-Caveat Lector- Dave Hartley http://www.Asheville-Computer.com http://www.ioa.com/~davehart ....... Biotech News, by Richard Wolfson, PhD Reprinted with permission from the October 1999 issue of Alive: Canadian Journal of Health and Nutrition, 7436 Fraser Park Drive, Burnaby, BC V5J 5B9 Biotech Soybeans Deficient New research shows that genetically engineered (GE) soybeans may be less potent sources of phytoestrogens than their conventional precursors. The research, published in the Journal of Medicinal Food (Vol. 1, no. 4, 1999), reported an overall reduction in phytoestrogen levels of 12-14 percent in genetically altered soybeans, compared to non-GE varieties. Soy foods are recommended largely for their dietary phytoestrogen content. This research refutes claims that genetically engineered foods are 'substantially equivalent' to their non-GE counterparts. Genetically engineered herbicide-resistant soy is already on the market in Canada, unlabelled and mixed in with conventional varieties. Industry Claims Torpedoed New research by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that biotech crops do not produce higher yields or result in reduced pesticide use, as claimed by industry. American experts studied biotech soy, corn, and cotton across huge tracts of the U.S. farming belt, where both GE and non-GE varieties were being grown. The researchers found no increase in yields from GE crops in 12 of 18 areas. In some areas, conventional varieties produced yields 10 percent or more higher than comparable GE varieties. In 7 of 12 areas studied, farmers growing biotech varieties used at least the same amount of pesticide as those growing traditional crops. Farmers growing Roundup Ready (herbicide-resistant) soybeans used 2 to 5 times more herbicide per acre, compared to the other popular weed management systems with non-GE soybeans. The research shoots down arguments that Frankenstein foods could help stop hunger in the Third World, or are more environmentally friendly. Roundup Linked to Cancer A recent study published in the Journal of the American Cancer Society (March 15, 1999) showed that exposure to the herbicide glyphosate results in increased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer. Glyphosate, commonly known as Roundup, is the world's most widely used herbicide. Seventy-one percent of biotech crops planted in 1998 (including biotech soy, canola, and corn) were genetically engineered to be resistant to glyphosate or other herbicides. Herbicide resistant crops allow increased use of these toxic chemicals to kill weeds. Marks & Spencer First to go GE-Free Marks & Spencer, one of UK's largest food chains, announced that it has become the first major UK retailer to go completely genetically-engineered food free. From July 1, all M&S foods were produced without GE ingredients or derivatives. More than 5,000 ingredients made from soy and corn were checked and changes were made to 1,800 recipes to strip all products of GE ingredients or derivatives. FDA Ignored Warnings Records from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reveal that in approving genetically engineered foods, the agency ignored some of its own scientists. These people repeatedly cautioned against GE foods because of unexpected and untested toxins and allergens. For instance, Dr. Louis Priybl of the FDA Microbiology Group, stated "There is a profound difference between the types of unexpected effects from traditional breeding and genetic engineering which is just glanced over in this document." He added that several aspects of gene splicing "...may be more hazardous." Codex Fails to Approve Hormone At a recent Codex (the international food regulating body) meeting in Rome, governments failed to agree on an international standard on genetically engineered bovine growth hormone (BGH). BGH is widely used in USA, where it injected into cows to increase milk production. BGH is not allowed in Canada or EU due to concerns for both human and animal safety. Failure to agree on Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for BGH means that individual governments will maintain their freedom to decide whether to allow BGH in their countries. Consumers International applauded the decision not to approve BGH internationally as a victory for the health and safety of consumers. .......... Greenpeace and Council of Canadians Expose Food Industry Double Standards On Genetically Engineered Food Toronto, September 27 /CNW/ - Greenpeace and the Council of Canadians today called on the country's food retailers and producers to give Canadians the same environmental and health protection that Europeans receive and take genetically engineered (GE) foods off retail shelves. At a news conference in front of a Loblaws supermarket, the organizations released documents from ten international food companies who have taken genetically engineered ingredients out of their products in Europe, but refuse to do so in Canada. The companies include: Nestle, Kellogg's, Mars, Heinz, Cadbury, Kraft, Unilever, General Mills, Campbells, and Frito-Lay. Greenpeace campaigner Michael Khoo said: ``Food producers and retailers cannot justify this double standard. These letters show that it is possible to give the consumer GE-free food. If genetically engineered food is not fit for Europeans, it is not fit for Canadians either,'' he said. Responses gathered from three major Canadian food chains (Loblaws, Sobeys and Safeway) also revealed a refusal to provide consumers with GE-free choices. These also contrast with statements from Britain's top supermarket chains, Mark's & Spencer, Sainsbury's, Safeways', and Tesco which pride themselves on providing customers with GE-free food. The groups called on consumers to pressure Loblaws to remove GE products from ``President's Choice'' and ``No Name'' brand products, phase out GE from all other products in the store; ensure that all fresh produce remains GE-free and, in the meantime, label all GE products on the shelves. ``Genetically engineered foods have not been proven safe for human health and the environment. As the largest grocery chain in Canada, Loblaws has the obligation to take the lead, and take genetically engineered food off the shelf,'' said Jennifer Story, health protection campaigner for the Council of Canadians. The groups assembled grocery carts with a wide range of popular Canadian food brands that probably contain genetically engineered ingredients: processed foods made with soya bean by-products (lecithin), chips and cereals made from corn, and oils made from canola. According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, approximately 60-75% of all Canadian processed food contains GE ingredients. Both groups noted scientific concerns that the planting and consumption of genetically engineered foods has gone ahead with no long-term government testing for heath or environmental impacts. Elizabeth Abergel, a molecular biologist working on food regulatory issues at York University, said, ``The timelines necessary for proper assessment of environmental and human health risks are being compromised by a commercial desire to rush this to market. If a threat develops, we won't know until it's too late.'' For further information: Greenpeace: Mary MacNutt: 416-597-8408 or 271-8408 (cell) or Michael Khoo: 416-569-8408, Council of Canadians: Jennifer Story (cell in Toronto): 613-795-8685, John Urquhart (613) 233-2773 ext. 230, Elizabeth Abergel: 416-486-4763. Note to editors: Footage of genetically engineered crops and foods available. ......... Thanks to NLPWessex for posting this: CATTLE WON'T EAT GM GRAIN "The humans will eat this stuff, but the animals won't." --U.S. farmer, ACRES, USA Special Report 19 September 1999. After four months of retrieving anecdotes from Kansas to Wisconsin, I think its high time to sample the producer community more thoroughly to see how many stories there are out there. Tell us more about the hogs that wouldn't eat the ration when the GMO crops were included. About the farmer who said ' Well, if you want your cattle to go off their feed, just switch them out to a GMO silage.' About the farmer who said that his cattle broke through an old fence and ate down the non-GMO hybrids but wouldn't touch the Round-up ready corn, and as a matter of fact, "They had to walk through the GMOs to get to the Pioneer 3477 on the other side." About the cattleman who saw the weight-gain of his cattle fall off when he switched over to GMO sources. About the organic farmer with a terrible deer problem on his soybeans, and when he drives out at night there are forty of them mowing down his tofu beans while across the road there isn’t one doe eating on the Round-up Readies. About the raccoons romping by the dozen in the organic corn, while down the road there isn't one ear that's been touched in the Bt fields. Even the mice will move on down the line if given an alternative to these 'crops'. What is it that they know instinctively that most of us ignore? I have been travelling around with a bag of contaminated cob corn on the floor of my vehicle, and I have begun to think of it as if it was a bag of plutonium. " ** NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed for research and educational purposes only. ** DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
