Ronnie Cummins

Ronnie Cummins is national director of the BioDemocracy Campaign (formerly the Campaign for Food Safety), a grassroots organization that promotes organic food and opposes genetic engineering in agriculture. In the following viewpoint, Cummins argues that genetic engineering of crops can result in foods that are toxic, carcinogenic, and allergenic. She warns that widespread planting of genetically engineered crops could cause unexpected harm to the environment; as crops are engineered to be resistant to weeds, insects, and viruses, evolution will drive these pests to become stronger and more dangerous. She concludes by calling for a worldwide moratorium on genetic engineering in agriculture.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to the author, how did genetic engineering result in the deaths of thirty-seven Americans in 1989?
2. What percentage of crops planted in 1998 does the author say...