While the rest of the country braces for a government shut-down, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) quietly approved three new biotechnology innovations for deregulated sale in America: genetically-modified corn and canola produced by Monsanto.
According to APHIS, the corn and canola products were approved because there is no significant impact on human or environmental health.
The approval comes despite the fact that there are multiple scientific studies indicating that cultivation of GMO crops breeds pesticide-resistant bugs and links between consumption of GMOs and human health issues. Even more telling is that in 2012, sales of these plants were so low that Monsanto was forced to give them away to farmers. GM Watch reported that demand for GMO-free canola has been so high outside America that farmers just don’t want to risk contamination.
These factors apparently had no impact on APHIS’ decision. As such, the agency will no longer regulate the field-testing or movement of these three genetically-engineered plants, drastically increasing risk of contamination.
Instances of crop contamination have been increasing, with the latest case in Washington. Earlier this month, authorities opened an investigation into a crop of alfalfa that was rejected for export because of possibly GMO contamination.
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