution-usually refers to the transformation of agriculture that began in 1945.
Roundup ready- is the brand name of a systemic, broad-spectrum herbicide produced by the U.S. company Monsanto and contains the active ingredient glyphosate.
Promoter gene- is a region of DNA that facilitates the transcription of a particular gene.
Antibiotic marker gene (reporter gene)-is a gene that researchers attach to another gene of interest in cell culture, animals or plants.
Organic food-are made according to certain production standards, meaning they are grown without the use of conventional pesticides and artificial fertilizers, free from contamination by human or industrial waste, and processed without irradiation or food additives.
Genetic modified (GM)-foods that have had their DNA changed through genetic engineering.
Landrace-refers to domesticated animal or plants adapted to the natural and cultural environment in which they live (or originated) and, in some cases, work.
Links to additional resources that readers can go to for more information:
Check this site out to learn more on Monsanto.
Check this site out to learn more about the gene revolution.
Posts
Hey Ingrid,
ReplyDeleteI also thought the film was also a good eye opener as I was previously unaware of these issues either. Since my dad is a farmer, I am suprised that I was not aware of these issues before, but think it is valuable to understand the dynamics involved. Great post!
The Gene Gun..sounds like a fantasy toy, but its a real thing. Yikes!!!! The picture at the top of your post is very important to note. The patent on the corn is what the issue is. It is so frustrating to see a uncontrollable life-form, of which spreads its genetically seed through the process of wind lifting it off Monsanto's trucks. That is Monsanto's problem if their product goes astray. Like a dog that goes out and starts biting people. The dog owner is responsible. Way to go Monsanto, your company is like a rabid dog that has gone astray with no one to stand up to you and put you in the dog pound. Well at UMD we invented the dogpound...and I plan on spreading the word about the corrupt Monsanto Corporation. I have no interest in ever eating Monsanto grown food.
ReplyDeleteLove the photo will post more later!:)
ReplyDeleteIngrid-
ReplyDeleteThis film was eye opening for me as well. Although it was hard to pay attention sometimes, it really had a lot of interesting facts. I agree with you on buying locally grown foods to support the little men! Good job summarizing the film!
Haha, I like the photo...it really gets the point across. I found this film not as interesting as the other two films we watched. However, it did have some very important information. I buy all my meat from farms from back home or from my roommates grandparents. I like the fact of knowing where my meat came from and supporting local farmers, of course. Great Post, Ingrid!
ReplyDeleteIngrid
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, that photo is great! Good find! You had a lot of really great things to say in your summary and it was very nicely put together. I agree with you that it is frustrating to watch people get sued for something that they had no control over. The fact that once it's settled they aren't allowed to discuss it makes me wonder what they settled for... Also, great terms! I definitely didn't really know what any of them meant.
Heather
Ingrid-
ReplyDeleteNice post! I also really liked the picture..it was funny, but sadly true! I also grew up in a small town and my dad used to help farm. I agree that it is really sad to see how hard they work and are getting cheated out of everything because of the big corporations. I am looking into buying locally grown foods as well!
Great review! This film definitely made me want to buy more locally-grown (and organic!) food, too. Growing up knowing a lot of people who are farmers made this documentary very interesting and I was able to sympathize with the small farmers!
ReplyDeleteAlso, excellent choice of picture for this post!
ReplyDeleteOhh yes, its finally letting me comment!:) I loved the picture I know I already told you but its great! In addition to the photo I enjoyed clicking on your terms.. round up was a good one! Also, I agree with you that this video helped me to think a little bit harder about buying locally grown foods! I really liked how you hit on the point about the workers of Monsanto working for the EPA that was I think the greatest part of this film for me, when they ran the names and titles of the individuals who were related to both organizations in some form was really unbelievable! Ingrid keep up the good work!:)
ReplyDelete1. I really liked the picture you posted with this review...very fitting!
ReplyDelete2. Good list of terms and great additional resource!
3. I agree with you, we should be helping the little man out instead of the huge corporation that only cares about profit!
I too would love to start buying from more local co-ops and food stores! This way, I at least have more of an idea of what's going in my mouth and know that it won't harm me!
ReplyDeleteVery well said Ingrid. I can't believe how corrupt a corporation could be. And more importantly how corrupt the people are that work for Monsanto?! This film, although informational, was really hard to watch because of the farmers and their real-life stories of how Monsanto ruined their lives. I just don't know how a corporation could have no remorse for people, especially HARD-WORKING people...Like a lot of people that have commented already, I have no interest in buying Monsanto products, however, there is no real way to know so it really kinda sucks. I will have to look into buying locally to lower my chances of supporting Monsanto!
ReplyDeletegood job Ingrid, the whole monsanto thing blows my mind. To me they are just money hungry. I didnt think it was fair to the farmers since most of the cases seemed like the Monsanto seed blew into their fields.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you in that this film was eye opening, I had an idea about the genetic modification of plants and things, but this film helped me to understand it a bit better. I too plan to help out 'the little guys' :) Great job Ingrid!
ReplyDeleteIngrid-
ReplyDeleteIt's sad to think of how inncocent hard workers are suffering and beingfrom a small town like yourself, knowing some of these great people makes it more unfortunate. I guess we can do our part and look into buying more locally gorwn foods like you said. :)
Hey Ing! Great post. I agree with you, I think it's important for us to help out these small farm companies who really care. I thought it was interesting the different ways they used to genetically modify foods. I think there was a great concept behind genetically modified foods but in actuallity it has done more harm than good.
ReplyDeleteGood job summarizing the main ideas. I agree with you that we should do more to help out the littler businesses like buying organic! I have thought about doing this many times but still have yet to purchase something organic..this film makes me want to get going on that. Great post;)
ReplyDeleteGreat job Ingrid! I thought that the three different ways of genetically modifying seeds was really interesting. I had no idea that they used electricity, bacterium, and a gene gun to modify seeds. I also feel that people should start buying more of their foods at local Co-Ops to support the local farmers, instead of buying from the big corporations that don't even care about us. Great Point!!!
ReplyDeleteGood work Ingrid! I like the picture. Sweet corn sounds delicious right now but not gene altered sweet corn. It's interesting to think about how much the patenting of food has affected our farmer. If the law to patent food was never passed I think we would never of had the giant downslope of farmers discontinuing what they love to do and that is to provide naturally fresh crops for our country.
ReplyDeleteIngrid- Such a good photo at the top. Once again, you always find the best pictures!! I feel like you really understood this documentary and wrote an excellent review!
ReplyDeleteI am from a smaller town also, and a lot of my friends in high school grew up on a farm. I couldn't help but think of them when I was watching this documentary. The story about Percy and his little farm was HORRIBLE. In my opinion Monsanto=Monster. I hope that enough of us can be educated about what is actually going on so we know which team were rooting for when we are buying produce. --S
Good review! I agree that Monsanto is going to far with how they are splicing all of these genes that can be harmful to our health. Then they are sueing farmers for using their seeds that they don't have full control over, it's all very frustrating.Your definitions also were really helpful!
ReplyDeleteHey there Ingrid! Really like the picture! And really liked your summary of the film! Yah if there is anything this film did, its also made me look into buying more homegrown foods! Have a good one!
ReplyDeleteSteve
good post Ingrid! I agree with you this film was an eye opener for me as well. I feel bad for the farmers who have to deal with the monsanto company. I also like the picture...it goes really well with the topics covered in the documentary.
ReplyDeleteIngrid!
ReplyDeleteYou had a great viewpoint on this documentary. I couldn't imagine growing up around farms and then seeing this video to see what some farmers go through! I think buying locally would be a great change and it is definitely something I really want to do!
We should try the co-op sometime!
Great review Ingrid!!
Kathy
Ingrid,
ReplyDeleteGood Review! I agree that i have to start buying produce and my meats from local farms. My Dad and step Mom do that so I know that it is available in the area.
Hey Ingrid~
ReplyDeleteThis documentary i was very sad me too. Never in a million years would i have thought farmers were being treated like this. This film definitely encourages to buy more locally grown food and also consider how thw foods i eat affect the environment.
Great Post!