Protesters march against genetically modified foods in Ann Arbor

Hundreds of people marched through the streets of Ann Arbor Saturday to protest the use of genetically modified foods. The protest, dubbed the March Against Monsanto began on the University of Michigan Diag at 1 p.m. and ended at Hanover Square Park on Packard Street.

Monsanto is a $ billion St. Louis, Mo.-based agriculture technology company that sells, among other things, genetically modified seeds for farming. It says its products pose no risk to humans.

People of all ages, including children, were among the protesters, many of whom carried signs with messages like "My family's food is not your experiment," and "Do you know what you are eating?" One little girl wore a sign around her neck stating, "I am not a science experiment."

"I want my kids to be able to eat the food they grow from seeds that can reproduce themselves," said Rebecca Laduca from Ann Arbor, who marched with her husband and their young son who got a lift on his dad's back.

Some protesters called for labeling of genetically modified foods, so that consumers can decide whether to eat it or not.

"We need transparency," said Ann Arbor resident Erin Gelderman. "It's always labeled if something is gluten-free or peanut-free. Why can't they tell us if there are genetically engineered foods in a product?"

The U.S. Senate voted this past Thursday against an amendment to the farm bill that would have let states decide whether to require the labeling of genetically modified organisms.

Many scientists say genetically modified foods pose no risk to human health. "GM foods currently available on the international market have passed risk assessments and are not likely to present risks for human health," the World Health Organization says on its website. "In addition, no effects on human health have been shown as a result of the consumption of such foods by the general population in the countries where they have been approved."

Monsanto also says its genetically modified products are safe."Food derived from authorized genetically-modified (GM) crops is as safe as conventional (non-GM-derived) food," the company states on its website.

Saturday was an international day of protests that included marches in 10 Michigan cities, and 330 marches in more than 40 countries. Kryssi Jones organized the march in Ann Arbor and said the primary goals were to educate people about genetically modified foods and tell them what they can do.

Cale Stoker and his friend Paul Hensler came to Ann Arbor from Adrian to join the protest march.

"I'm carrying this sign to get attention," said Stoker, whose sign included the words, "Grow food not lawns."

"My uncle is a farmer, and I don't want to see him negatively affected by GMOs," said Hensler.

Lisa Carolin is a freelance reporter for AnnArbor.com. Contact the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.