Do you know what's in your rice?
©iStockphoto.com/Rob Belknap
When the world's largest rice producer and consumer of rice approves a "locally-developed strain of genetically-modified rice," thus paving the way for large-scale production in 2 to 3 years, it's news. Big news. Despite the stories that we often hear, from all across the globe, about individuals are making greener, smarter, choices about organic farming and locally grown sustenance, there are still some nebulous, often nefarious practices going on.
In the latest global wake-up call, the most populous nation on the planet (China's annual per capita consumption of rice is 200 to 400 pounds) announces its intention to genetically modify the food that currently feeds about half of the world's human population.
We can each make important daily choices, but it can discouraging when we witness how the power of governments and corporations can obscure our greenness in one fell swoop. The answer, as always, is more solidarity, more education, and much more sustained action.
