Mission Statement:To EDUCATE / To PROMOTE / To INFLUENCE!
GMO part II
Dr. Arpad Pusztai on genetically modified foods
In 1999, front-page headline stories in the British press revealed Rowett Institute scientist Dr. Arpad Pusztai's explosive research findings that genetically engineered potatoes, spliced with DNA from the snowdrop plant and a commonly used viral promoter, the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (CaMv), are poisonous to mammals. Genetically engineered-snowdrop potatoes, found to be significantly different in chemical composition from regular potatoes, damaged the vital organs and immune systems of lab rats which were fed the genetically engineered potatoes.
Most alarming of all, damage to the rats' stomach linings - apparently a severe viral infection - most likely was caused by the CaMv viral promoter, a promoter spliced into nearly all genetically engineered foods and crops.
In August 1998, Dr. Pusztai appeared on the British television program 'The World in Action' to report the findings of his study. In an attempt to appease the resulting public furor, Rowett Institute director Philip James (who had approved Dr. Pusztai's television appearance) said the research didn't exist. He fired Dr. Pusztai, broke up his research team, seized the data, and halted 6 other similar projects.
It later became known that Monsanto, a leading U.S. biotech firm, had given the Rowett Institute a $224,000 grant prior to Dr. Pusztai's interview and subsequent firing.
Evidence emerged which supports the legitimacy of Dr. Pusztai's research. The research that James claimed did not exist showed up during an internal audit. Later, 'Lancet', the prestigious British medical journal, published a peer-reviewed paper which Dr. Pusztai had co-authored supporting the research.
Prince Charles began to question the safety of genetically engineered foods on his website and became allies with Dr. Pusztai. Charles wrote an article in the 'Daily Mail' expressing concerns over the lack of safety research on genetically engineered foods.
The U.S. media has not covered the disturbing public health questions raised by Dr. Arpad Pusztai's research into genetically engineered potatoes. Genetic engineering continues to receive a clean bill of health by United States' regulatory agencies despite the fact that no independent, government-supported research has been or is being conducted into the effects of genetically engineered foods on mammals .
This is in large part due to the fact that the biotech industry has a sophisticated public relations apparatus in place which has so far successfully been able to spin the industry's line that genetically altered food is absolutely safe. To better understand how public relations firms shape the public's awareness and beliefs, read the "Why you believe what you believe" page.
Perhaps the most important event in the last few years was the contamination of the food supply with the unapproved genetically engineered StarLink corn. The corn had been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for consumption by animals but not humans, because of concerns that it may cause allergic reactions.
The StarLink discovery by a coalition of advocacy groups has resulted in approximately 300 food products being recalled, mass litigation within the agriculture community, and drops in exports to key markets. StarLink has also raised questions about the United States' regulatory system, and at the end of 2000, several bills in Congress were proposing major changes in the way U.S. agencies regulate these crops.
Monsanto's recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone
Over 70 million acres of genetically engineered crops are presently under cultivation in the United States, while up to 500,000 dairy cows are being injected regularly with Monsanto's recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone, known as "rBGH".
In 1994, the Food and Drug Administration approved the sale of Monsanto's controversial genetically engineered recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) - injected into dairy cows to force them to produce more milk - even though scientists warned that significantly higher levels (500% or more) of a potent hormone, Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF-1), in the milk and dairy products of injected cows, could pose serious hazards for human prostate, breast, and colon cancer.
A number of studies have shown that humans with elevated levels of IGF-1 in their bodies are much more likely to get cancer. In addition, the U.S. Congressional watchdog agency, the GAO, told the Food and Drug Administration not to approve rBGH, arguing that increased antibiotic residues in the milk of rBGH-injected cows (resulting from higher rates of udder infections requiring antibiotic treatment) posed an unacceptable risk for public health.
In 1998, never-before disclosed Monsanto/FDA documents were released by government scientists in Canada, showing damage to laboratory rats fed dosages of rBGH. Significant infiltration of rBGH into the prostate of the rats as well as thyroid cysts indicated potential cancer hazards from the drug. Subsequently the government of Canada banned rBGH in early 1999. The European Union has had a ban in place since 1994.
Primarily because of scientific concerns that it is a cancer hazard and likely to cause increased antibiotic residues in milk, rBGH is banned in every industrialized country except in the United States.
Genetically modified foods and your health
I believe it would be wise to avoid genetically engineered foods if at all possible. There may be nothing wrong with them, but it would seem the better side of prudence to limit your exposure to them. They were not designed with your health in mind.
To see what foods you eat which might contain genetically engineered foods, visit the following site:
http://www.truefoodnow.org/shoppinglist.html
You will be amazed by how many genetically modified foods YOU consume.
In 1999, front-page headline stories in the British press revealed Rowett Institute scientist Dr. Arpad Pusztai's explosive research findings that genetically engineered potatoes, spliced with DNA from the snowdrop plant and a commonly used viral promoter, the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (CaMv), are poisonous to mammals. Genetically engineered-snowdrop potatoes, found to be significantly different in chemical composition from regular potatoes, damaged the vital organs and immune systems of lab rats which were fed the genetically engineered potatoes.
Most alarming of all, damage to the rats' stomach linings - apparently a severe viral infection - most likely was caused by the CaMv viral promoter, a promoter spliced into nearly all genetically engineered foods and crops.
In August 1998, Dr. Pusztai appeared on the British television program 'The World in Action' to report the findings of his study. In an attempt to appease the resulting public furor, Rowett Institute director Philip James (who had approved Dr. Pusztai's television appearance) said the research didn't exist. He fired Dr. Pusztai, broke up his research team, seized the data, and halted 6 other similar projects.
It later became known that Monsanto, a leading U.S. biotech firm, had given the Rowett Institute a $224,000 grant prior to Dr. Pusztai's interview and subsequent firing.
Evidence emerged which supports the legitimacy of Dr. Pusztai's research. The research that James claimed did not exist showed up during an internal audit. Later, 'Lancet', the prestigious British medical journal, published a peer-reviewed paper which Dr. Pusztai had co-authored supporting the research.
Prince Charles began to question the safety of genetically engineered foods on his website and became allies with Dr. Pusztai. Charles wrote an article in the 'Daily Mail' expressing concerns over the lack of safety research on genetically engineered foods.
The U.S. media has not covered the disturbing public health questions raised by Dr. Arpad Pusztai's research into genetically engineered potatoes. Genetic engineering continues to receive a clean bill of health by United States' regulatory agencies despite the fact that no independent, government-supported research has been or is being conducted into the effects of genetically engineered foods on mammals .
This is in large part due to the fact that the biotech industry has a sophisticated public relations apparatus in place which has so far successfully been able to spin the industry's line that genetically altered food is absolutely safe. To better understand how public relations firms shape the public's awareness and beliefs, read the "Why you believe what you believe" page.
Perhaps the most important event in the last few years was the contamination of the food supply with the unapproved genetically engineered StarLink corn. The corn had been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for consumption by animals but not humans, because of concerns that it may cause allergic reactions.
The StarLink discovery by a coalition of advocacy groups has resulted in approximately 300 food products being recalled, mass litigation within the agriculture community, and drops in exports to key markets. StarLink has also raised questions about the United States' regulatory system, and at the end of 2000, several bills in Congress were proposing major changes in the way U.S. agencies regulate these crops.
Monsanto's recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone
Over 70 million acres of genetically engineered crops are presently under cultivation in the United States, while up to 500,000 dairy cows are being injected regularly with Monsanto's recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone, known as "rBGH".
In 1994, the Food and Drug Administration approved the sale of Monsanto's controversial genetically engineered recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) - injected into dairy cows to force them to produce more milk - even though scientists warned that significantly higher levels (500% or more) of a potent hormone, Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF-1), in the milk and dairy products of injected cows, could pose serious hazards for human prostate, breast, and colon cancer.
A number of studies have shown that humans with elevated levels of IGF-1 in their bodies are much more likely to get cancer. In addition, the U.S. Congressional watchdog agency, the GAO, told the Food and Drug Administration not to approve rBGH, arguing that increased antibiotic residues in the milk of rBGH-injected cows (resulting from higher rates of udder infections requiring antibiotic treatment) posed an unacceptable risk for public health.
In 1998, never-before disclosed Monsanto/FDA documents were released by government scientists in Canada, showing damage to laboratory rats fed dosages of rBGH. Significant infiltration of rBGH into the prostate of the rats as well as thyroid cysts indicated potential cancer hazards from the drug. Subsequently the government of Canada banned rBGH in early 1999. The European Union has had a ban in place since 1994.
Primarily because of scientific concerns that it is a cancer hazard and likely to cause increased antibiotic residues in milk, rBGH is banned in every industrialized country except in the United States.
Genetically modified foods and your health
I believe it would be wise to avoid genetically engineered foods if at all possible. There may be nothing wrong with them, but it would seem the better side of prudence to limit your exposure to them. They were not designed with your health in mind.
To see what foods you eat which might contain genetically engineered foods, visit the following site:
http://www.truefoodnow.org/shoppinglist.html
You will be amazed by how many genetically modified foods YOU consume.
Add a Comment
About
© 2009 Created by BVSTX on Ning. Create Your Own Social Network
You need to be a member of BVSTX to add comments!
Join this social network