The release of ANY genetically engineered (GE) crops for planting outside of
containments was a gross example of our government acting in the interest of
corporations rather than in the interest of the public and the environment.
It may have been the intention of the corporations that developed and
promoted genetically engineered crops that cross pollination would transmit
GE genes (transgenes) to all varieties of a given crop species, thus
rendering GE-free crop production impossible. Let's hope the situation has
not deteriorated to that point already.
Tom
--------------------------------
----- Original Message -----
From: "globalfarmcrisis" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2001 11:17 AM
Subject: StarLink protein found in other crops


> globalfarmcrisis ([log in to unmask])    Posted: 03/29/2001  By
[log in to unmask]
> ============================================================
>
>
>
> Thursday, Mar. 29, 2001
>
>
> StarLink protein found in other crops
> BY ART HOVEY Lincoln Journal Star
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> ----
> The StarLink circle remains unbroken.
> Genetically modified StarLink corn that was supposed to be kept out of
> human food channels has already been linked to taco shells, corn chips and
> other common grocery store purchases. Now its telltale protein, still not
> ruled out as a cause of allergy attacks, is showing up in Nebraska-grown
> sweet corn and popcorn.
>
> Larry Prentice, quality-control manager for the Nebraska Crop Improvement
> Association in Lincoln, confirms "some contamination showing up from
> StarLink . . . in nonconventional field corn. It's showing up in things
> like popcorn and sweet corn."
>
> Frank Morrison of Clearwater just found out Monday from a Swedish popcorn
> buyer that genetically modified yellow corn owned by another farmer in the
> Clearwater area may have cross-pollinated with Morrison Farms popcorn
acres.
>
> Morrison - no relation to the former governor and Lincoln resident of the
> same name - said Tuesday that he has not had any samples test positive for
> StarLink so far, and he's reasonably confident that more testing would
show
> the latest contamination problem was not StarLink either.
>
> "We will know more in a few days as to what this comes back as exactly."
>
> But there are also dozens of other corn varieties not approved for sale in
> Europe that have been endowed with insect resistance, pesticide tolerance
> or some other special trait in U.S. laboratory settings. And Morrison said
> worries about windblown pollen from genetically modified corn - also known
> as GMOs, or genetically modified organisms - cross-pollinating with corn
> meant for human use are "driving us crazy."
>
> "We do everything we can to keep popcorn away from GMO fields," Morrison
> said. "But there are also other people who grow for us, and you just never
> know how strong the winds will blow or from what direction."
>
> Fellow popcorn producer Dave Vetter of Grain Place Foods near Aurora fears
> that wind can push GMO pollen three-quarters of a mile or more into crops
> meant for GMO-averse buyers and for human consumption overseas.
>
> His crops, too, have been StarLink-free so far, and his chances for
staying
> that way have improved, because North Carolina-based Aventis CropScience
> has voluntarily pulled the product off the market. But he has not been
free
> of other types of GMO contamination.
>
> "We have been making a special effort on that front for the last three
> years. We failed last year, and we had definite cross-pollination."
>
> Even when he avoids such mishaps, Vetter must pay to test his product so
he
> can assure buyers it is GMO-free. In one case he spent $1,500 on testing
> for a $4,000 sale.
>
> "There's no future in that," he said.
>
> Vegetable grower John Ellis of Libby Creek Farms near York said he can't
> afford to do GMO testing on the few acres of sweet corn he grows for sale
> to customers at Lincoln's Farmers Market and to annual subscription
buyers.
>
> Added Ellis: "I'm concerned about seeds being left in the field even from
> last year's production that come up and volunteer and produce this year.
So
> we could have StarLink pollen in the growing system yet for years to
come."
> Art Hovey can be reached at [log in to unmask] or 473-7241.
>
>
> Top
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> ----
>
> Copyright © 2001, Lincoln Journal Star. All rights reserved.
> This content may not be archived or used for commercial purposes without
> written permission from the Lincoln Journal Star.
> 926 P Street Lincoln NE 68508 402 475-4200
> [log in to unmask]
>

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