Month Without MonsantoIn a world dominated by agribusiness giant Monsanto, is it possible to live without genetically modified organisms?
That's just the question that April Dávila, a writer from Los Angeles, California is trying to answer through the month-long personal experiment she has dubbed, "Month Without Monsanto."
There has been a lot of information swirling around recently about the negative effect that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been shown to have on both the natural environment and human health.
Studies have linked GM corn consumption to organ damage and consumer alert organizations have questioned the fact that food manufactures in the United States still aren't required to declare the presence of GMOs on product labels.
After reading an article about Monsanto and the health complications caused by its genetically modified crops, April says she was 'compelled to swear off all things Monsanto for good. How hard could it be?'
A little research, however, proved that it would be quite difficult. As consumers, Dávila says on her website, "we are largely unaware that everything from last night’s steak, to the Cheez-Its on our desk owe their existence to Monsanto."
An accomplished writer and editor, Dávila has decided to chronicle her experience of navigating life completely Monsanto-free online, at MonthWithoutMonsanto.com. Currently on day four of her thirty-one day adventure, readers can follow along with her day to day experiences, and even read a few interesting guests posts, from experts like Sarah Kelly, co-director of the adapting to scarcity organization in Guadalajara.
Now, it may not seem like forcing oneself to eat only fresh, non GMO food for a while is that big of a sacrifice, but when you take a closer look, it's astounding just how intricately-tied one organization's interests can be to one's everyday existence.
A recent Twitter update from Dávila's account:
"Calling all chemists - Is there any way polyester or spandex owe their existance, in any way, to #Monsanto?"
The simplicity and courage of the experiment is perhaps summed up best by Dávila herself when she writes, "I’m not doing this as a political statement, at least, that’s not how I’m starting out. I am simply fascinated by the fact that one company can have such a profound grasp on the human species and I’m ultimately curious - if we decide, as individuals, we don’t want Monsanto products to be a part of our lives, is it even possible to live without them?"
Follow April Dávila's progress on Twitter or support her cause on Facebook.
If you want to learn more about the fight to eliminate GMOs from the food supply, check out the Millions Against Monsanto Campaign.
