Activists in Columbus and four other Ohio cities will stage demonstrations on Saturday to protest the practices of agricultural giant Monsanto. The demonstrations will protest the use of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. Monsanto is one of the world’s largest producers. Organizer Hannah Daniels says the long-term health and environmental risks are still up for debate in the scientific community, and consumers need to know more.
Some in the scientific community say GMOs are safe, but the activists say they are not adequately monitored and have been linked to organ damage, birth defects, and increased risk of cancer.
Monsanto opposes labeling any products containing GMOs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says GMO crops were planted on half of the total American crop land last year. Other demonstrations will be held on six continents.