Jamie

A web editor of ill repute, I've been working for Greenpeace since early 2006. Forests and GM are my bread and butter but have been known to moonlight for other campaigns. I also seem to be involved in research mobile technologies as well, but I'm not sure how that happened. Along with most other people in the UK office, I live in north-east London but the family seat is in the remote north-west of England.


Comments
ive been doing a little research
HUMAN HEALTH.
·Engineered crops might contaminate the food supply with drugs, Cross contamination- plants bioengineered to produce pharmaceuticals could may contaminate food crops
·Transgenes (GMO) transfer into the gut bacteria at high levels after just one meal. In studies on human consumption of Gm foods harmful effect were found on the gut lining. The same effect was found when animals were fed GM tomatoes.
· Food produced used GM technology contains a ‘new factor’ which cause allergic reaction in some people.
· EG> Genes from a brazil nut was introduced into soybeans (soy is found in many common foods) people with nut allergies were getting reactions from foods containing this soy.
· EG>In 1989 and 1990, a genetically engineered brand of a common dietary supplement, killed more than 30 Americans and permanently disabled or afflicted more than 1,500 with a fatal and painful blood disorder.
· Using genes from animals in plant foods may pose ethical, philosophical or religious problems; vegetarians and followers of religious dietary restrictions face the prospect of unwittingly eating vegetables and fruits that contains genetic material from animals including humans!!
· EG> eating traces of genetic material from pork problem for some religious groups. Also vegetarians.
· Antibiotic resistant may develop- bioengineers sometimes insert a marker gene (many marker genes are resistant to antibiotics, if taken up by the human gut microflora, effectiveness of antibiotics will be reduced and human infectious disease risk increased.
ENVIRONMENT
· “Biological pollutants” have the potential to be even more destructive than chemical pollutants. Because they are alive, GE products can reproduce, migrate and mutate. Once released it is virtually impossible to recall GE organisms.
· Cross breeding- between GM crops and surrounding vegetation, including weeds could cause weeds that are resistant to herbicides leading to water and soil contamination.
ANIMALS
· Some animals are genetically modified to mimic diseases will inevitably posses abnormalities resembling that disease
· Many procedures in making GM animals cause discomfort.
· Animal welfare could be adversely affected. For example, cows given more potent GM growth hormones could suffer from health problems related to growth or metabolism. The mistakes are born with painful deformities, crippled, blind and so on. These creations have no greater value to there creators than inventions. Currently 200 GE “freak animals” are awaiting patent approval from the federal government.
ECOSYSTEM
· Engineered fish may substantially alter native ecosystems, perhaps even driving wild populations to extinction.
· Introducing GM animals to the environment brings potential problems. Kill beneficial insects
· Pesticide resistant insects- GM crops produce a biopesticide toxin (Bt), which will lead to the development of Bt resistant insects.
ECONOMY
· New GM organisms could be patented so that life could become commercial property through patenting. Scientists who ‘discover’ genes and ways of manipulating them can patent not only genetic engineering techniques but also the very genes themselves. Possible monopolisation of the world food market by large multinational companies that control the distribution of GM seeds. Tenant farms will have to lease their plants and animals from biotech conglomerates and pay royalties on seeds and offspring. Millions of farmers and workers worldwide will lose their livelihoods.
· Organic foods are not genetically modified, foods certified as organic or biodynamic do not contain any GM. Organic farming should be encouraged and replace GM. Not only will we see less of the possible effects of GM I have talked about but Organic farming also..
· Reduce health risks (by not GM foods less pesticides are used) research has linked %90 of fungicides; %30 of all insecticides and %60 of all herbicides are linked to cancer.
· Respect our water sources- no use of polluting chemicals and nitrogen leaching, reduction in toxic farming runoff and pollutants that contaminate water, soil and air.
· Less loss of top soils
· Little or no death of insects, birds, critters and beneficial soil organisms.
· Less energy and water is used on organic farms.
Posted by: bethellen | October 28, 2007 4:45 AM