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The idea that GMOs, conventional produce and sugar are poison in the mouths of babes has created a whole new breed of sanctimommies and their entitled eater kids. These moms advocate for costly and complicated dietary choices because they insist that choosing only organic, non-GMO, “natural” foods will make all children healthier.
. . . the common theme seems to be the maternal version of what writer Bret Easton Ellis dubs “the sentimental narrative.” Every statement necessarily begins with a modest “I’m not an expert”confession before tearfully explaining that there is a motherly protective instinct at work here, and that instinct shouldn’t be bothered with facts. Now, I’m a mom too, and I can appreciate how frustrating it is when experts imply that a mother’s own experience doesn’t count. It’s frustrating to feel like you’re just a statistic. The problem develops when we trust anecdotal evidence and sentimental narratives without ever examining them with any degree of skepticism or critical thinking. Yes, Zen Honeycutt and Gwyneth Paltrow are mothers who oppose GMOs. But there are scientists and farmers who are mothers too. What about their experience?
Anti-GMO moms have cast themselves as the heroes of their own story. A recent strategy speech by anti-GMO activist Jeffrey Smith of the Institute for Responsible Technology stated quite blatantly that the anti-GMO movement needs these moms — particularly moms of kids with chronic conditions — in order to grow the movement.
. . . Anti-GMO moms are the heroes; Frankenfood is the villain.
Read full, original post: “Stop telling me I’m poisoning my kids”: Food crusaders, sancti-mommies and the rise of entitled eaters
