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The Controversies of GMO
Over the last few years much debate has been held to discuss the benefits of Genetic Engineering and Genetic Modification to our foods. Both sides argue over the benefits and controversies. Many know the benefits, but seldom are the controversies of the issue publically and openly discussed.
My goal is not to discuss or persuade, but merely list the controversial issues and ask you the reader to think through them and decide; if we as a country are ready for these foods in our supermarkets.

~Safety
--Potential human health impacts, including allergens, transfer of antibiotic resistance markers, unknown effects
--Potential environmental impacts, including: unintended transfer of transgenes through cross-pollination, unknown effects on other organisms (e.g., soil microbes), and loss of flora and fauna biodiversity

~Access and Intellectual Property
--Domination of world food production by a few companies
--Increasing dependence on industrialized nations by developing countries
--Biopiracy, or foreign exploitation of natural resources

~Ethics
--Violation of natural organisms' intrinsic values
--Tampering with nature by mixing genes among species
--Objections to consuming animal genes in plants and vice versa
--Stress for animal

~Labeling
--Not mandatory in some countries (e.g., United States)
--Mixing GM crops with non-GM products confounds labeling attempts
~Society
--New advances may be skewed to interests of rich countries

State Associations and Contacts:

California - CALIFCA
State Contact: Jerome Verhasselt
Email: info@califa.org
Website: www.nicfa.org

Colorado - CIFNA
State Contact: Wade Wilson 970.739.0121
Email: info@califa.org
Website: www.nicfa.org

Georgia - GICFA
State Contact - Tim Young 770.842.8983
Email: tim@naturesharmonyfarm.com
Website: www.nicfa.org

Illinois - IIFCA
State Contact: Michael and Sharon Sabo 618.458.7745
Email: muttipie@htc.net
Website: www.nicfa.org

Indiana - IFCA
State Contact: Alan Yegerlehner 812.939.2813
Email: info@nicfa.org
Website: www.nicfa.org

Maryland - MICFA
State Contact: Liz Reitzig 301.860.0535
Email: liz@micfa.net
Website: www.micfa.net

Michigan - MIICFA
State Contact: Greg Niewendorp 231.536.7956
Email: miicfa@earthlink.net
Website: www.nicfa.org

Missouri - MOICFA
State Contact: Robert Irons 816.221.3719 x704
Email: robert@veirons.com
Website: www.moicfa.org

New York - NYICFA
State Contact: Gilbert Bernier 607.656.5449
Email: fullquiverfarm@earthlink.net
State Contact: Andrea Elliott 845.586.1721
Email: andreael@catskill.net
Website: www.nyicfa.org

North Carolina - NCICFA
State Contact: Ruth Ann Foster 336-286-3088
Email: info@nicfa.org
Website: www.nicfa.org

Ohio- OHICFA
State Contact: Ray Hill 937-376-0071
Email: arabnlvr@donet.com
Website: www.nicfa.org

Oregon - OCFA
State Contact: Larisa Sparrowhawk 540-538-2060
Email: Larisa@OregonCFA.org
Website: www.oregoncfa.org

Pennsylvania - PICFA
State Contact: Jonas Stoltzfus 717.536.3618
Email: jstoltz@pa.net
Website: www.picfa.org

South Carolina - SCICFA
State Contact: Mike Gessling 703.494.7119
Email: mistyridge@mistyridge-arabians.com
Website: www.nicfa.org

Utah - UTICFA
State Contact: Chris Mellen 435.436.9625
Email: chrism@cut.net
Website: www.picfa.org

Virginia - VICFA
State Contact: Kathryn Russell 434.760.5514
Email: info@vicfa.net
Website: www.vicfa.net

Wisconsin - WICFA
State Contact: C.J. Cordell 715.418.0424
Email: C_J_cordell@hotmail.com
Website: www.nicfa.org

Wyoming - Wyoming Ag Coalition (WyAgCo)
State Contact - Sue Wallis 307.685.8248
Email: sue.wallis@vcn.com
Website: www.wyoagcoalition.org