-Caveat Lector- August 25, 1999 WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Reuters [BR] via NewsEdge Corporation : A leading U.S. consumer group called Tuesday for the U.S. government to require labels on food products containing ingredients made from genetically modified crops. Consumers Union said it was making the recommendation after a survey published in the September issue of its Consumer Reports magazine found that many common food products contain genetically modified ingredients. Despite the group's recommendation, the article in Consumer Reports noted that "there is no evidence that genetically engineered foods on market are not safe to eat." "The U.S. requires labeling orange juice 'from concentrate' and vegetables as 'frozen,'" said Jean Halloran, director of the Consumer Policy Institute, a division of Consumers Union. "Ignoring 'genetically engineered' threatens to undermine public trust in a labeling system millions rely on every day." ================== Genetically engineered foods on US supermarket shelves August 25, 1999 NEW YORK, Reuters [HD] via NewsEdge Corporation : Only a third of Americans surveyed recently were aware that US supermarkets now carry a wide range of foods containing genetically engineered ingredients, according to the September issue of Consumer Reports magazine. Unlike Europe, the United States does not require labeling for genetically engineered foods and ingredients. And unlike Europeans, Americans generally do not appear to be concerned by the foods. This lack of concern may be justified -- Consumer Reports notes that there is no scientific evidence that casts doubt on the safety of genetically engineered foods. In genetic engineering, scientists add genetic material from one source -- such as a plant, animal, or virus -- to the DNA of another living organism. Some crops, such as corn, have been genetically engineered to resist pests and diseases. Proponents of genetically engineered crops argue that the products could create higher quality crops, cut down on the use of chemical herbicides and pesticides, and increase crop yields. But the technology has caused some scientists to worry about possible negative effects of this gene splicing on other plants and animals. Opponents -- spearheaded by environmentalists and organic farmers -- caution that some insects could become resistant to the natural pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis, which organic farmers use on their crops. In addition, some scientists have speculated that genetic engineering could potentially increase natural toxins or decrease nutrients in some foods. Among environmentalists' concerns are reports that genetically engineered corn might imperil the monarch butterfly and harm other beneficial insects. In their study, Consumer Reports' investigators purchased a variety of products from supermarkets this past winter and spring and found that many of them contained genetically engineered ingredients, although none of them were labeled as genetically engineered. Among the products that they found had genetically engineered ingredients were certain soy-based infant formulas, soy burger products, Ovaltine Malt powdered beverage mix, Bac-Os Bacon Flavor bits, Bravos Tortilla Chips Nacho Nacho!, Old El Paso 12 Taco Shells, and Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix. Consumer Reports also notes that genetically engineered crops are grown on more than one quarter of US cropland, according to recent industry estimates. More than 35% of all corn, 55% of all soybeans, and almost half of all cotton are now genetically engineered. "If US consumers want to avoid (genetically engineered) food, their only option is to buy organic products," according to a press release issued by the magazine. ........... Monsanto Is Trying To Move Out Of The Line Of Fire But Keeping Quiet Doesn't Mean That It's Backing Off St. Louis Post-Dispatch July 25, 1999 A cartoon in a British magazine plays on lyrics of an old song. A businessman says to a farmer: "You say tomato, I say Monsanto." Combining a new, low profile with an aggressive legal strategy, St. Louis-based [ Monsanto Co. ] hopes that its explosive dealings in Europe can avoid the lyrics that follow: "Let's call the whole thing off." The name Monsanto has become synonymous with genetic engineering across Europe even though it is just one of a half-dozen corporations investing in genetic engineering and acquiring seed companies. Stung by Europe's rejection of genetic engineering, Monsanto has orchestrated an about-face in its public relations strategy. A year ago, the company carried out a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign in Britain and France inviting a dialogue on genetic engineering. These days, seldom do you hear a peep from Monsanto. Instead, company spokespeople typically defer to trade associations and direct people to Web sites. "It doesn't do a lot of good to always be on the firing line," said one company official, referring to the company's old role of acting as a global emissary for genetic engineering. Meanwhile, Monsanto is fighting in court to keep protesters away from its genetic engineering test sites. Unlike in the United States, British laws permit the public to know the locations of field trials with genetically engineered crops. The company has experienced mixed results in court but won a legal skirmish this month when a British judge said it could appeal an earlier, unfavorable ruling. Monsanto's broader success rests less with the courts than with the European Union, which is considering applications to approve the company's Roundup Ready corn, cotton and delayed-ripening tomatoes. The 15-member European governing body has not approved a new gene- altered crop for 16 months. Winning approvals won't be easy in the present climate. Industry sources in Europe say Monsanto might improve its fortunes by taking several steps: * Softening its opposition to segregating genetically modified crops in the United States. * Ceasing for now its drive to commercialize bovine growth hormone in Europe. * Backing away conclusively from the so-called "Terminator," a genetic technology still on the drawing boards that would render the seeds of modified crops sterile. Ann Foster, Monsanto's director of regulatory affairs in Britain, said her company will "work to try to regain the trust of consumers. We have to answer some of the questions, particularly about the effects of our crops on biodiversity." ================= GUARDIAN (London) Wednesday August 25, 1999 GM investors told to sell their shares Paul Brown and John Vidal Europe's biggest bank has advised the world's largest investors to sell their shares in leading companies involved in the development of genetically modified organisms because consumers do not want to buy their products. In a report sent to several thousand of the world's large institutional investors, including British pension funds, Deutsche Bank says that "growing negative sentiment" is creating problems for the leading companies, including Monsanto and Novartis. "We note that Monsanto has spent more than $1.5m (#1m) to persuade English consumers of the rectitude of their position, but alas, to no avail. Monsanto is little match for Prince Charles, an anti-GMO advocate, when it comes to sensitivity for the English people's desires," says the report. "More broadly speaking, it appears the food companies, retailers, grain processors, and governments are sending a signal to the seed producers that 'we are not ready for GMOs'." Since the report was circulated to investors, shares in companies named have fallen against a rising trend in stock markets generally and the frenzy to takeover seed companies has stopped. In the six months to yesterday Monsanto's stocks had fallen 11%, and Delta & Pine, a seed company that owns the terminator gene, which Monsanto is taking over, has lost 18% of its value. The Deutsche Bank's Washington analysts, Frank Mitsch and Jennifer Mitchell, say it is nine months since they first voiced their concerns that the biotech industry was "going the way of the nuclear industry in this country, but we count ourselves surprised at how rapidly this forecast appears to be playing out. "Domestic concerns regarding ag-biotechnology are clearly on the rise. For the most part, though, it has not gotten the attention of the ordinary US citizen, but when it does - look out." Deutsche Bank's first research report, dated May 21 and entitled GMOs Are Dead, said: "We predict that GMOs, once perceived as a bull case for this sector, will now be perceived as a pariah. "The message is a scary one - increasingly, GMOs are, or in our opinion, becoming a liability to farmers," it adds. Non-GMO grains were already gaining a premium price which would, if the trend continued, far outweigh any economic benefit in growing GMOs. The latest report, published last month under the heading Ag Biotech: Thanks, But No Thanks, says: "GMOs are being demonised by their opponents. What food manufacturer will 'take a bullet' for GMO corn in the face of such controversy?" GM grains would have to be sold at a discount. "Farmers who planted (Monsanto's) Roundup Ready soya could end up regretting it." It could become an "earnings nightmare" for Pioneer Hi-Bred (a company due to be taken over by the chemicals giant DuPont) and for Monsanto which is buying Delta & Pine, a stock, the bank says, not worth holding on to. The concerns of European consumers are real, concludes the report. "European consumers have recently been through the mad cow crisis, the French Aids-tainted blood crisis, the Dutch pig plague crisis, the Belgium chicken dioxin crisis, the Belgian Coca-Cola crisis, etc. Therefore hearing from unsophisticated Americans that their fears are unfounded may not be the best way of proceeding." The report is a serious embarrassment to the Labour party because its pension fund has large investments in two leading GM companies, AstraZeneca and Novartis, both of which are reportedly considering selling their GM divisions after years of heavy investments but few returns. Following European uproar over the crops, there has been a significant official cooling in the US. The US government and the biotech industry are preparing for a consumer and media backlash and the agriculture secretary, Dan Glickman, has told companies not to take consumers for granted. The report coincides with growing official unease about claims made for GM crops. With the market for GM in Europe contracting as food processors turn their back on the products, Mr Glickman warned farmers they could be left with unwanted crops, and that small farmers could become "serfs on the land". Recent US government research has shown that GM crops of maize, soya and cotton do not automatically produce greater yields or lower use of pesticides. Sue Mayer of Genewatch said: "This shows the global impact of the concerns of pressure groups on this issue." ......... Dave Hartley http://www.Asheville-Computer.com http://www.ioa.com/~davehart DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. 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