The Wolfpack Environment Student Association hosted a showing of the documentary The Idiot Cycle on campus Wednesday.
The film addressed the costs and benefits of genetically modified foods. These foods, often abbreviated GM foods, are grown from seeds produced by chemical production companies such as Monsanto.
Herbicides and pesticides are genetically embedded in seeds in order to make them to resistant to chemicals.
Proponents of GM foods argue the simplified growth process yields more food, and therefore feed a growing world population more easily. The films director, Emmanuelle Schick, currently in Paris, France, disagrees.
“What we perceive as economically enriching, such as synthetic chemicals, genetically modified foods, in the end, may not be health costs,” Schick said.
GM foods have been known to contain carcinogens.
“Being that cancer has become the number one killer worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, this is an issue that is facing young people, no matter what country,” Schick said.
Chemical companies that produce GM seeds often build factories near residential communities. Residents get cancer, have children with birth defects, and become infertile. They blame the chemical companies.
Taylor Hescock, a junior in environmental technology, said she would leave the area if a chemical plant were built.
“I would leave, but I would also do something about it for the future,” Hescock said. “I wouldn’t want to have my kids to stay in that environment.”
Farmers in the majority of Europe are forbidden from planting genetically modified seeds. There are currently no restrictions in the U.S. and Canada. GM foods are not labeled in the U.S.
However, Clay Fussell, a senior in environmental technology, said he believes the policy should be changed.
“I think that’s a crime,” Fussell said. “You should be informed about anything you buy in general. If I buy an apple in a grocery store, I want to know where it came from, and whether it was altered at all.”
According to the film, there are more lobbyists representing the chemical producing companies in the U.S. than there are members of Congress.
The companies financially back research of their own chemicals. The film’s director claims this is a “major conflict of interest.”
The Idiot Cycle takes its name from an ancient myth in which a king amasses a great pile of gold, according to Schick. The subjects of his kingdom revolt and find him huddled in a room with his treasure. He begs his subjects not to take anything.
Schick said the king acquired his fortune at the expense of others.
“It’s a little like the chemical companies who have amassed great wealth, at the expense of our health,” said Schick.
The film has been shown at universities in France, England, and Sweden. The film’s production company contacted the Wolfpack Environment Student Association in hopes of getting the film shown.
Sonum Nerurkar, co-president of the club and a junior in environmental technology, said the club is planning to show environmental documentaries on a monthly basis. There are currently 130 members, but Nerurkar said she hopes that number will increase.
“We want to show movies that appeal to everyone,” said Nerurkar.
The next club meeting will be held in Riddick Hall on Wednesday Feb. 9. All University students are invited to attend, according to Nerurkar.
