Dear First Lady,
My name is Sam Anderson and I am sixteen years old. The reason why I am writing to you is because I am concerned about the effects of the recent deregulation of GMO alfalfa. I am always learning more and more about GMO crops. Sadly, what I learn is that GMO crops are not beneficial to people’s health or the environment. In fact, I learned that GMO crops cause unintended side effects that effect people’s health and lifestyle.
GMOs (Genetically Modified Organism) are organisms that have been injected with foreign DNA, like bacteria, viruses, and other animal DNA (even human!). Some are injected with "Round Up" (a pesticide). There are two kinds of plant GMOs, the poison drinkers and poison producers. The poison drinkers are not affected by pesticides like Round up. So when the pesticide is applied to the fields, only the weeds die, not the crops. The other kind, poison producers, produce a poison so when insects eat the plant, their insides explode and they die. When people eat GMO crops or anything containing GMO, the GMO foods cause mutations in the human DNA which eventually leads to allergies, toxins, and new diseases.
FDA scientists have been repeatedly ignored when they state that GMOs have potential to be harmful to humans and long term studies are needed. They say that GMOs have the potential to cause allergies, toxins, new diseases, and nutritional problems. In fact, when GMOs foods are fed to rats and other animals, they developed several intestinal problems, allergies, became sterile, died, suffered from multiple organ problems, and had small sick babies. Also, in the 1980’s, a GMO supplement pill killed 100 people and cause 5,000 to 10,000 people to be sick. (Institute for Responsible Technology, Jeffrey Smith)
Cows eat alfalfa and so if GMO alfalfa is deregulated, then cows will eat this toxic plant and have the plant’s toxins be imbedded in its muscle tissue which is eaten by the public. Since, GMO alfalfa is deregulated then our meat supply will be contaminated and lead to further health problems for the public.
GMOs also effect the environment. Cross-contamination has been a problem for a while and lead to toxins in the water, soil, and other plants. Since this GMOs alfalfa is deregulated, then it will lead to a new wave of cross contamination between GMO and non GMO crops.
Jeffrey Smith has worked hard to expose the GMO scandal and helped educate thousands of people. I highly encourage you to read his works and website, Institute for Responsible Technology. However, before you do that, please encourage your husband, President Obama, to stop this madness. Put all political and financial agendas aside and focus on the welfare of the public. Don’t allow the biotech companies to destroy our health and environment with their GMO crops. Think about how this will affect you children’s health and future. I know you support organic foods and healthy nutrition. This deregulation of a GMO crop will completely tear down this philosophy you care about. Non GMO foods are usually organic and by allowing a GMO crop to be deregulated, cross contamination will destroy you, your family’s, and the public’s chance to acquire healthy, non GMO, organic foods.
Please do the right thing and stop this abomination. I am 16 years old and I am fighting for my healthy bright future. Please, stand up for your children’s health and future. Stand up for the public’s health and future. Stand up for your health and future.
Sincerely,
Sam Anderson
