The Business Model - Big Ag
I am not a doctor, scientist, or expert in anything. This content should not be construed as advice or recommendation, but is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only.
The holidays are a time often spent with family and friends discussing a wide range of topics. Sometimes these topics, politics & religion for example, can be quite inflammatory, and are usually best left untouched unless we’re of mind to sour the mood.
During the holidays, I had a discussion with a family member who was extolling the virtues of genetic engineering, and the promise it holds for the future. I’ve never asked this person directly, but based on many of his views I’m pretty sure he is all onboard with a technocratic future in which “The Science” will dictate how we live.
This family member brought up an example of genetic engineering in plants, and that one day we’ll have plants that don’t need chemicals sprayed on them. Often times I will keep my thoughts to myself because I know that my view doesn’t jive with the common public perception, and it can lead to healthy arguments for which I just don’t have the energy.
But I figured this was a relatively safe topic, and dropped a food-for-thought bomb about the business model regarding genetic engineering, at least as it pertains to agriculture. While I’m not an expert, I do have exposure to this industry via a horticulture degree, as well as, a great deal of personal research into this topic.
I pointed out that he was missing the business model entirely. The point of genetically engineering plants is so more chemicals, herbicides specifically, can be sprayed on the plants.
What the majority of people don't realize is that most seed companies are owned by the companies that develop and manufacture agricultural chemicals such as the herbicide glyphosate. One of the more recognizable trade names of glyphosate is Round-Up.
The genetic re-jiggering that has been done on corn, soy, canola, cotton, alfalfa, and sugar beets allows for this chemical that normally kills most vegetation to be sprayed directly on the plant without killing it.
As an aside, these genetically engineered seeds (GMOs) are patented which increases the cost of the seed. Farmers cannot save seed from their harvest to plant the next season if they decide to use these genetically engineered seeds. Instead they must buy expensive new seed every year.
Typically, biological life and naturally occurring compounds cannot be patented (vitamins for example), but because some viral DNA fragments were inserted that change the genetic structure of the plants they are considered substantially differentiated from the real deal and are granted patents.
But don’t worry consumer! These plants are no different than the non-GMO versions. They’re just different in a way that allows us to patent them, and make way more money. Oh, and we can spray chemicals on them that would normally kill them. We don’t know how else they might have been changed during the process, but they are no different and are perfectly safe. Trust us!
Some genetic engineering has also been done to actually get plants to produce their own pesticides (Bt corn for example) which sounds like an incredibly bad idea full of potential negative downstream effects which will never be explored by these companies. Big Ag/Big Chem follows Big Pharma’s rules - don’t go looking for something you don’t want to find.
Genetic engineering in Big Ag has nothing to do with increasing yields even though that’s how the concept is sold, and everything to do with how they can sell more chemicals and make more money on the seeds at the same time.
Glyphosate is extremely toxic to soil microbes that are necessary for a fertile soil in which plants can grow.
Combined with industrial scale farming practices that intensively utilize the same piece of land over and over, the soil which was once naturally quite fertile, is a dead zone requiring more synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides in an attempt to keep yields up. We’ve created a feedback loop in which more of these inputs that damage soil are required further damaging the soil.
Glyphosate is typically sprayed on younger growing crops and not directly on the mature grain heads, but we don’t know much about how the chemical is distributed throughout the plant when it’s absorbed. However, glyphosate is commonly sprayed on some mature crops like wheat, oats, and beans as a desiccant to dry them out so they can be harvested.
Wheat is not a GMO, but it doesn’t matter because you’re trying to kill the plant anyway. Round-Up in your non-GMO whole wheat bread and morning oatmeal - yummy!
Glyphosate also happens to be toxic to the microbes in your gut and it’s a probable carcinogen, but that’s a different topic for a different day. Click here if you want to learn about some of the foods that are highly contaminated with glyphosate.
Another problem with indiscriminately spraying herbicides year after year is that the target weeds tend to develop resistance, so you must apply greater quantities of herbicides until eventually the herbicide no longer works. You now have a class of super weeds.
When you realize that your approach has the opposite effect of your intentions what do you do?
In the case of Big Ag/Big Chem, you genetically engineer plants to withstand a different herbicide to which the weeds don’t have resistance yet so you can keep the money rolling in. The big push has been for genetically engineered plants that can withstand 2,4-D which is a descendant of the incredibly toxic dioxin known as Agent Orange that was used to defoliate the jungle during the Vietnam War.
In the late spring and summer months when dandelions are growing in yards, you may notice a distinct smell, and several days later you see that the dandelions seem to be growing out of control and then they die. That smell and excessive growth are a result of 2,4-D being sprayed on your yard.
Grasses are typically resistant to 2,4-D, but broadleaf weeds are not. 2,4-D acts like a growth hormone literally causing a plant to grow itself to death. What you smell is the 2,4-D that you inhaled into your lungs.
Hmmm, what could go wrong using large quantities of something that effectively mimics hormones causing uncontrolled growth? I’m sure it’s completely safe though.
In the agricultural chemical world, genetically engineering plants in order to tolerate more chemicals is the business model. These companies do not care if they can increase yields or make a crop more nutritious, and in fact, I can make a reasonable argument as to why they wouldn’t want those results.
Genetically engineering plants is not being done because the Bayer’s and Syngenta’s of the world want to help human kind. They want to sell more of their chemical products plain and simple.
We need to learn to look past the marketing gimmicks and understand the true motivations behind the actions of these companies. If you want the world to change, reward companies that actually align with your values. The strongest vote you can cast isn’t in the voting booth. It’s where you decide to spend your money and which companies you support.