A Month Without Monsanto – April Dávila Interview

The Month without Monsanto project begins today, where for the next month April Dávila will refrain from using any products tied to the multi-billion dollar bio -tech company Monsanto.  Monsanto is currently the largest supplier of genetically modified seeds in the world.[1] Currently 13.3 million farmers, representing 90% of farmers in developing countries are using GMO crops.[2] The most prevalent GMO crops being grown right now are soy, corn, canola, cotton, and potatoes.[3] Natural Foodlist got in touch with April to get the skinny on what the Month Without Monsanto is all about:

SJ: I’ve read over some of your blog posts, and really dig your voice.  Tell me a bit about your background?

DÁVILA: I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog. I have to say I came to blogging reluctantly, but I’m discovering it’s really fun. I actually started my career as a scientist, and received my BA in biology from Scripps College. After a few years as a researcher, working mostly in marine ecology, I decided I wanted to do more creative work. I’ve been a writer now for four years and I’m loving it. It allows me to follow my passions and to delve into topics that interest me. It also allows me to keep a flexible schedule, which is important to me now that I’m a mother.

SJ: There are a number of injustices being promulgated by, in your words, “the man”, what piqued your interest in Monsanto and its role in genetically modified organisms?

DÁVILA: I did say “the man,” didn’t I? This whole project started about six weeks ago when a friend of mine posted a link on her Facebook page  to an article in the Huffington Post. The piece discussed a study published by the International Journal of Biological Sciences, wherein scientists observed kidney and liver damage in rats that were fed certain strains of Monsanto’s genetically modified corn. Reading it, I remember thinking that maybe I didn’t want to eat Monsanto corn any more, and that I certainly didn’t want to feed it to my little girl. So I started to look into what products contained genetically modified organisms. I was shocked to learn that GMOs are in the majority of foods we, as Americans, consume every day.

Their ubiquity in the food we eat raised one very specific question in my head: Can I avoid genetically modified organisms completely?  Is it even possible? As Monsanto is the biggest producer of GMOs, I decided to focus on their crops (mostly corn, soy and cotton) and the Month Without Monsanto project was born.

While there is controversy over corporate practices – not just with Monsanto, but the world over – for the scope of this project, I am simply testing to see if it’s possible to live my life without GMOs. I am curious to know what choices exist for us as consumers.

SJ: Is there a particular outcome you are hoping for during the Month without Monsanto project? Is it to increase awareness or to get the wheels turning on a permanent movement against GMO’s?

DÁVILA: The one thing I hope comes out of the Month Without Monsanto project is that more people get engaged in the conversation. Many individuals are unaware of what’s going on with the nation’s food supply but everyone wants to eat good, healthy food. Every parent on the planet wants what’s best for his or her children. By informing ourselves and talking about what we learn with family and friends, we can demystify the term GMO and join the dialogue that is shaping the future of what we eat.

SJ: What are your plans and goals for the Month without Monsanto? If people want to get involved as well what should they be prepared to do this month?

DÁVILA: I’ve had a few people ask if they can join me in this little adventure. Of course! People should get involved on whatever level works for them. I hope that the blog will be a resource for information and a venue for discussion about the challenges of accepting or not accepting GMOs in our lives.

SJ: Any other information you would like our readers to know?

DÁVILA: A few days ago a woman posted a comment on my blog saying that she felt hopeless about the global political situation in regards to Monsanto and genetically modified foods, but there is always hope. We’re making change simply by learning as much as we can and sharing what we learn. We can rely on resources like the Natural Food List, and can vote with our dollars. Every penny we spend ends up somewhere – we exercise our power as consumers when we are mindful of what we buy.

SJ: Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions

DÁVILA: Thanks for your interest! I hope you and your readers will follow my adventure and join the conversation this March at http://www.monthwithoutmonsanto.com

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[1] GMO Giant Monsanto Loses Another Day in Court, Natural News.com, http://www.naturalnews.com/027352_Monsanto_GMO_Roundup.html

[2] Conversations About Plant Biotechnology, Monsanto.com, http://www.monsanto.com/biotech-gmo/asp/globalOutlook.asp

[3] Genetically Modified Foods- Harmful or Helpful, ProQuest, http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php