Do you think that foods labeled "Organic" should be allowed to be made from genetically engineered ingredients? A report out of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service is arguing that producers should be allowed to gain organic certification for biotech (genetically engineered) crops:The Unexplored Potential of Organic-Biotech Production (pdf)
USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Italy
May 26, 2009
According to the Organic Consumers Association, the report above, "is part of a well-funded campaign coordinated by Monsanto and their governmental, corporate, and non-profit partners to legitimize a dangerous and untested technology."
"Organic-Biotech." If ever there was an oxymoron.
12 comments:
No, absolutely not.
Huh, Anonymous, I thought the same thing.
Pisses me off, Virginia. These things haven't been adequately tested, and the Ag Industry is intimidating research bodies ... so more rigorous testing isn't in the offing (unless done on the sly, in which case results aren't widely recognized).
no, absolutely not!!!!!!!
Virginia sent this article:
Researcher expects European Union to accept genetically modified foods eventually
An internationally recognized genetics researcher who visited the Louisiana State University AgCenter Rice Research Station Tuesday (July 21) said he is confident that the European Union eventually will accept genetically modified foods.
“This is going to happen sooner or later,” he said.
*sigh* Well I'm glad I wasn't the only one befuddled about this.
I agree, it'll happen sooner or later. I just HOPE there's legislation that it has to be clearly marked on the product *where* it came from.
Not cool. Anything to make a buck :(
poison on the plate.
It's odd that this is coming out of Italy, because the Catholic Church considers genetic manipulation, and support of same, a mortal sin:
"Pollution and genetic engineering, as well as drug dealing, abortion, pedophilia, social injustice and extreme wealth were now on record as mortal sins, those the Church deems most offensive to God and those that could land you a spot in hell without repentance."
- Monsignor Gianfranco Girotti, second in command at the Apostolic Penitentiary, the Vatican body responsible for confessions and absolutions
Anrosh.. How is that different from now? :)
Bix.. That *is* interesting.
A serious question: Isn't grafting the large-fruit-bearing part of one tree species onto the hardy root stock of another a kind of genetic engineering? Aren't all of our fruits and vegetables, organic or not, the result of some sort of human manipulation? How is "genetic engineering" legally differentiated from grafting and other techniques we've used for centuries?
Legally different? Maybe someone can weigh in.
I asked similar questions a while back and found a distinction in Jeffrey Smith's writings:
http://fanaticcook.blogspot.com/2009/01/genetic-roulette.html
Essentially:
"Genetic engineering transfers genes across natural species barriers, using imprecise laboratory techniques that bear no resemblance to natural breeding."
Smith writes in depth in his books "Seeds of Deception" and "Genetic Roulette." From his site:
http://www.seedsofdeception.com/Public/AboutGeneticallyModifiedFoods/GeneticallyModifiedFoodsareInherentl/index.cfm
I'd say it's much different. The quote helps, too ("..that bear no resemblance to natural breeding"). Even if we, say, mix breeds of (i.e) tomatoes (so we no longer have heirloom), I'd consider that much different (better, safer) than manipulation/creation in a lab.
...And am I the only one disturbed the picture of the corn is referenced for birth control???
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