NoNAIS.org

Here’s a rather nasty reason not to want to eat Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs):

Why eating GM food could lower your fertility
By SEAN POULTER

Genetically modified corn has been linked to a threat to fertility in an official study that could deliver a hammer blow to controversial ‘Frankenstein Food’. A long-term feeding trial commissioned by the Austrian government found mice fed on GM corn or maize had fewer offspring and lower birth rates.The trial has triggered a call from Greenpeace for a recall of all GM food crops currently on the market worldwide on the grounds of the threat to human health.

Most of the research on GM crop safety has been conducted by biotech companies, such as Monsanto, rather than outside independent laboratories. GM advocates have argued that the fact the US population has been eaten some types of GM food for more than a decade is proof of its safety. However, these reassurances have been turned on their head by the study commissioned by the Austrian Ministries for Agriculture and Health, which was presented yesterday at a scientific seminar in Vienna.
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The team found changes that were ’statistically significant’ in the third and fourth litters produced by the mice given a GM diet. There were fewer offspring, while the young mice were smaller. Prof Zentek said there was a direct link between the changes seen and the GM diet.
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Monsanto press offices in the UK and USA were unable to provide a comment on the findings. CropGen, which speaks for the biotech industry, claims GM crops have been accepted as safe by Government authorities on both sides of the Atlantic.
-DailyMail in the UK

Birth control everywhere you look. Yummy!

Now we have an idea of why the GMO companies like Monsanto fight so hard to prevent labeling of their genetically engineered foods. If it was better for us they would want to shout it out to the world. The reality is it isn’t good food. It actively harms us in addition to the dangers it represents to biodiversity.

An easy action item from Sharon Z:

Here in New England, the head regional APHIS guy, Bill Smith, determined that they would put the PIN Mandate on the back burner and do nothing with it, as in it is not in effect until such time as APHIS makes their intent more clear. His words to me just a few minutes ago were, “John Clifford has put the policy memo on-hold, it is not effective.”

On Friday I had received word that the PIN mandate was rescinded. It seemed that only one person, a reporter, knew about that development, so I called APHIS HQ to find out for myself. In the end I spoke with someone who claimed to be the Chief of Staff for APHIS. She denied that it was rescinded, but - get this - APHIS realized that their “intent” had been misunderstood. Slimy, slimy people. They will decide soon what to do.

In the meantime, here is what I suggest, and I hope you all will do it. Using this link for the area offices, locate yours and call the *APHIS Area Veterinarian-In-Charge. *Ask that person what the situation is in regard to the APHIS Pin Mandate.

Please get back to us on the groups with what you find out.

Sharon

You’re prodding of the USDA/APHIS on this will let them know you’re paying attention and can influence policy. Don’t let only the Big Ag lobbyists control your future. The USDA needs feedback from small producers like us. -WJ

The USDA and the FDA are seeking comments about how to handle genetically engineered animals, specifically those that will be entering the food chain such as livestock. You can read it in the Federal Registry and there is an article in the Boston Globe related to this.

SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a draft guidance document (GFI187) entitled
“Regulation of Genetically Engineered Animals Containing Heritable rDNA Constructs.'’ This draft guidance is intended to clarify FDA’s requirements and recommendations for producers and developers of genetically engineered (GE) animals and their products. The draft guidance describes how the new animal drug provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act) apply with respect to GE animals, including FDA’s intent to exercise enforcement discretion regarding requirements for certain GE animals.
Elsewhere in this same issue of the Federal Register, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is soliciting public comment on any potential implications of activities such as the importation or interstate movement of GE animals on the health of the U.S. livestock population under the authority of the Animal Health Protection Act (AHPA).
-Federal Registry

I see two immediate issues:

1) Genetically Engineered Organisms (GMOs) need to be fully and completely tested so we know if there are health issues for the animals, the environment and the people who will eat them. Unlike with traditional selective breeding rDNA to produce GMOs does not have centuries of testing. Toxic combinations of genes can be inserted such as adding a peanut protein to another genome which could create highly allergic reactions for many people in products they would not expect to find peanut allergy.

2) Foods containing any GMOs should carry labels clearly stating that they contain genetically engineered items and a web link of where to find complete information about the product and its risks. This is basic common sense. If the GMO companies have no fear about producing dangerous foods then they should wholeheartedly support full disclosure. If they believe their products are better then they should be shouting to the world that their products contain GMOs and rDNA. To hide the inclusion of GMOs in products tells us that they fear the risks their products represent.

We need to be able to know what we’re eating. They’re pushing NAIS on us for completely natural foods but then expect us to blindly accept GMOs without any information or labeling. Go give feedback. Go to the Federal Registry and click on the yellow balloon on the right. Also post a copy of your comments below. Comments are due by tomorrow 11/18 so act now!

My comment:

I urge the government to require that any products made from rDNA constructs, plants or animals be labeled clearly with a symbol that shows that it is made from rDNA. There should also be a clearly legible link on the package that leads to full disclosure about what rDNA constructs are in the product as well as any known side effects much like the disclosure required on drugs.

Furthermore I urge the government to require safety testing of rDNA constructs, plants and animals to prove that they are safe for the consumer, the environment and will not cause problems if released into the wild as will invariably happen and has already happened with some grass species which are displacing native species.

Sincerely,

-Walter Jeffries
Vermont

Hat tip to Bekah.