Agent Orange laying a deadly seed for the future of agriculture

Agent Orange laying a deadly seed for the future of agriculture

Carlson Koch, Staff Writer

Agent Orange sounded like a harmless gas to people, but similar to the atomic bomb it decimated the vegetation and impacted human health for many generations to come. The creation of this destructive chemical weapon can be deemed unnecessary and overall hurtful to the world.

Once infecting the population, the herbicide negatively affected everything exposed. For example, birth defects of Vietnamese and United States soldiers, some vegetation was projected to not grow back and people were forced out of their homes in Southern Vietnam from rural to urban areas.

Although the defoliant did aid in seeking out Vietcong soldiers who were fighting for the communist parts of Vietnam, much of the fighting turned out to be underground. Resulting in a “face-palm” for the army realizing they had ruined the once fertile round.

The soil of Vietnam where Agent Orange was sprayed at certain points may is not a habitable place for crops to grow or flourish well.  This is a significant problem, because most Vietnamese citizens grow their own food.  The GM crops and related herbicides that are used in some areas of the world were developed from Agent Orange ingredients.

Vietnam overcame the United States army and is believed to have won the war. Troops had little chances other than their advanced technology to withstand a fighting chance against the harsh conditions and drenching climate.

The United States includes many of the countries who have used this chemical weapon such as Brazil, Canada, Korea and New Zealand. Canada used Agent Orange for clearing plots of Crown Land in Ontario

Today, the defoliant has come back to America in horrifying ways. Derivatives of Agent Orange have been found in many processed foods that have led to genetically modified organisms which are placed into crops for produce.

These organisms are known as pesticides. Pesticides kill insects and insects sometimes infect crops and result in the product becoming no longer edible.  Although through time, insects and weeds adapt to the similar herbicide that is sprayed on crops but once used in Agent Orange.

Eventually, scientists believe that the strength of weeds will one day surpass and overrule the power that is injected in to GM’s. Leaving crops difficult to grow well because of what are called “super weeds”.

Once the weeds have become dominant reversing them cannot be done. Action needs to be taken now so future generations do not suffer from not being able to grow agriculture because their parents were lazy and desired money.

Most farmers buy seeds from Monsanto, which are already modified by the company, so the seeds just need to be planted and are ready for herbicide application.  Organic farmers use seeds that are certified organic and not infected with modified materials. Which in fact is much harder to nurture and raise than seeds without herbicides and pesticides.

To prevent this a simple resolution such as prohibiting GMO’s can be enforced. Although perks of them do include more crops for less work and a higher survival rate.  These do not outweigh the long run affects that are bound to come.

Monsanto and Dow Chemical are the prime creators of Agent Orange. Monsanto has used convincing reasons to persuade consumers that GM’s are necessary and will solve first world problems.  Due to the advertising and at first glance draws of GM’s, these altered crops have rapidly soared Monsanto and other providers to become rich.

All of this points to fact that it has become problematic to our community by affecting agriculture and everyone exposed to by the anti-foliage.