Beware of imported corn, soups & corn products. They are genetically modified.

January 27, 2007

Khaleej Times Online >> News >> THE U.A.E Genetically engineered corn can do you harmBy a staff reporter 26 January 2007 http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2007/January/theuae_January868.xml & section=theuae DUBAI — The corn chips that you munch on while watching your favourite TV show or movie might get you into trouble. For, it could well be contaminated and cause you serious health problems in the long run. Greenpeace International, a non-profit organisation working in over 40 countries against environmental degradation, has said that corn-based products imported from the US are "genetically engineered" (GE) and are harmful to human health. Greenpeace officials say many of these products, including some popular American brands of chips, some varieties of cornflake, cornmeal, cornfix, and cornflour etc. are "risky" for consumption as they are manufactured from GE maize. The US, say Greenpeace officials, is the largest producer of GE crops in the world. "In December last year we collected 35 corn-based products currently sold in supermarkets in Dubai, Qatar and Kuwait. When product testing was carried out by an accredited laboratory in Switzerland, 40 per cent of the samples tested positive for contamination, with genetically modified organisms," said Andi Fremueller, Project Coordinator of Greenpeace. Explained Arnaud Apoteker, another senior official of Greenpeace: "Genetic engineering allows scientists to insert genes from one

species into another in a way that cannot occur naturally. The most common genetically engineered trait in plants is engineering plants which do not die when sprayed with agricultural pesticides or poisons. It's the so-called herbicide resistance. These plants develop a pesticide of their own inside their cells for protection. These GE organisms can interbreed with natural organisms, thereby contaminating non-GE environments and future generations in an unforeseeable and uncontrollable way." And what can this contamination do? Greenpeace officials say it can lead to many ailments. "A long term test has never been done in this connection. But

it can lead to allergies and damage of the alimentary canal," they pointed out. Greenpeace had earlier found contaminated rice products in the Gulf countries. They were contaminated with unauthorised GE rice variety. These products, too, were imported from the US. Following this, some supermarkets had decided to take these rice products off their shelves and asked for an explanation from the importing company. Apparently, they have not received any explanations yet. Talking about the solution to the problem, Greenpeace officials say the government should start the system of labelling of products. "There is no legislative control in here to

regulate the GE food. However, Saudi Arabia is strict on this. Labelling is a must here. We have talked twice to the food safety department and they are aware of the situation. In fact, the supermarkets can very well take the initiative and ask for a guideline from the government," said Freimueller. Officials of the Dubai Municipality refused to comment on the issue. According to sources, they are aware of the matter. "GE food is very popular in the US. Regular intake can lead to a lot of problems. Moreover, the GE corn is a cheaper," said an official. "When it comes to understanding disease process and the true nature of what a real healing process is, modern medicine sadly lingers in ignorance. The pathetic thing is that this ignorance is promoted, fed and maintained by the profit motive. I realize that modern medicine is a business and not a healing art. Health and healing is bad for business." - Comment on a medical forum.

Finding fabulous fares is fun.Let FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel bargains.