80-90% of all of the corn and soybeans grown in the U.S. now come from genetically-modified (GM) seeds produced by Monsanto. They are about to add alfalfa seeds to that lineup. The U.S. is the world’s largest producer of alfalfa, a grass-like plant used as animal feed, and alfalfa is the country’s fourth most valuable crop.
Food produced from GM seeds has been linked to infertility, low birth weights and increased infant mortality. Canada, as well as many countries in the European Union and worldwide, ban the sale of GM seeds. In addition to human health concerns, environmentalists worry about cross-pollination between GM plants and neighboring crops. They also are concerned about over-use of the company’s weedkiller, Roundup. The seeds have been genetically-modified to be resistant to this chemical so that the land containing the crops can be sprayed generously without killing the GM plants. The harsh chemical can pollute ground water, however, and lead to resistant “super-weeds”.
