Food Evolution

Photo by Greg Lincoln

by Michelle Dewitt

There will be free admission to the film FOOD EVOLUTION at Suurvik Cinema on Sunday, May 20 at 11 a.m. The screening is made possible through a donor gift to Bethel Community Services Foundation.
FOOD EVOLUTION is a documentary that explores the controversy surrounding GMOs and food.
Dr. David Compton of Bethel had the opportunity to see the movie.
“I am very interested in science and critical thinking. I listen to many science podcasts to educate myself in areas not associate with medicine. I heard about the movie so I purchased, downloaded and watched it,” Compton said. “The movie is important because of the large amount of misinformation and outright lying that surrounds our food, agriculture and genetic technology. We all need accurate information to help us decide what is safe to eat and drink.”
FOOD EVOLUTION addresses questions such as: How do we ensure that our food supply is safe, and that everyone has enough to eat? How do we feed the world while also protecting the planet? Has genetic engineering increased or decreased pesticide use? Are GMO foods bad for your health? And, most importantly, what data, evidence and sources are we using to approach these important questions?
Compton stated, “We have a fantastic organic farm in Bethel that everyone should support. That does not mean that organic food is the only food you should eat. Is organic food safer or better for you? Should we be supporting genetics to improve our food supply? What should we worry about? Everyone should be concerned about safe and available food especially in Bethel where food is expensive and fresh fruits and vegetables are hard to get. Should we support new ways of farming and growing crops to improve our food in Bethel and around the world? Come watch the movie and learn something.”
Both pro and anti-GMO camps claim science is on their side. Food Evolution shows how misinformation, confusion and fear can overwhelm objective analysis.
Directed by Academy Award-nominated director Scott Hamilton Kennedy (The Garden, Fame High, OT: Our Town), and narrated by esteemed science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson, the film wrestles with the emotions and the science driving one of the most heated arguments of our time.
Enlisting experts, including farmers and scientists from around the world, this documentary separates the hype and emotion from the science and data to unravel the debate around food, and help audiences reach their own conclusions. In a debate in which all sides claim to be on the side of science, FOOD EVOLUTION brings a fresh perspective to one of the most critical issues facing global society today.
FOOD EVOLUTION was commissioned and funded by The Institute of Food Technologists, a non-profit scientific society of more than 17,000 members from around the world.
According to Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times: “This documentary may not change your mind, but it will make you consider what caused you to decide in the first place.”
For people who wish to learn more about the movie, further details are available at www.foodevolutionmovie.com, on Facebook at /FoodEvoMovie or on Twitter at @FoodEvoMovie.