GENETIC ENGINEERING & THE DANGERS

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GENETIC ENGINEERING & THE DANGERS What is Genetic Engineering and GMOs http://www.vitamincottage.com/window.cfm? hl=www.vitamincottage.com/frontpage/gmoinfo.htm Genetic engineering (GE) is a laboratory technique used by scientists to change the DNA of living organisms. Essentially the molecular or cell biology of an organism is being altered by means not possible under natural conditions or processes. Some techniques used to alter molecular structure include, but are not limited to, cell fusion, gene deletion, gene doubling, the introduction of a foreign gene, and changing a genes position within the DNA. This gene manipulation creates what is called genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. Types of Agricultural Genetic Engineering Plants with Insect Resistance: These GE foods have been altered to produce a toxic protein that kills caterpillars, beetles, slugs, and other leaf-eating pests. Plants with Herbicide Resistance: Herbicide genes have been successfully inserted into several crops, including soy, corn, and cotton. If farmers plant crops engineered to resist weed-killing chemicals, herbicides can be sprayed directly on crops without concern. Plants Engineered for Better Shipping or Processing: Some qualities can be engineered into fruits and vegetables to make them ship better, decrease the rate of spoilage and maintain flavor through their long journey from harvest to the dinner table. Health Hazards of Genetic Engineering Increased pollution of food and water supplies – A majority of GE foods are focused on the development of plants that can tolerate larger amounts of herbicides. It is estimated this will triple the amount of herbicides used on crops as a result of the farmers knowing their crops can tolerate the herbicides, thus using them more liberally. This can also result in current chemicals being rendered ineffective because of overuse. Allergic reactions - Genetic engineering may transfer new and unidentified proteins from one food into another, triggering allergic reactions in susceptible people. New and higher levels of toxins - Many plants naturally produce a variety of compounds that are toxic to humans or alter food quality. Generally, these toxins are present at levels that do not cause problems, however genetic engineering may create new and much higher levels of these toxins. Deletion of important food elements - Genetic engineers may intentionally remove or inactivate a substance they consider undesirable in a food but actually may have essential qualities. Decreased Nutritional Value - Genetically modified foods may mislead consumers with counterfeit freshness. A healthy-looking, bright red tomato could be several weeks old and contain little nutritional value. Scientists also say foreign genes might alter the nutritional value of food in unpredictable ways. A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that concentrations of phytosterols (beneficial compounds thought to protect against heart disease and perhaps certain cancers) was lower in genetically modified soybeans than in traditional strains. Unsafe track record - In 1989, a form of the food supplement L- tryptophan was made by genetically engineered bacteria. This supplement produced toxic contaminants that resulted in 37 deaths, 1500 people becoming permanently disabled, and another 5000 becoming very ill. Recently it has been found that GE (Bt) corn produces a toxin that kills not only the intended pests but also monarch butterflies. The pollen from the Bt-corn represents a serious risk to populations of monarchs and possibly other butterflies. Unpredictable, permanent changes in the nature of our food - The genetic structure of plants and animals has been nourishing the human race for centuries. Now that the structure is being tampered with, genes from bacteria, viruses and insects, which have never been part of the human diet, are being spliced into our food. Cross-pollination - Foreign genes or toxins from genetically engineered plants can be carried by pollen, insects, wind or rain and flow into other crops or wild and weedy relatives. This can produce unpredicted and unknown species which may endanger wildlife and alter essential ecological relationships between plants and animals. Irreversible damage - Unlike chemical or nuclear contamination, gene pollution can never be cleaned up. New living organisms, bacteria and viruses will be released into the environment to reproduce, migrate and mutate. They will transfer their new characteristics to other organisms and can never be recalled or contained. The effects of genetic mistakes are irreversible and irretrievable. Genetically Engineered Foods The biotech companies have already planted millions of acres with genetically engineered crops. The FDA estimates that within the next few years 150 new genetically engineered foods will be approved for sale. It is estimated that 60-70% of the "convenience foods" on your grocery shelves contains some genetically engineered ingredients. The following is a list of the most common GE foods: Corn Potatoes Canola (rapeseed) Cotton Tomatoes Dairy Products: Many cows are being treated with rBGH (a genetically altered recombinant bovine growth hormone) to make them produce more milk. Animal Products: Because animal feed often contains genetically engineered organisms, those animal products or by-products will be affected. Inadequate Testing and Labeling Standards The FDA declares: "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…" Accordingly, the FDA allows genetically engineered foods to enter the market without requiring any testing. Since genetically engineered foods are sold unlabeled, there is no way to tell which tomatoes, potatoes, corn, etc. have been genetically engineered.You are probably eating a fair amount of these foods already. Without labels, our public health agencies will be unable to trace problems back to their source. Without long- term studies no one knows if these foods are safe! The health consequences will be discovered only by trial and error - through consumers. Organics - The only way for you to be sure that you are avoiding GMO's is to consume organic foods. The National Organic Standards will not permit genetic engineering in foods labeled organic. Opposition is Swelling in Other Parts of the World The largest supermarket chains, as well as some fast-food chains, in six European countries have promised to rid themselves of genetically altered products. Italy, Greece, France, Luxembourg and Denmark are blocking authorization of new genetic crops in fields and markets of European Union nations. US corn sales to Europe shrank from 70 million bushels in 1997 to just 3 million in 1998 mainly because a majority of our corn crops are now genetically altered. Once the Austrian government caught wind of the Monarch butterfly deaths it banned Bt-corn. The European Union refuses to buy U.S. beef because 90% of it comes from cattle given GE hormones. The British Medical Association has called for a ban on growing GE crops. The US and other countries that support GMOs have threatened to impose trading sanctions against countries that support mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods and/or have banned GMOs. How to Protect Yourself and Your Family Eat organic!Be informed of the current GE crops and keep up with new "discoveries." Keep your eye out for the Non-GMO seals that ensure that a food product does not contain GMO ingredients. Get involved; keep up with current advancements in decisions effecting genetic engineering. One of the largest organizations to be involved with is Mothers for Natural Law. Contact them on the web at www.safe-food.org, e-mail them at mothers, sign their petition by phone at 1-877-REAL-FOOD, or call at (515) 472- 2809 for more information. Express Yourself Call your legislators (Capitol switchboard: 888-449-3511) and tell them your views and encourage them to work towards requiring mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Consumer protection agency. Consumer information: 888-463-6332 5600 Fisher Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. www.fda.gov Additional Resources: The Unions of Concerned Scientists: www.ucsusa.org (phone number: 202-332-0900) Alliance for Biointegrity: www.bio-integrity.org Inter. Center for Toxicology Assessment: www.icta.org Mothers of Natural Law: www.safe-food.org Natural Law Party of the US: www.natural-law.org Environmental Defense Fund: www.edf.org Citizens for Health: www.citizens.org International Food Information Council: www.ificinfo.health.orgReferences: Hightower, Jim & Frazer, Phillip. 1999. What's for dinner? The Hightower Lowdown. Human, Kathy. 1999. Genetically-altered seeds raise fears. Boulder Camera. Boulder, Colorado. Lappe, Marc Ph.D. & Bailey Britt. 1998. Against the Grain. The Tides Center. Longman, Phillip. 1999.. The Curse of Frankenfood. U.S. News & World Report Business & Technology. Marshall, Elizabeth. 1999. High-Tech Harvest. A Look at Genetically Engineered Foods. Common Courage Press. Mothers for Natural Law: What are the Dangers? 1999. Iowa National Summit on the Hazards of Genetically Engineered Foods. Panelist Statements. 1999, Washington D.C. ________________ This website and our newsletter are intended to present information we feel is valuable to our readers. Information or articles are in no way to be used as prescription for any specific person or condition; consult a qualified health practitioner for advice. _________________JoAnn Guest mrsjoguest DietaryTipsForHBP http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/AIM.html