“Seed is not just the source of life. It is the very foundation of our being.“ — Vandana Shiva” I recently watched the movie “SEED: The untold story.” I already knew a lot about genetically modified food, its many negative
“Seed is not just the source of life. It is the very foundation of our being.“
— Vandana Shiva”
I recently watched the movie “SEED: The untold story.” I already knew a lot about genetically modified food, its many negative effects, and the damage it causes to human health and the environment. But I was shocked, saddened and angry to learn even more about the truth of what’s really happening.
The movie tells the story of our seeds.
It begins by quoting an article in National Geographic, which showed that up to 96 percent of the vegetable seeds available in 1903 have since disappeared. For example, out of 544 varieties of cabbage that were available then, only 25 remain today. Of the 46 varieties of asparagus that we had, we now have only one.
“Many of our seeds today are as endangered as a panda or polar bear.”
— Gary Paul Nabhan, naturalist and author
SEED follows a number of seed savers, farmers, scientists and many other people. It features interviews with Dr. Vandana Shiva and Dr. Jane Goodall. The filmmakers, Taggart Siegel and Jon Betz, did amazing work. Their previous documentaries include: “The Real Dirt on Farmer John,” (2005) and “Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us?” (2010).
The fact that we are losing our seeds means we’re losing our future. Unfortunately, our seeds are already challenged with environmental toxicity and climate change, plus of course genetic modifications and pesticides.
The documentary showed this beautiful Island of Kauai, and how so many people have faced severe health problems, including kids at Waimea School, because of pesticides being sprayed just next to the school. Most commonly used is the pesticide “Round-Up,” with its main ingredient glyphosate. The World Health Organization’s cancer research has said that the herbicide glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic to humans,” yet it is still widely used.
Suffering the effects of GMOs and the corporation’s control of our seeds is not just limited to the United States. For example in India, one of the world’s top agricultural producers, more than 270,000 farmers have committed suicide in the last 20 years because of the financial burdens put on them by the seed corporations.
Something has definitely gone wrong. I personally believe that we really don’t need any more research to see how dangerous glyphosate is. Just look around and see how many people, in the areas being sprayed, are suffering from allergies, asthma, cancer, Alzheimer’s and more.
People everywhere are starting to wake up and see the vital importance of seeds for our future. “March Against Monsanto” protests have rallied millions in more than 400 cities and 50 countries to the cause of seed freedom.
We need to buy organic, look for non-GMO labeling, and save our seeds. If we don’t get our own responsibility and do our job, we can not blame anyone.
Please, if you have the chance, then I highly recommend that you watch the SEED movie, and share it with your loved ones.
Find out more: http://www.seedthemovie.com/.
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Ayda Ersoy is a nutrition and fitness director at The Diet Doc Hawaii. She can be reached at DietDocHawaii.com, Ayda@DietDocHawaii.com or (808) 276-6892
