This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Re "March Against Monsanto: Utah protesters rally against GMOs" (Tribune, May 26):
Sometimes I wonder about the protesters against genetically modified foods. What do they eat that has not been engineered? Look at the Old Testament. Even Jacob knew how to selectively breed sheep and goats to get the outcome he wanted (Genesis 30:25-43).
What do they eat? They must be hunter-gatherers, because practically everything sold in the grocery store has been genetically modified in some way. Certainly, wheat, rice and corn could not be grown without constant breeding to resist fungal diseases.
Plant their own gardens? Any seed with a variety name, like big boy tomatoes, has been bred for certain characteristics.
Milk? Is it from a Holstein? Antibiotics aside (that's another issue), these cows were bred (engineered) to be high-capacity milk producers. Eggs must be "free range," but be careful what variety of chicken you chase.
People against any genetically modified plant or animal must eat wild game or fish, wild nuts and berries and sego lily roots. Sounds like pioneer days.
I admire the pioneers, but I do not want to be one.
Ralph Paisley
Salt Lake City