Printed in the Star Bulletin

Letters to the Editor, Sunday, April 8, 2007

Anti GMO Crowd Perpetuates Myths

The April 5 article on Monsanto's Kunia land purchase and seed farm expansion of 100 or more employees has set off the environmental scaremongers again. Paul Achitoff, lawyer for Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund, states that he is concerned for organic farmers.

Organic farmers need not be concerned about crossing, since crossing of varieties with corn pollen from different conventional varieties has been well controlled by timing of planting and distance. This is a proven procedure in corn production, and it can work with farmers growing organic corn.

If export crop sales are affected by genetically engineered crops, then the responsibility should be with those anti-GMO groups who perpetuate fear of genetically engineered crops with never any mention of reliable scientific evidence of harm to humans or the environment to back up their campaigns.

Perhaps Monsanto should express fear of organic crop contamination grown adjacent to it that have reduced disease (E. coli) and insect-control programs. And more urban environmentalists should take a course on corn pollination.

Don Gerbig
Lahaina, Maui