# Genetically modified food is safe to eat **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 9, 2019, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetically-modified-food-is-safe-to-eat/839953 "2019-09-09T21:12:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 75
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetically-modified-food-is-safe-to-eat/839953/75 "2019-09-18T04:11:12Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > To address one part of **thorny locust** ’s lengthy gallop (the comment suggesting all is well with use of copper (fungicides) by organic farmers since they’re supposed to “minimize” its application): > > Wise “minimal” use of a pesticide sounds great, but as a practical matter applications can be excessive in all types of agriculture, and harm ranging from toxicity to pest resistance can ensue.\* In the case of copper sulphate (approved for organic farming) long-term toxicity seems to be the major problem. > > _"Vineyard sprayers have experienced liver disease from exposure to it. It is corrosive to the skin and eyes and is absorbed through the skin. It causes reproductive problems in birds, hamsters and rats. It has been shown to induce heart disease in the offspring of pregnant hamsters that were exposed to it. It has caused endocrine tumors in chickens. Copper sulfate and similar fungicides have been poisonous to sheep and chickens on farms at normal application rates. … They are very toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates, such as crab, shrimp and oysters. There are cases where most animal life in soil, including large earthworms, have been eliminated by the extensive use of copper-containing fungicides in orchards. It is strongly bioaccumulated and is very persistent. Once a soil is contaminated with copper, there is no practical way to remove it.”_ > [@How are "organic" pesticides created](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-organic-pesticides-created/833039/10): > > copper and sulfur, which the article criticized organic farmers for using as pesticides, are both essential nutrients for crops (and humans), and may be applied as such by either conventional or organic farmers as soil amendments/fertilizers. > > [https://nrcca.cals.cornell.edu/soilFertilityCA/CA1/CA1\_print.html](https://nrcca.cals.cornell.edu/soilFertilityCA/CA1/CA1_print.html) > > There is such a thing as copper toxicity; like boron and other micronutrients, while you need it, you don’t need much of it, and too much is indeed a bad idea. Yes, too much copper is poisonous. I already said that. > [@Jackmannii](#): > > \*I’m unaware of the U.S.D.A. sending reps out to organic farms on a continuing basis to test soil and water accumulation of metal-based pesticides This would not generally be done by the USDA, though they’re legally entitled to. It would be done by the agency certifying the particular farm. Organic growers report to the certifying agency everything that’s being applied to every field, on what dates, and at what rates; and apply in advance to use restricted materials. Frequent or heavy applications of copper would call for soil testing. – considerably more to be said in response to this thread, but don’t know when I’ll have time to do it. Will try to get back to this later in the week, or maybe in bits and pieces on more than one day. It’s past midnight, it’s quit raining and weather report’s dry for the next several days, and I’ve got work to do. – Ruken, if you mean that you’re selling your honey and produce as organic but you’re not certified, and you’re in the USA, you may be in violation of the law. --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetically-modified-food-is-safe-to-eat/839953)._