Agricultural News
Ron Hays Talks with Food Writer, Blogger, Mom AND GMO Proponent Julie Kelly
Sat, 02 Jan 2016 12:02:29 CST
Julie Kelly is a cooking instructor, food writer, blogger and a Mom who lives in the Chicago area. And, in 2015, she got passionate about GMOs. She writes in a blog article that recaps the 2015 GMO debate that she started the year not knowing much about GMOs- but as she has learned about the battle over the technology, she has become an "outspoken (and sometimes brash and unapologetic) advocate for genetic engineering while trying to uncover the motives and funders behind the anti-GMO movement." (Click here for that 2015 recap from the Genetic Literacy Website.)
Radio Oklahoma Ag Nework Farm Director Ron Hays talked with Mrs. Kelly about her desire to see technology being utilized in agriculture to produce a safer, more abundant supply of food for not just US consumers, but for a global population that is a lot closer to the edge of food insecurity that most Americans can ever imagine facing. (our picture of Julie comes from her blog posting right after the March Against Monsanto that was held this past May- you can see which side she was on during the protest)
Kelly explains her journey regarding the GMO issue- some of the postives that have happened in 2015 in the battle over GMOs and in her article mentioned above she makes reference to the misinformation of a year ending op-ed found in the New York Times from a celebrity chef who has made a key part of his reputation the vilifacation of GMOs, Tom Colicchio. She writes "So I find it somewhat amusing that 2015 wraps up with Colicchio's op-ed, which rehashes the same hollow arguments I've heard from the anti-GMO movement all year. No, Tom, GMO crops do not contribute to cancer and they haven't resulted in more use of toxic chemicals; and yes, they do encourage food security and new innovations that can lead to better nutrition if lobbyists like you would stop spreading misinformation."
In her conversation with Ron, Julie mentions the problems that Chipotle is having with their supply chain and says that while their anti GMO campaign is not directly tied into the current issues- it does give consumers a reason to take a second look at claims by the fast food chain that natural is safe and good- modern ag technology is evil and bad. Kelly says of Chipotle "they have been on an anti-GMO crusade for the last few years. Farmers out there probably know that Chipotle has really vilified conventional American agriculture in a way that has put a finger in the eye of millions of American farmers for no reason."
She adds that "I'm hoping that consumers- and especially Moms like me- will take a step back and take a closer look at some of these issues and not believe some of the misleading marketing tactics being used to scare them."
In their conversation, they talk about her boycott of Chipotle and Whole Foods because of their anti-GMO marketing, Congressional consideration of a national labeling bill(She has concerns) and what she sees for this battle in 2016.
Julie Kelly believes in this battle for technology- saying the nostalgic idea of the good old days makes no sense- "nothing is in it's original state- everything has been modified over time to great benefit to us."
Click on the LISTEN BAR below to hear their complete audio conversation.
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