Part 3/8:
The contrast between heirloom seeds and GMOs couldn’t be starker. GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, are seeds that have been genetically engineered to include specific traits. This can result in crops that are resistant to pests or diseases, but they also come with drawbacks, such as reduced biodiversity and potential health risks that remain under-researched.
One alarming consequence of the prevalence of GMOs is the contamination of non-GMO crops through processes like pollen drift. This raises concerns about genetic dilution and the implications for conventional farmers who attempt to save seeds for the next planting season, a practice often threatened by legal battles with large corporations like Monsanto.