/* Written 12:54 PM May 2, 1998 by [EMAIL PROTECTED] in web:twn.features */ /* ---------- "Biotech industry threatens organic" ---------- */ Content-type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit BIOTECH INDUSTRY THREATENS ORGANIC AGRICULTURE The writer observes that the biotechnology industry seems to control government regulators in Canada and the US. There is growing pressure from industry to have genetically engineered crops declared organic by government regulation. By Joe Cummins Genetic engineering is changing the genetic makeup of plant and animal crops in the laboratory. Genes from insects, animals or humans have been added to crop plants or human genes have been added to pigs and cattle. Contrary to the claims of biotechnology, genetic engineering is not the normal progress of crop breeding. Humans have not been mating with canola nor fish with tomatoes for centuries to my best knowledge. The danger in genetic engineering is that industry has 'convinced' government that the gene-tinkered crops are substantially equivalent to normal crops. For that reason the crops are not tested extensively to insure that they are safe. One genetically engineered product, tryptophan, has been associated with at least 70 deaths and crippled thousands. At least $1 billion has been paid in compensation for the disaster. Other health concerns include allergy and autoimmune diseases. The antibiotic resistance genes engineered in the crop plants contribute to the spread of antibiotic-tolerant disease bacteria. Some genes used as plant pesticides have been implicated in skin disease in farm and market workers and those crops caused cancer in laboratory animals. The crops are sold without labels so the only secure food at present is certified organic. Along with impacting on human health the crops have been found to spread genes to neighbouring crops and weeds and to promote rapid appearance of resistance in organic pesticides such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Gene-tinkered crops have been found to injure pollinating insects in some cases. They also promote the use of toxic herbicides. For example, the herbicide glufosinate (Basta or Liberty) caused birth defects in laboratory animals including brain and skeletal defects. In spite of those findings the herbicide is used very extensively both prior to planting (where it kills nearly everything green) and to finish pulses and canola. Liberty-ready canola is genetically engineered to tolerate high levels of the herbicide. It has been approved for use in Canada since last year. Food contaminated with glufosinate if eaten by women of child-bearing age is likely to produce birth defects in children. The effect cannot be detected using the science epidemiology because the genetically engineered crops are not labelled in the market and they are mixed with the general pool of crops. Such crops are marketed before their impacts have been thoroughly evaluated. There is a threat to organic agriculture from the aggressive methods of the biotechnology industry along with its apparent control of government regulators in Canada and the United States. In Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada not only regulates biotechnology but promotes it and takes millions in direct funds from industry for that support. There is growing pressure from industry to have genetically engineered crops declared organic by government regulation. Recently, the Canadian Minister of Health Hon. Alan Rock has begun to assemble a review of the bovine growth hormone prior to its approval for use in Canada. The information I was provided by Senator Whelan's office was that the panel was to be selected from the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons and the professional organisation for Veterinary Medicine. A panel of that type is industry-dominated and will ignore the input of organic agriculture and the family farmer. The Codex Alimentarius Commission of the United Nations is taking on a key role in setting standards for organic products, unfortunately that organisation is dominated by industry but with strong independent voices from the organic farmers in Australia and Europe. As a delegate to the Codex committee on food labelling I observed the power and manipulativeness of industry in that committee. It is that committee which will set the standards defining organic crops for international commerce. Under the trade arrangements that emerged in recent years Codex will set the standards that will have to be followed in Canada if crops are to be exported and the standards used in imported foods that compete with domestic organic crops. The clandestine introduction of genetically engineered products into organic agriculture has been a problem and will be a growing problem. For example, the Mycogen company introduced forms of the Bt toxin such as MVP II that is described as a patented encapsulated form of Bt (Cell Cap). The product is marketed extensively to control insects that damage berries and tree fruit in the northwest. The product is sold to organic farmers with no acknowledgement that the product consists of a bacterium, Psuedomonas flourescens, that is genetically engineered with a gene for the delta endotoxin of Bt variety kurstaki. There is no requirement that buyers, including organic farmers, be informed that materials are genetically engineered. However, the art of detecting genetically engineered crops and applied pesticides is advanced. It is based on the methods used in crime detection which are both rapid and inexpensive. Pesticide residues are also detected at very low levels using monoclonal antibody techniques that are both rapid and inexpensive. Interestingly, some US states have passed laws on behalf of chemical industry giants making labels saying not genetically engineered illegal. My recent experience with Canadian and US government agricultural bureaucrats and scientists is that they openly promote genetically engineered crops as organic crops. They also openly promote use of 'natural' pesticides in organic farming. However, their 'natural' is chemically synthesised improvements of natural products. The 'organic' industry should consider demanding agriculture research and regulation separate from the official government agencies that are in the pay of large chemical companies. This is a serious matter, I have seen the government agents pushing organic agriculture into conflict with the international perception of organic crops. We may very soon see a situation where government-sanctioned organic foods are sold in some stores while real organic foods are sold in others (it is likely that real organic foods will not be allowed to call themselves organic based on laws and regulations promoted by chemical industry lobbies). Things to do to save organic agriculture from the threat of biotechnology mainly consist of making organic visible. Make certain that a lobby is persistent and well informed. Try to make certain the press is aware of the concern. The CBC is very influential in Canada but growing to be a propaganda machine for government and big business. It is good to remind the CBC that real news exists. The organic industry should consider putting together a campaign on biotechnology. Individuals should make an impact on open-line talk shows and write letters to the editor. To your politicians demand participation on review panels and commissions and insure that those representing organic are strong and vocal. - Third World Network Features -ends- About the writer: Professor Joe Cummins is Professor Emeritus of Genetics at the University of Western Ontario. When reproducing this feature, please credit Third World Network Features and (if applicable) the cooperating magazine or agency involved in the article, and give the byline. Please send us cuttings. Third World Network is also accessible on the World-Wide Web. Please visit our web site at http://www.twnside.org.sg. For more information, please contact: Third World Network 228, Macalister Road, 10400 Penang, Malaysia. Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Tel: (+604)2293511,2293612 & 2293713; Fax: (+604)2298106 & 2264505 1739/98
