KingPanaceaOrPoison

=Panacea or Poison?= (2001) Global Science Productions

Central Argument/Narrative
Global demand for food has doubled in recent decades. In a race to feed the planet, processes to manipulate DNA have been discovered. Scientist claim these new genes will produce stronger and more disease-resistant crops. However, fears that genetically modified food may not be safe for human consumption or for the environment has caused protest.

Matrix of Sustainability Problems
The matrix of sustainability problems runs rampart in this film. A few examples are described below.

Monsanto told farmers that GM corn would have higher yield and use much less pesticides. Farmers buy into this because they value profit and possess a desire to use less chemicals. They know the history of over-chemical use and saw GM crops as a possible solution.

Using natural pesticides where they are otherwise unnatural is unwise. Pests build a tolerance similarly to the issue will the over use of antibiotics.

Plants are being used a renewable source for nonrenewable items (e.g. ethanol fuel). The root problem is high consumption.

The federal agencies charged with regulating GM crops have created too complex of a bureaucratic system. The USDA, FDA, and EPA are all responsible for different aspects, but it is all too easy for one to "pass the buck" onto another agency.

By controlling the seeds, harvest fees, research, pesticides, and patents, Monsanto has complete control of the process of growing a crop.

Because GM food is banned in the European Union, American crops have lost a large market, and the price has gone down.

Persuasive or Compelling
The first compelling scene was the clip from a 1950s commercial of a mother in confusion about all the ingredients on some processed food box. It ends with the mother giving up thinking, "What a complicated world we live in!"

The coverage of the starlink corn dilemma was persuasive and illustrated the extent to which the agricultural system is interconnected.

The strife of farmers plays a very persuasive and compelling role in this film. The farmers' protest for banning "ownership of life" was particularly moving. Genes from any plant can migrate up to miles through pollination; this threatens the work of organic farmers.

Environmental Education Value
The documentary does a good job of presenting both sides of the issue. Scientists, officials, and advocates from each viewpoint were represented.

All viewers should take away from this film that consumers have the most power when it comes to decisions about what they eat.

Points of Intervention
The Senate decided that living nature should not be patentable. Patent Office ignores decision. There is probably more behind this story.

Consumers should have the right to choose if they want to consumer GM foods. Labeling is a solution to this prblem.