Editor:
Re: the recent letter to the editor by Andrew Merritt, “Organic foods need labelling, too; Oct. 28 Tribune,” concerning pesticides in organic foods:
I agree. Pesticides licensed for use in organic farming must be naturally occurring. Since they are natural, testing and labeling is not required. Pyrethrum, used in organic farming, is obtained from chrysanthemums.
Scientists isolate the chemicals by which some plants resist certain pests and manufactures them commercially.
There is no actual difference between naturally occurring pesticides and manufactured ones.
One of the traits that genetic modifying has introduced in some plants is a natural resistance to certain insects or diseases so that no added pesticides are needed.
For a more detailed discussion of the goals and achievements of GMO, visit the website www.knowgmothemovie.com and open the gray window.
Margie Kaufman
Soda Creek