A n i m a l W r i t e s © sm
The official ANIMAL
RIGHTS ONLINE newsletter
Publisher
~ EnglandGal@aol.com
Issue # 06/07/00
Editor
~ JJswans@aol.com
Journalists ~ PrkStRangr@aol.com
~ MRivera008@aol.com
~ SavingLife@aol.com
THE SIX ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE ARE:
1 ~ Farmageddon, Frankenfoods and the FDA:
The Dangers of Genetically Modified
Food
by sbest1@elp.rr.com
(Steve Best)
2 ~ Urgent: Homes Needed for 300 Cats in Indiana
from
gelaaltman@hotmail.com (Gela Altman)
3 ~ New Public Service Announcements Offer Humane
Tips
for Living With Coyotes
from
LCartLng@gvn.net (Lawrence Carter-Long)
4 ~ Website of Note from deb@netkin.com
5 ~ Poem: Little Red Hen by
Guila Manchester
6 ~ Quote to Remember by
Henry David Thoreau
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Farmaggedon, Frankenfoods, and the FDA:
The Dangers of Genetically Modified Food
by sbest1@elp.rr.com (Steve
Best)
"There is no justification for using millions of people as
guinea pigs for
a genetic experiment without even asking whether we want to
participate."
~ Benedikt Haerlin, Greenpeace
"The assumptions underlying the FDA's policy are so
out of line with
sound scientific thinking that they cannot form a reliable
basis for the
safety of our nation's food supply."
~ Dr. John Fagan
Ever wonder what it's like to be an experimental laboratory animal? Wonder no
more, because you -- like everyone else in the U.S. and millions more
throughout the world -- have been one for years, as the planet's food supply
has been massively infiltrated with genetically modified foods (GMFs). It
doesn't matter whether you are a carnivore, Muslim or Jew, or vegan, you have
already consumed an alarming quantity of Frankenfoods.
The floodgates to the genetic engineering of the world's food supply were
opened in 1992 when the FDA absurdly declared that GMFs are "substantially
equivalent" to conventional foods, even though "transgenic" species
-- the product of splicing the genes of onne organism into another -- are
unprecedented technological creations. The agency's own top scientists argued
this point and warned that genetic alteration may create unexpected toxins,
carcinogens, allergens, and anti-nutritive substances. But to protect corporate
over public interests, and to allow corporations to regulate themselves
("with informal FDA consultation only if significant safety or nutritional
concerns arise"), the FDA ignored the admonitions, suppressed the
documents (subsequently disclosed in a 1998 public interest law suit against
the agency), and began a campaign of lying to the American public and world at
large (for documentation see www.bio-integrity.org/).
Seizing the initiative, American transnational corporations like Monsanto and
Novartis began to engineer foods for specific characteristics (mainly to make
them resistant to herbicides and insects) and aggressively marketed these to
the world, using lies, deception, cajolement, and illegal tactics when
necessary. Although a massive global protest movement against GMFs has been
mounting for years and finally reached the shores of the soporific U.S in late
1999, the genetic revolution quite possibly has forever changed agricultural
methods.
Currently, 55% of soybeans, 35% of corn crops, 60% of processed foods, and
60-75% of nonorganic food in U.S. supermarkets are genetically modified. Four
dozen GMFs cultivated over 90 million acres of land turn up in a wide array of
items, from tofu to tortillas, from canola oil to corn chips, from potatoes to
protein powder, from breads to beer, and from syrups to salad dressings. And
none are labeled as genetically altered for, according to FDA, this would be
"alarmist," "impractical," and "confusing" to the
consumer since they declared GMFs safe. This violates their own policy which
requires that substances added to foods be identified and which prohibits
"false or misleading" labeling.
The biotech industries want us to believe that GMFs are a miracle cure for
problems such as world hunger when in reality they are trojan horses of profit
and power. Interestingly, as the first wave of innovation is running aground in
failures, law suits, protests, rejections, and crop burnings, a second wave of
GMFs are being developed in the form of "biopharming" or "edible
vaccines" which could prevent or cure diseases simply by eating
genetically engineered raw foods. Moreover, this development might prevent the
need to exploit animals in the new system of "pharming" which
genetically alters their bodies to produce drugs for human consumption. But
this new "medicine on a fork" likely will be impaled by the same
problems and dangers besetting first wave products.
Despite assurances from the government and Jolly Gene Giants that GMFs are
harmless, the fact is that gene-splicing is crude, inexact, and unpredictable
in its effects; that science has little clue as to how genes interact with one
another, especially when bizarre transgenic novelties are created; and
consequently that the Brave New Foods are risky. Transgenic crops and foods are
made using viruses, bacteria, insect and pig DNA, and other substances as
"vectors" that transport foreign genes into cells. Invariably,
antibiotic resistance marker (ARM) genes are used to determine if genes were
successfully spliced into the host organism, and some researchers warn that
ARMs will contribute to the growing worldwide problem of antibiotic resistance.
Although you may seem fine, no one knows the potential long-term effects of
GMFs on the human body; certainly, the government and biotech industries didn't
care enough to find out before they flung open the Pandora's box of gene
splicing. Rather than embrace the precautionary principle which says to take no
action until it is proven safe, rather than undertaking rigorous testing, and
rather than giving the consumer the choice of what to eat by labeling GMFs, the
U.S. government, its accomplices in Britain and elsewhere, and genetic
industries have rushed GMFs onto the marketplace in a mad dash for profit and
control of the global marketplace, stampeding sound science through
disinformation and powerful lobbying forces all along the way.
The inherent risks and unpredictability of genetic recombination already have
become manifest in a number of disturbing phenomena and studies. The first
indication that genetic engineering could bring not only harmful but lethal
results occurred in 1989, when a batch of the dietary supplement
L-tryptophan killed 37 Americans, sickened 5,000 with a potentially fatal blood
disorder, and permanently disabled 1,500 others. The problem was traced to a
Japanese company which used genetically engineered bacteria that unpredictably
caused molecules of the compound to bind in a novel and toxic manner.
Other uncertainties involve food allergies. Soybeans genetically crossed with
Brazil nuts (for a more complete protein) gave hives to human volunteers
allergic to the nuts. If the company testing the product, Pioneer Hi-Bred
International, had been irresponsible enough to market it (they withdrew it in
1996), they would enjoyed the blessings of the FDA. With this experiment,
however, the danger of serious allergic reactions to GMFs became vividly clear.
As scientist Dr. Mae-Wan Ho points out, "There is no known way to predict
the allergenic potential of [genetically engineered] foods."
Obviously, if labeling of ingredients in GMFs is not enforced, it is impossible
to identify allergens (8% of Americans have food allergies). In general, given
that biotechnology corporations use genes from viruses, bacteria, insects, and
animals, people have no concept of what they are consuming. This means, for
example, that vegetarians may be ingesting fish genes in their tomatoes. The
religious beliefs of Muslims and Jews who wish to avoid specific animal
products are routinely flouted. And those who eat pork spliced with human genes
(for maximal growth effects) are not only carnivores but also cannibals.
In May 1999, entomologist Dr. John Losey from Cornell University published a
shocking study in Nature. In a laboratory setting, he found that 44% of monarch
caterpillars died within four days when they consumed milkweed plants -- the
staple of their diet -- dusted with pollen from "Bt" corn genetically
engineered with a bacterium (Bacillus thuriniensis) to kill the European core
borer. Other butterflies were stunted in their growth, but those who consumed
regular crop pollen survived unharmed. What will be the fate of butterflies in
a world planted by Monsanto and Novartis? What will be the environmental
consequences of the genetic drift of Bt corn pollen (which could contaminate
not only milkweed plants but also "organic" crops)? What might be
happening to human beings who already are consuming a steady diet of Bt corn
crops? And why was this study done after the government approved the use of Bt
genes that were fused into a third of the U.S. corn crop?
In October 1999, Dr. Arpad Pusztai and Dr. Stanley Ewen published a more
disturbing report in Lancet. Their controversial study showed that over a
period of 110 days (equivalent to 10 years in human time), rats fed potatoes
genetically engineered to produce an insect-repelling chemical (a plant-derived
compound called the "snowdrop lectin") and using a common vector (the
Cauliflower Mosaic Viral Promoter [CaMv]), suffered damage to their vital
organs, immune system, and digestive tract, results which did not occur to rats
fed ordinary potatoes. The researchers concluded that the viruses used in the
gene-altering process made the potatoes toxic. Another study found that CaMv
"has the potential to reactivate dormant viruses or create new viruses in
all species to which it is transferred. This transgenic instability increases
the possibility of promotion of an inappropriate over-expression of genes to
the transferred species" which could lead, among other things, to cancer.
A publication in the December 1999 issue of Nature indicated that Bt toxins
were leaching into the soil through the plant's root systems and damaging or
destroying beneficial microorganisms while disrupting the entire soil ecology.
The paper documented that Bt binds with soil particles for up to 243 days and
remains toxic to soil insects for long periods of time. What could it be doing
to us?
Finally, in late May 2000, at the same time as 600 British farmers learned they
inadvertently planted oilseed rape contaminated with GM seed from Canada, and
Professor Hans-Hinrich Kaatz in Germany found that genetically modified rape
seed had jumped species barriers and was taken up into the DNA of honey bees,
Monsanto was forced to admit that its GMFs contained unexpected gene fragments,
undermining their claim they can effectively manage and monitor genetic
technologies.
Call me, if you like, an alarmist, technophobe, or bioluddite. Perhaps GMFs are
still at an early stage of development and, once the bugs are worked out (no
pun intended), will become wonderfoods that will be super-nutritious, cure
diseases, reduce the need for herbicides and pesticides, and save the planet
from starvation. So say the likes of Monsanto, the FDA, and Bill Clinton.
But logic, research, science, and a little political savvy lead me to reject
this surrealist utopia, and, increasingly, a whole planet full of people share
the fears and suspicions I have of government agencies such as the FDA, USDA,
EPA, the EU, and the WTO; the biotech industries; and mainstream science whose
"objectivity" is bought and paid for by Monsanto, Novartis, American
Cyanamid, and Dow (although, increasingly, concerned and responsible scientists
are loudly condemning GMFs and FDA policy).
Whatever exciting potential might exist in GMFs is overridden by the dangers of
manipulating genetic ecologies and the disastrous impact biotechnology already
is having on the environment, biodiversity, the world's farmers, and, perhaps
soon enough, human health. GMFs are carriers of allergens, viruses, toxins,
carcinogens, and increased pesticides, as new studies show they have reduced
nutritional value compared to conventional crops.
There should be an immediate moratorium on all genetic modification of foods
until we better understand this powerful technology. We need sound science,
more rigorous testing, and more accountability (including liability for any
damages caused by GMFs). Minimally, since consumers have the right to know what
they are eating, there should be exact labeling of all foods with genetically
modified ingredients. Since studies show over 90% of U.S. citizens wouldn't buy
GMFs if they had the choice, and countries around the world are rejecting U.S.
food imports, it's no mystery why they aren't labeled.
With ever-increasing protests against GMFs around the world, such as were part
of the dramatic "Battle in Seattle" in December 1999, we are now at a
crossroads where the future of the biotech revolution is uncertain. GMFs could
be pulled from the shelves, or they could advance irrevocably to the point of
total saturation of our food supply (the industry predicts 100% of our food
will be genetically engineered within 5-10 years). The fact that the biotech
industries are currently on the defensive -- in areas ranging from major
companies such as Frito-Lay, Gerber, and Heinz vowing not to use genetically
modified ingredients to investment firms pulling out of the food biotechnology field to farmers around the
world rejecting GMFs -- speaks volumes as to what consumer awareness and
citizen struggles can do, but the fight has only begun.
Until we are at least given a choice to eat "modified" or
"conventional" foods, I encourage extreme caution in selecting your
food options (such as they are). Since carnivores eat at the top of the food
chain, they consume the greatest amount of genetically modified substances, and
this is yet another reason to avoid meat. But in the Brave New World of GMFs,
being vegetarian or vegan is not enough (vegetarians beware of genetically
altered recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone [rBGH] in your dairy products!); one
also should assiduously avoid genetically altered ingredients.
First and foremost, eschew all processed foods -- including granola bars,
high-fructose corn syrup, and soy or rice-based "ice cream" -- as
they likely contain genetically engineered ingredients such as soy lecithin.
Second, eat organic food when possible as, at least so far, organic crops are
not genetically modified (although there is the problem of genetic
contamination and two years ago the USDA tried to allow genetically modified
ingredients and other impurities into "organic" foods until they were
clobbered by a quarter million angry consumer responses). Unlike some
pesticides, you can't wash gene-spliced viruses or bacteria out of your food.
Third, become educated and ask questions. Know which companies use genetically
engineered products, and if you're not sure, call them. Study internet sites
and various publications to keep current with rapidly changing events.
Good luck, friends. Eating with awareness and being healthy in a toxic world
has become all the harder.
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Urgent: Homes Needed
for 300 Cats in Indiana
I have been alerted about an emergency situation
in Highland, Indiana, that I would like you to share with your members:
Some 300 cats in a junk yard to be destroyed in less than 2 weeks. The
junk yard owner died. The widow and daughter sold the property and will
destroy cats
Betty Jarvis (219.923.6286) and a group called Strays in the Garden are trying
to rescue the cats. They need homes: foster homes for the moms and
kittens, especially. Please contact Betty if you can help.
This information came from Zoe Carson Alley Cat Allies at 202.667.3630
X108 (9 to 5 EST)
Source: gelaaltman@hotmail.com
(Gela Altman)
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New Public Service Announcements
Offer Humane Tips
For Living With Coyotes
from LCartLng@gvn.net (Lawrence
Carter-Long)
As suburbs grow, so do encounters with coyotes
and other wild animals. The Animal Protection Institute (API) is offering
Public Service Announcements and safety brochures with tips on how people can
avoid problems with coyotes, as a part of its HUMANE WAYS TO LIVE WITH WILDLIFE
campaign.
While incidents between coyotes and humans are rare, coyotes are increasingly
drawn to urban and suburban neighborhoods for two reasons: human encroachment
into native habitat and greater availability of food.
"Despite attempts to control coyotes using lethal methods, there are more
coyotes in the United States than ever before," says Dena Jones, API
program director. "Since most problems with coyotes are due to human
actions and behaviors, the situation is unlikely to change significantly by
targeting the animals. To prevent incidents, people need only to take a few
simple precautions."
API offers these tips for living with coyotes:
* Never feed or attempt to "tame" a coyote.
* Clear away bushes and dense weeds near your home where coyotes
can find cover and smaller animals to
feed on.
* If followed by a coyote, make loud noises and make yourself
look big.
If this fails, throw rocks in the coyote's
direction.
* To protect companion animals, especially cats and small dogs,
don't
let animals roam. Always use a leash
when walking your dog.
Bring animals and their food in at
night.
API has a variety of brochures and public service announcements available on
humane approaches to living with wildlife--including coyotes, deer, geese and
more general information. Free copies of these materials may be obtained by
calling 800-348-7387. Spokespersons for news shows, print articles or interview
programs are also available.
ABOUT US: Founded in 1968, the Animal Protection Institute is a national
nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for the humane treatment of
animals.
www.api4animals.org
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Calling All Vegans -
What's Your Story?
from Julie Rosenfield
(julie@veganstories.freeserve.co.uk)
Would you like to share your experience of
veganism with people around the world and see your name and true-life stories
in print? Then please join us in a very special project.
I am compiling a book with the working title Vegan Stories and I'm inviting
vegans everywhere to contribute their own true-life stories about veganism,
whether uplifting, amusing, happy, inspiring, sad or poignant. The book's aim
is to increase awareness of veganism and to be a celebration of the vegan
lifestyle and all things vegan!
I would also love to receive your original illustrations, photos, poems,
cartoons, and jokes too. Please spread the word and invite all your vegan friends
to join in this project too.
For more information, please visit the website at
http://www.veganstories.freeserve.co.uk
or e-mail julie@veganstories.freeserve.co.uk.
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Website
of Note
NetKin's Animal Companions
Forever Loved and Remembered
http://www.netkin.com/creatures/home.php3
This is a web site maintained for individuals who
have lost a beloved animal companion. Once there, you can create a free
Internet memorial to honor the memory of the animal that has died.
We want to encourage responsible human/animal interactions and hope to promote
the adoption and rescue of discarded animals. We hope to support the sentiments
of humanity and gentleness and to encourage the behaviors of compassion and
generosity toward all animals.
To that end, we are creating an international directory of animal caretakers so
that people can locate facilities in their geographic area that share our
concern for all life, and particularly those creatures who have been
"mis-used" by our own species.
Source: deb@netkin.com
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For Little Red
by Guila Manchester
Dear Lord, if there's a heaven
For Thy creatures,
Please make a special place
For Little Red.
He put up such a valiant fight
For living;
In spite of all,
His tiny foot still bled.
I hope I wasn't wrong
To try to help him.
I hope I didn't cause him
Added pain.
It seems as though
There has to be a reason.
His precious life
Should not have been in vain.
I'd like to try to be
A better person,
And work the harder
For Thy world, instead
Of wasting strength upon
The things I cannot change.
I'd like to do this much
For Little Red.
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Quote To Remember
"I
have no doubt that it is part of the destiny of the human race in its gradual
development to leave off the eating of animals."
-Henry David
Thoreau, Walden
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Susan Roghair - EnglandGal@aol.com
Animal Rights Online
P O Box 7053
Tampa, Fl 33673-7053
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/1395/
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