http://www.sierraclub.org/biotech/factsheet.asp
Genetically Engineered Food:
Opening Pandora's Box
What is genetic engineering?
Genetic engineering is a radical technology involving the manipulation of
genes. Scientists can transfer genes from one species to another totally
unrelated species. For example, genes from an animal can be transferred to a
plant, to make a new life form.
This technology allows scientists to bypass the natural barriers which
protect the genetic integrity of species. Genetic engineering goes far
beyond conventional breeding and hybridization.
What is being gene-spliced into foods?
Genes from bacteria (including antibiotic resistance), viruses, insects,
nuts, fish, and animals are presently in common foods or in the pipeline.
Presently, 2/3 of processed foods are made with a genetically engineered
organism (GEO).
How will my health be affected by genetically engineered food?
There is no requirement for long term testing and therefore much is unknown.
Plants are complex and introducing new genes may result in unanticipated
changes. New toxins and allergens, changes in nutritional benefits, or
spread of antibiotic resistance may occur.
Studies on genetically engineered soybeans showed a change in the normal
level of phytoestrogens. Lab animals fed transgenic potatoes developed
damage to their vital organs. Studies suggest that milk from cows treated
with the genetically engineered (recombinant) bovine growth hormone (r-BGH)
may promote cancers of the breast, colon, and prostate.
How can I choose to avoid eating genetically engineered foods (GEFs)?
No laws exist to label GEFs, so there is no right-to-know or freedom of
choice. No foods grown organically have been genetically engineered.
Purchasing organic food is the only way to avoid consuming GEFs.
What are the ecological consequences?
Species have been evolving over millions of years. The ecological impact
from the spread of genetic contamination is largely unknown. Pollen can be
carried by wind and bees over a range of distances. Farm to farm spread of
transgenes (genetically engineered genes) can be widespread.
Transgenes can spread to wild relatives and these genes can become
established in nature. Genes conferring resistance to weedkillers are
becoming "promiscuous" and spreading to surrounding weeds, making those
weeds invulnerable to some herbicides. Pest resistance can also spread into
nature. The resulting plants might have the ability to outcompete native
species in the environment and destroy natural biological systems.
Many crops are engineered with the Bt toxin, in order to resist infestation
from insects. Yet root exudates from these plants release the toxin into the
soil, where it retains its activity long after its release. This stimulates
major changes in soil biota that could affect nutrient cycling processes and
reduce soil fertility.
The Bt toxin is also lethal to nontarget organisms, such as Monarch
butterflies, lacewings and ladybird beetles. Lacewings and ladybug beetles
play an important role in maintaining the equilibrium of insect populations.
But the issue is broader than whether Bt toxin produced by genetically
modified crops imperils Monarch butterflies. The real issue is that a
strategy to establish expression of an insecticidal compound in large-scale
crop monocultures and thus expose a homogeneous subecosystem continuously to
the toxin can cause irreparable damage to natural habitats, forever.
How might organic farming be affected?
The entire future of organic farming could be threatened. Pollen can
transfer genetically engineered genes into previously organic crops. It is
also is expected that Bt, the natural insecticide used in organic farming,
will loose its effectiveness.
Are genetically engineered foods needed to feed the world?
No. Malnutrition does not have to do with lack of food in the world or the
capacity to grow it. People go hungry when they donít have land on which to
grow food or the money to buy it. Genetically engineering food crops merely
concentrates power in too few hands and replaces traditional crops and
agricultural knowledge.
Also, huge amounts of land are used to grow crops to feed factory farmed
animals. Reduced consumption of animal products would allow more land to be
available to grow crops to feed people rather than inhumanely treated
animals.
How are livestock affected by genetic engineering?
A genetically engineered bovine growth hormone (r-BGH) is being administered
to some cows to produce more milk, which leads to sickness and suffering in
treated cows. Feed containing genetically engineered products may lead to
other problems.
What is the "Terminator" technology?
This technology (expected within the next few years) makes seeds sterile,
which is a global threat to the food supply and violates farmers' rights to
save seeds.
Are there further concerns about genetic engineering and nature?
GEOs are patented (owned and controlled) by huge corporations. We believe
that the genetic code, which has evolved over billions of years, should
remain the shared, common heritage of us all. As trees and other plant life,
fish and other animals, and insects and microbes are genetically engineered
for short-term profit, the fundamental blueprints of the natural world are
changed forever.
More attention needs to be given to ethical and societal values and the
rights of indigenous people. Public input is urgently needed.
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Take Action:
Citizens throughout the world are asking for a moratorium on transgenic
foods and a ban on the patenting of life forms. There is need for mandatory
labeling. Legislators need to hear our concerns.
* Vote three times a day with your dollar. Purchase food grown
organically and locally (when possible).
* Contact producers (most have toll-free numbers); tell them you will not
purchase their products if they come from a genetically engineered source.
* Start genetic engineering committees within your own locale. We can
help!
Contact [log in to unmask] or write Laurel Hopwood at 2459 Queenston
Rd., Cleveland, OH 44118
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Join Sierra Club's moratorium campaign!
Sierra Club is targeting Kraft, a subsidiary of Philip Morris. Kraft is the
largest packaged food company in the US, producing over 7,000 products.
Contact Kraft. Sample letter below.
either
(1) Write: Betsy Holden, CEO
Kraft Foods, Inc.
3 Lakes Drive, Northfield IL 60093.
(2) Call 1-800-847-1997 or
(3) E-mail Michael Mudd, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs at
[log in to unmask]
Talking/writing points:
For our health and the environment, Iím asking you to move to genetically
engineered (GE) free production. Transgenic crops, crops which have been
genetically manipulated with viral, bacterial, and animal genes, pose
environmental risks and I believe shouldnít be in our food supply until
better tested and clearly labeled. Dairy products made with milk from r-BGH
treated cows are banned in many countries as possibly contributing to
cancer.
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Sign on to Sierra Club's STATEMENT ON GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOODS
Foods produced from or containing transgenic ingredients are currently on
our grocers' shelves, without full safety assessment, mandatory labeling,
and public debate. Given the absence of regulatory oversight, the Sierra
Club is calling on our members and all concerned people to demand a
moratorium on the release of genetically engineered organisms (GEOs) into
the environment.
Genetically engineered (GE) crops, which have been altered with viral,
bacterial, and animal genes, pose significant risks to life forms and to the
earth's ecosystems. The present lack of testing jeopardizes universal access
to safe food, potentially putting at risk present and future vulnerable
populations, such as young children. GE crops should not be in our food
supply until sufficiently tested and clearly labeled.
Nonorganic dairy products are likely to include milk from cows injected with
the genetically engineered (recombinant) bovine growth hormone (r-BGH),
which has been banned in many countries because of possible risks to
consumers and adverse consequences to the health and welfare of cows. Given
the lack of regulatory oversight, dairy products should not contain milk
from herds injected with r-BGH.
We are calling for a strong public response, demanding that the nation's
largest packaged food company, Kraft (a subsidiary of Philip Morris),
remove GE ingredients from all of its 7,000 food and beverage products."
To sign on, contact [log in to unmask]
Written by Sierra Club's Genetic Engineering Committee, Jan/2001.
(May be reproduced if no changes are made)
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For more information:
http://www.purefood.org
http://www.psrast.org/indexeng.htm
http://www.members.tripod.com/~ngin/
http://www.edmonds-institute.org
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PDF version of this page for printing:
This one page flier has been formatted to print on one sheet of 8 1Ž2 x 11
paper, double sided, in the landscape direction, and be folded into thirds.
It makes a nice handout, and we hope you'll find it useful at your events.
We recommend you download or view the PDF version if you have Acrobat
Reader.
Or write Biotech Task Force Chair Laurel Hopwood at [log in to unmask]
to request a copier-ready pamphlet by regular mail. Include your full name
and mailing address.
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