Signs and GMO's???

What an education it is belonging to a Toastmaster's club! This past week we learned about "Signs, Signs, Signs" and "Genetically Modified Organisms" or what we all know as GMO's. Attending a Toastmasters club is certainly an education. Not only do we learn and gain skills in leadership and public speaking, but we are also enriched by the speeches that are given.

This week we learned the following:

Merle, our Master Gardener, taught us that a genetically modified organism is created in the lab, not a natural occurring organism. GMO's contain artificial gene units from viruses, bacteria, plants and animals.

We learned that the main goal in creating these organisms was to help better the environment, reduce uses of herbicides and insecticides, increase crop yields, and that they would be safe to eat and more nutritious.

Research has shown that the original indications of such claims fail to live up to their desired effects. Instead we are finding out that the GMO's can be toxic, allergenic or less nutritious than their natural counterparts, they disrupt the ecosystem, damage vulnerable wild plant and animal populations, increase chemical inputs over long term, deliver yields that are often worse than conventional crops, and cannot be recalled from the environment.

This was part one of a three part speech by Merle. I am already upset with the information he presented to us Monday. I will probably be up in arms by the time he is done. Urgh!

You see this picture of the sign suggesting we buy GMO free foods? Good message, right? Well our next speaker, Lou Rangel,  inspired and taught us about a few other signs, signs that are a benefit to all of us, whether we are from English speaking countries or countries of other languages. With all the ease of travel and the internet, our world has become a much smaller place. We need to learn to communicate and respect each other. He taught us that through the use of signs we can learn about one another, share and respect each other. He even told us that there is an international sign for marriage! I am not sure which sign he was referring to but I found a few on the internet that were amusing. Thank you cyber space!

There is this one

or this one

And my favorite is this one

We hope you can join us and enjoy the learning moments that make our lives richer and definitely more interesting!

From your Toastie Laina

Cottonwood Toastmasters meets every Monday 12:00 to 1:15 at the Cottonwood Village

 201 E Mingus Ave. Guests are welcome

 For more information call Laurie Rangel at 928-300-1130 or Laina Lloyd at 928-300-8638