In the first half, writer/activist Barbara H. Peterson discussed the problematic health effects of GMO (genetically modified) foods on the general population. She first became aware of the severity of the issue in 2005, when she cured herself of a debilitating skin condition by identifying and eliminating GMO foods from her diet. Corn and soy are the main culprits, but as much as 85% of the food on grocers' shelves contains some amounts of GMOs, she reported. Further, she cited the issue of GMO contamination in organic foods sold in the US. The USDA has not set a threshold standard for this, as the European Union has done. She also spoke about the recent defeat of Prop 37 in California, an initiative that would have required GMO foods to be labeled as such. Monsanto and cohorts spent millions dishing out propaganda, and there may have been voter fraud involved in the election results, she commented.
Peterson presented details of the recently published independent Seralini peer-reviewed study testing GMO corn. The test rats fed the corn came down with massive tumors, organ failure, and premature death. These findings, she noted, have prompted the French government to call for an investigation into GMOs, and Russia to suspend imports of GMO corn. She also touched on the issue of synthetic engineering, and made suggestions on how to combat GMOs by growing your own food, or bartering with neighbors and small nearby farmers.
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In the latter half, expert in backyard food production, Marjory Wildcraft, discussed her efforts toward food sustainability and shared tips on how to grow your own foods. There is only a four-day food supply in grocery stores, and many foods are trucked in from a great distance, so it's imperative that people are prepared to get by on their own in the event of a crisis, she argued. Wildcraft recommended that people start small, with a 4 x 12.5 ft. gardening bed. If you're just getting started during the colder seasons, she suggested growing several herbs (like basil or chives) placed in pots in a window sill, which can make meals tastier, and impart gardening experience.
For outdoor growing, using compost is essential, as it enriches the soil, and makes produce more nutritious, she noted. As far as seeds, she said to look for open-pollinated, heirloom, or organic, and then after a harvest, the new seeds can be saved for the next planting. Wildcraft spoke about the importance of community, for trading and sharing resources, and she also advocated for the home butchering of animals, such as rabbits, as she believes a lot of meats sold in grocery stores are not healthy.
News segment guests: Capt. Kelly Sweeney, Catherine Austin Fitts