Genetic Engineering News List Dear Readers, The American Council On Science and Health seems to think we are alarmists.  I think the article below is a pitiful example of the knowledge of the 400 scientists that are a part of this organization founded by the father of the "green revolution" Norman Borlaug, Ph.D.  As a backgrounder to this statement they refer us to a document created in 2000, years before many of the now well known problems of this technology surfaced.   Well they can't really talk about these things in the present day - now that numerous studies have given alarmists a reason to be concerned.   Be ready for these old pseudo scientific beliefs to be trotted back out in the face of nine out of ten Americans wanting labeling.  If this is the best evidence that the pro GE folks can deliver, labeling is ours. Onward, Thomas  http://www.acsh.org/factsfears/newsID.3652/news_detail.asp Americam Council On Science and health May 25, 2012 Alarmists attack biotech in California - where else! Since their implementation in large-scale food production, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) - which have helped feed many of the world's starving populations - have gotten much flak from environmental groups and the organic industry. While it's safe to say that these activists have never been faced with the malnutrition or food shortages present in some countries that rely on GMOs, that has not deterred anti-biotech groups from attempting to ignite a nationwide campaign that calls on the FDA to mandate special labeling for these foods. The debate has reached a fever pitch in California, which will hold a vote in November to determine if the state will institute such labeling requirements. Almost all corn and soybeans grown in the U.S. are genetically modified, which has allowed for much greater crop yields, since these GM crops are resistant to many herbicides used for weed control. But anti-GMO activists are not concerned with increasing food production to help feed hungry nations - instead, they're worried that the food they're eating is somehow fundamentally different from the organic kind. These activists ignore the fact that even the FDA has stepped in to defend biotech agriculture: The agency has stated that GMO labeling is generally not necessary, since genetic modification does not alter food in any substantive way. Yet despite the science, which has long found that there are no risks associated with GM foods, anti-biotech activists in California, and their colleagues in the organic food industry, continue to push for labeling requirements. "These folks are trying to use politics to do what they can't accomplish at the supermarket - which is increase market share," says Cathleen Enright, an executive vice president at the Biotechnology Industry Organization. It's irresponsible to assert that GMOs pose any dangers to consumers or the environment, says ACSH's Dr. Gilbert Ross, since "billions of tons of crops have been produced using GMO technology and harvested over many years, and still not a single case of adverse health or environmental effects from such farming practices has been documented." "Actually," adds Dr. Kava, "we have been modifying the genes of food crops and animals for thousands of years; just not as efficiently as we're now able to do." For more information on GMOs, see the ACSH publication on Biotechnology and Food here. http://www.acsh.org/publications/pubID.289/pub_detail.asp Biotechnology and Food (Second Edition) By Alan McHughen, D.Phil. Posted: Friday, September 1, 2000   EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Modern biotechnology greatly benefits the quality and quantity of food, human and animal health, and the environment. Unfortunately, misinformation and misunderstandings about biotechnology in the popular media make it difficult for consumers to make informed assessments. This booklet explains the facts behind genetic modification (GM) and explores some of the issues surrounding the increasingly contentious debate over its use in food production. Traditional biotechnology has given us almost all of our foods, from corn and beef to bread and wine. In the 1970s, modern biotechnology (i.e. genetic modification, genetic engineering, recombinant DNA or rDNA, gene splicing, etc.) started giving us lifesaving drugs such as Humulin( (human insulin). In the past several years, the same technology has been applied to enhance agriculture and food production. Gene modification is a natural event. Many of our traditional foods are products of natural mutations or genetic recombinations. Nature is constantly mutating genes and even moving them from one species to another. With biotechnology, humans can direct genetic changes to benefit human endeavors. Agricultural scientists have already produced GM crops with: herbicide resistance, allowing farmers to use fewer chemicals and obtain weed-free crops; insect resistance to control insect pests feeding on the crops, while leaving non-pest insects alone; disease resistance to limit crop losses from epidemics; delayed ripening fruits that maintain their freshness longer; healthier vegetable oils, with lower saturated fat content. New products under development include: Agricultural Crops tolerant of environmental stresses such as drought, flooding, soil salinity, and frost; Crops with greater protection from insects, diseases and weeds. Consumer-oriented More consumer-oriented GM products will appear on our shelves, including Nutritionally enhanced foods; Lower calorie sugar (fructans) from GM sugar beets; Foods from which naturally occurring allergenic and antinutritional compounds have been eliminated. Animal Husbandry GM medicines and vaccines can be delivered to animals via their feed, saving the expense of sick animals and veterinary bills; Quick-growing game fish; Important and valuable chemicals might be produced in GM goats' milk, where they can be readily separated and purified. Other Products Biomaterials such as biodegradable plastics made from GM plant starch; GM plants to make diesel fuel; Cotton and linen modified to increase quality and durability; Textiles and fabrics with built in dyes. Assistance to developing nations. Rice, the major food staple throughout the developing world, has been nutritionally enhanced for increased iron and beta-carotene (provitamin A) content and increased yields. Cassava, another major food staple, can be protected from viral and other diseases through biotechnology. Inexpensive vitamins, minerals, medicines, and vaccines may soon be delivered to the ill and malnourished via GM fruit. Public concerns over the safety of GM remain an issue of debate. However, most scientists conversant with GM technology are supporters; they know GM products are not inherently hazardous. Three hundred million North American consumers have been eating several dozen GM foods grown on hundreds of millions of acres since 1994, with no documented adverse effects. Some widespread myths and misconceptions, which may cause consumer concern, include: GM potatoes being toxic to rats; GM soy becoming allergenic; GM corn killing butterflies. All of these are readily refuted by the facts in each case. FDA regulations already require answers to crucial safety questions: Does the food contain genes from known allergenic sources? Does it contain genes from toxic sources? Are the concentrations of natural toxic substances increased? Is the fat, cholesterol or other nutrient content changed? Does the food contain a substance that is new to the food supply? Like all foods, GM foods bear labels if they carry allergens or toxins, or if they are substantially altered in nutritional composition, so consumers will be able to identify such foods. Conclusion Current regulatory scrutiny, plus the excellent track record of GM food safety, gives us confidence that GM foods are rigorously scrutinized and that the technology is safe. Consumers and farmers can expect a wide variety of beneficial new products in the not-too-distant future to augment those currently on the market. The Genetic Engineering News is produced by Thomas Wittman and EcoFarm, and supported by a generous donation from the Newman's Own Foundation.  Please pass this vital information on.  If you would like to get on this list go to www.eco-farm.org and select Newsletters.