Summer 2008 Editorial

I listen to the news less and less these days but when I do I hear article after article talking about or related to nutrition and sustainable development. The latest and most recent concerns the second generation of GM crops which are to be nutritionally enhanced - The GM community is trying to grow food for nutrition!

We are now being asked to consider accepting crops that have been engineered to increase their content of certain nutrients. This, it is argued, will not only tackle degenerative disease but will also be more sustainable. For example, the omega 3 essential fatty acid helps lower cholesterol and ward off heart disease but it's only found in fish. Engineering a plant to contain omega 3 will help reduce the pressure on already dwindling supplies of fish stock and help decrease the incidence of heart disease. Brilliant - it's a convincing argument that's bound to appeal to many. Heart disease is the No I killer in the West.

Another creation is to enhance the level of flavonoids. This covers a range of micro-nutrients called anti-oxidants that are found to occur naturally in many vegetables. Research is currently underway to increase the production of these tiny nutrients in tomatoes. Apparently we now have the creation of a purple tomato. Again, it's another brilliant and clever piece of marketing because it is linked to the second biggest killer in the West - cancer. But will it ever work?

Despite the issues and campaigning against GM crops in Europe the pressure to accept them is relentless. According to the news on Radio 4 there are now 12 million farmers in 23 countries using GM crops. If we do not join in and help develop this new technology, it is argued, we will simply get left behind and become the poorer for it.

I can't believe the timing of me hearing about this latest development.

In a way it's perfect because it coincides with the completion of my final article on nutrition inspired by Sowing the Seed lectures delivered to the Acorn School a year ago. The aim of this was to understand what nutrition is. From the science of nutrition to spiritual science we have considered the different views and followed them through to the quality of food associated with each. In this concluding article I look at the impact our understanding has on the environment and ask which is more likely to be sustainable. This I believe is the only true test of whether our view of nutrition works or not.

To date many of the claims made to support GM crops have been shown to fail. Increased yields and reduction in the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides have not been delivered. Call me sceptical but whilst the aims of GM nutrition appear to be admirable I can't help thinking that what really lies behind it is economics. This connects to the idea of competing against nature which, I have argued, is creating the problems of degenerating health of both humans and the planet in the first place.

We are only a little charity but with big ideas of Moving Beyond Organic where our aim too - is to grow food for nutrition. It's like David and Goliath. In completing this series of articles I feel I have managed to lay down a platform from which to begin our argument that to grow food for nutrition involves learning how to cooperate with nature and with each other.

This has been the most challenging piece of writing I have ever had to do. But now I am done I hope others will help develop it. I have come to realise that because the subject matter includes a spiritual element which involves feelings and emotions the task of putting it into words, for me, is extremely difficult. I am sure others can do much better and 1 welcome your comments and contributions. I also warmly invite you to attend this year's AGM so we may discuss this face to face and transform thinking into action.

Matt Adams

The above is taken from the GGA quarterly News Journal. You can join GGA here