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thanks, here are specific harms, already caused, by GMOs. Info and Links...
maybe you have not yet learned of the negative realities of genetic
engineering. Already more than half the soy produced in the US is GE'ed, and about a third of the corn. This is shocking considering the facts below... (((this post may be reproduced without permission- please share the information widely) (all info here is also at http://www.geocities.com/holist2002/GMOharms.html ))) The two main foundations of GMO food promotion/support... that GMO foods are equivalent to conventional foods, and that there is no evidence of health harms.... are false... CONTENTS -Actual harms of GMO foods with references -GM is different than traditional plant breeding -Why GMO foods are (erroneously) not required to be tested for safety -How to Avoid GMO foods -Majority of all polled people want GMO foods labeled; want to know what is GM'ed, and want to be able to choose what to eat (GMO food is already labeled in the countries of 2 billion people; 30% of all people in the world) Harms and Differences The GMO lobby says that GM/GMO/genetically engineered foods are equivalent to conventional foods, ....and have not been known to be harmful to health. However, there are credible scientific findings that some GMO foods have *already* caused unexpected biological harm, and been found to be *not* equivalent. A few examples clearly make this point: Monsanto's GMO Round-Up Ready Soybean is a clear case: - Unexpected DNA in Monsanto's GMO Soy; confirmed by Monsanto http://ohioline.osu.edu/~ipm/trans/08_161.htm - Monsanto's own studies finds it's GMO soybeans have significant differences in fat, carbohydrates, and some fatty acids; 29% less choline compared to conventional soybeans Journal of Nutrition, March 1996 Los Angeles Times article - Monsanto's soybeans have 12-14% Less Phytoestrogens than normal soybeans Journal of Medicinal Food (Vol. 1, no.4, 1999) - Monsanto's soybeans have 27% more trypsin inhibitor, an allergen that inhibits protein digestion, and can retard growth University of New Mexico Toxins When a yeast was genetically engineered to increased fermentation there was an unexpected production of a metabolite (methyl-glyoxal) in toxic and mutagenic concentrations. (Inose, T. Murata, K. Int. J. Food Science Tech. 30: 141-146, 1995). Allergies When a gene from the Brazil Nut was inserted into a soybean it appeared that it unexpectedly caused strong allergic reactions in people allergic to nuts who never had any problems formerly in eating soy products. (Nordlee, J.A. et al. The New England Journal of Medicine 14: 688-728; 1996). Damage to Intestines Signs of damage to Mouse Intestines was caused by a potato genetically engineered to contain a gene from Bacillus Thuringiensis (which is also used with GMO corn). The authors concluded "Although mild changes are reported in the structural configuration of the ileum of mice fed on transgenic potatoes, nevertheless, thorough tests of these new types of genetically engineered crops must be made to avoid the risks before marketing." (Nagui H. Fares, Adel K. El-Sayed. Natural Toxins Volume 6, Issue 6, 1998. Pages: 219-233). And there are even harms in GMO plants that aren't used for food, but still show the unexpected and harmful realities of genetically modifying plants. GMO Tobacco plants unexpectedly produced a toxin, which does not exist in the natural tobacco plant. (Reddy SA, Thomas TL. Nature Biotechnology, vol 14, sid 639-642, May 1996). Finally, a very serious accident should be mentioned. Bacteria was genetically engineered to have it produce more of the amino acid tryptophan, to sell as a supplement. Very small amounts of highly toxic molecules appeared, which resulted in 37 people dying and 1500 contracting serious chronic disorders. It was confirmed that the tryptophan was the cause of the injuries and deaths. (Mayeno, AN et al Tibtech 12:364, 1994). the above links, and more information on the human deaths, are at: ( http://www.psrast.org/molbeng.htm) ------------------ GMO seed corporations own GMO seed- farmer and gardeners are not allowed to save seed. They legally have to buy the seed year after year http://www.cropchoice.com/leadstry.asp?recid=1279 Cross pollination between GMO crops and non-GMO crops can make all crops GMO, even if you don't them to be. "Buffer Zones" are an idea, but how do you buffer insects that may be carrying GMO pollen? Do we want the possibility of our plants being pollinated with pharmaceutical GMO pollen?! http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/corn/...es-000307.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Note that genetic engineering is different from the plant breeding which has been done for centuries. -Plant breeding is done by *breeding* different varieties of the same plant; cross-breeding. -Genetic engineering is the *artificial insertion* of foreign DNA into a plant, often the DNA is from organisms which could not be bred with the plant naturally, such as DNA from animals (such as fish DNA into tomatoes) or bacteria (as with Starlink corn). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- David Suzuki urges caution, testing, and labeling http://www.purefood.org/corp/davidsuzuki.cfm ..... Why are GM foods exempt from long-term safety testing which is required by law for new substances (US Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act)? Because they are erroneously judged to be equivalent to conventional foods. The FDA has stated that GM foods are equivalent to conventional foods, and are thus exempt from caution and long-term testing. The FDA has stated in their official policy statement of May, 1992: "The agency is not aware of any information showing that foods derived by these new methods differ from other foods in any meaningful or uniform way ...." (Federal Register vol. 57, No. 104 at 22991.) This is in conflict with the above findings on differences, and the FDA has not adjusted it's policy. Their statement was even in conflict with several of their internal scientists at the time it was made. -internal memos from the FDA suggesting GMO differences and caution http://www.bio-integrity.org/list.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- To Avoid GMO foods: Look for foods labeled "organic" or foods labeled "non-GMO" (or a similar label), and foods that aren't in the list below These are the only foods which are currently GM'ed (as of 5-30-02): Soy Corn Canola Cotton Flax Papaya Tomatoes Potatoes Squash Sugar Beet Radicchio ....and the oils of the above plants: cottonseed oil, soybean oil, canola oil, flaxseed oil Any other food is NOT GM'ed at this time (GM rice is developed but not yet sold to consumers). Also, any of the above foods which are labeled "organic" can contain only tiny amounts of GM material (The "organic" label requires the food to be non-GMO, but GM pollen does pollute some organic fields, and GM and non-GM foods are not always segregated completely) Why aren't GMO foods labeled? The vast majority of consumers want them to be labeled, in the US, EU, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Australia, etc etc Summary of polls in USA Note that as of July 1, 2002: "China now joins the 15 countries of the European Union, Australia, Japan, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, and many other countries in requiring compulsory labeling of GE food. The addition of China means that now over two billion people worldwide (30% of the population) are covered by GE labeling confirming the trend that compulsory labeling of GE food is becoming the standard international practise." Greenpeace So it is a very good question... why aren't they in the US, and other some other countries, when they are labeled for 30% of the world's population?... Considering that the majority of people want them to be labeled, and some GMO foods have been found to be different than regular foods, and even harmful, and aren't tested thoroughly for safety? There is currently a US bill being considered to require all GMO foods in the US to be labeled http://www.geocities.com/holist2002/GMOharms.html ) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- It is possible that some GM foods are equivalent to conventional foods. However we do know that some GM foods are not equivalent. (Long-term testing is necessary to make any valid conclusion that a specific GMO food is equivalent and/or safe). Some GM foods could be developed with better nutrition, but unless the food is safe for our health, it isn't of any value. Safety is the first consideration (and also consider if GMO foods are safe for the insects that pollinate food crops, like apples, oranges, and peanuts). Also hopefully the GMO foods will be labeled so people can choose to eat them or not. Related News Food manufacturers Getting Impatient of GMO technology as Consumers still don't want it http://www.geocities.com/holist2002/GMOharms.html here's a good site for all scientific and legal information on GMOs http://www.bio-integrity.org/ -- -The person who does a little to help, when they can't help completely is wiser than the person who does nothing to help, when they can't help completely -Live your life as you wish, while preserving the same ability for all others- JaJ -Perhaps we cannot prevent this world from being a world in which there is suffering. But we can lessen the number of those suffering (and the degree of their suffering). And if you do not help us do this, who will? -from Camus |
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