Food Inc.

I chose to watch the movie Food Inc. this week and I cannot believe some of the information that I learned during this film.  We spoke in class on Wednesday about how some companies can "own" the crops that they are selling to the farmers and I think this was one of the most interesting things I took from the film.  When I say that they own the crops, what I mean is that even once the farmers have purchased the seeds and grown them they are still under ownership of the companies that have genetically modified them to be the type of seeds that they are.  But what I found the most interesting from this film is that even if the farmer chooses not to purchase a crop from a company, such as Monsanto, they are basically doomed because once their neighbors plant the crops and the pollen is spread, the non-purchasing farmers own crops are contaminated with the genetically modified Monsanto pollen and then those crops are considered property of Monsanto.  This can really affect the farmers because this is now considered stealing in a way and Monsanto can have them lose their farms, the farms they barely really own anyway.  

On another note, the film really brings into perspective how the food industry is all about money.  As most industries are anyway, however it is kind of scary that an industry that we cannot hide from or shun away has so much power and all they care about is getting more and more food out for higher prices.  This movie illustrates however, that we can try to change this.  We certainly cannot hide but we can try our best to be the change we want to see.  After seeing this film, it makes me realize that if something is so bothersome to me, which the food industry has certainly become, I need to do what I personally can to change it.  It may not seem like what one person does will make a difference however that is how change starts, one person standing up for what they believe and the rest will soon follow if it is something worthwhile enough, which I would say our health and safety is.