Dear Editor,
Many of us remember what it was like years ago when medical doctors initially advertised cigarettes saying they caused us no harm, then decades later told us that cigarettes do indeed cause lung cancer.
While the cigarette/cancer connection took a handful of decades to become scientific knowledge, today we can learn about these harmful connections much sooner.
The latest scientific research has proven that “the chemical-to-be-discussed” caused a reaction at the miniscule level of PARTS PER TRILLION … meaning that this chemical “caused breast cancer cell proliferation” after exposure to only the smallest amount. What is this chemical? It is glyphosate, the main chemical ingredient in the weed killer best known as Roundup™. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23756170)
The majority of all genetically modified (GMO) crops REQUIRE that they be sprayed with Round-up™ during their growing cycle. (These GMO crops have been genetically modified to be immune to the effects of this potent weed killer.) This means two things if GMO crops are permitted to be grown in Belize: 1) there will automatically be an increase in the usage of Roundup™, and 2) the now-proven scientific fact that more and more Belizean women may well be forced to endure and battle the devastating disease of breast cancer.
That is serious news. The growing of GMO crops means MORE breast cancer. This knowledge makes the approval of the growing of GMO crops in Belize a health hazard for all Belizean women. (By the way, men can get breast cancer, too.)
We know that glyphosate is already being used by many farmers and gardeners in Belize. It is hoped this new information will be recognized by those in the positions of chemical regulations within Belize as the justification needed to eliminate the use of glyphosate altogether.
It should also serve as yet another in the ever-growing list of scientifically-justified reasons why GOB needs to say NO to the growing of GMO crops in Belize.
Let there never be a time when human health must take the back seat to the management of our agricultural pest problems.
Sincerely,
Concerned members of BAGMO
Belizeans Against GMOs: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bagmo/