Across the Atlantic, another fracas is brewing over genetically
modified foods. Yesterday protesters hit the streets in
Sacramento, Calif., to rally against GM technology, one day
before the start of a large international agricultural
conference that is bringing together agriculture ministers from
more than 100 countries and reps from biotechnology and
agribusiness corporations. Family farmers, chefs, anti-
globalization activists, and others donned butterfly wings, chef
hats, and tomato costumes and waved signs to make their point.
“We’re here to make a stand against genetically modified food
and agribusiness making a profit off us,” said Kate Randolph,
one of a contingent of Bay Area chefs who joined the
demonstration. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, who’s
playing host to visiting ministers, argues that GM technology
can help eliminate hunger. Critics charge that the U.S. is
trying to push GM crops on other nations to benefit large U.S.
companies. Protests are expected to continue today.