From the Ban Genetically Engineered Foods List Ban-GEF@lists.txinfinet.com **********************************************************************     *  GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOOD - A SERIOUS HEALTH RISK  *            ********************************************************************** Given the huge complexity of the genetic code, no one can possibly predict the effects of adding new genes into any organism or plant. Genetically engineered foods with genes derived from animals, fish, insects and bacteria are appearing in groceries and supermarkets.  Many scientists feel these foods are not properly tested and pose serious health risks. Already one genetically engineered food supplement (tryptophan) killed at least 37 people in North America, and permanently disabled 1500 others. The entire population is in a dangerous global experiment in the interests of short-term commercial gain by giant transnational biotech companies, which control large segments of the world's food supply.         Dangers identified so far include:         *********************** *      Unpredictable mutations of the genetic code, causing new diseases         and weaknesses *       New toxins and allergens in foods *      Unnatural gene transfers between species, causing the spread of         dangerous diseases across species barriers *      increased use of chemicals on crops, resulting in increased        contamination of our water supply and food *      Other unknown effects of genetic experimentation Genetic engineering poses the greatest danger of any technology yet introduced because genetic mistakes can never be recalled. Safety testing will never be adequate, because any genetic defects, once introduced, will be passed on to all subsequent generations, and their effects will spread without limit.  The consequences of this are incalculable.  We must act now, before it is too late.                    What is Genetic Engineering?                           ******************** Genes are the blueprints for every part of an organism.  Every plant or animal is different because of the different genetic material or genes contained within the cells of that organism. Genetic engineering is the process of modifying this information, particularly by artificially transferring the genes of one organism into another. While traditional breeding techniques can exchange genes between similar species, genetic engineering allows the insertion of genes from any plant or animal into any other organism.   For instance, the genes from a fish were inserted into a tomato to create a more durable tomato.                Side-Effects of Genetic Engineering                         ************************* It might seem quite appealing to transfer desirable properties from one food into another.  Perhaps we could design super foods that last forever and contain all the nutrients we need. However, given the huge complexity of the genetic code, no one can possibly predict the effects of introducing new genes into any plant or organism. Biotechnology companies claim their methods are precise.  In fact, there is always some uncertainty where the inserted gene is going to land.  Also, a gene may act differently when placed in a new host, and the functioning of the host organism could be unpredictably altered.  The risks of genetic mistakes are unlimited.             Toxic Tryptophan - 37 People Killed                         ************************** The tryptophan incident is an alarming example.  (Ref.: Trends in Biotechnology, vol. 12, pp. 346-352, 1994).  Tryptophan is a food supplement. In the USA in 1989, there was an epidemic of a new and mysterious disease, termed eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome.  This disease was characterized by severe, often crippling muscle pain. Eventually, this disease was traced to the consumption of genetically engineered tryptophan, produced by the company Showa Denko K.K. in Japan.  The company had apparently altered its process of genetic engineering to speed of production, and had not realized the toxic side effects.  The result: 37 people died, and at least 1500 more were permanently disabled.             Herbicide Resistant Soybeans and Canola Oil                      ****************************** Soybeans and canola oil now in our stores are from plants genetically engineered to be resistant to herbicides.  This allows farmers to spray higher levels of herbicides without damaging crops. The result: increased contamination of food, soil, and water, toxicity to animals and plants, and reduced soil fertility, in addition to the unknown effects of gene pollution. Soybeans are used in approximately 60% of processed foods, including margarine, ice cream, breads, cereals, pasta, soy sauce, tofu, vegetarian burgers, and meat substitutes.  Since canola oil and soybeans are used in such a wide range of foods, it will be very hard to trace any health problems, allergies, or other toxic effects should they arise.                 Spraying Scorpion Toxin on our Crops                         *************************** Another alarming product now being tested in Southern Ontario is a genetically engineered insect virus. A gene for scorpion toxin has been inserted into an insect virus, which is sprayed onto vegetables to kill insects.   This genetically engineered virus is highly potent in destroying insects, both pests and their natural predators, as well as pollinators. For humans, the impact of the toxin on cuts and open sores is a concern.  In addition, such a gene, if incorporated into the human chromosomes, could create a terrible nerve disease or a powerful autoimmune disease.  The virus that acquires the scorpion toxin gene could also gain a genetic advantage and become a formidable parasite.                     Potatoes with Pesticide Genes                           ******************** Insect resistant potatoes now on the market have been genetically engineered to contain their own pesticide.  The potato contains a bacterial gene (called bacillus thuringiensis, or B.t.), which creates a toxin in the potato to kill insects.  Because the insecticide is in the potato, farmers don't have to spray with pesticides. Biotechnology supporters claim that when these potatoes are eaten by people (or other mammals), the toxin becomes deactivated in the acidic environment of the stomach.  The potatoes were fed to rats, mice, and quails, which showed no immediate toxic effects. However, the long-term effects of these foods are untested and it could take years for any poisonous side-effects to be seen. By then it could be too late.                        Corn with Pesticide Genes                            ****************** B.t. toxin was also added to the genes of corn to kill insects.  This genetically-engineered corn that contains its own pesticide is used to make corn starch, corn syrup, corn sweeteners, and other products derived from corn, which are ingredients in an estimated 25% of processed foods. Since this corn is contained in many other foods, any damaging side-effects could be disastrous. For both the corn and potatoes with B.t. toxin, scientists are concerned these foods may cause allergies in certain people or poisonous effects in those using ulcer medications or antacids that reduce stomach acidity.                    Inserting Viruses into Crops                           ******************** Genes from the rabies virus have been inserted into tomatoes to provide a low cost mass vaccine.  When wild animals such as raccoons eat the tomatoes, they become immunized against rabies. The use of such viruses is very dangerous because viral genes introduced into chromosomes of plants or animals have the ability to join wild viruses by a process called genetic recombination. Virus genes are also frequently added to the cells of crops to confer resistance to invading viruses.  A virus resistant squash that is in the process of approval which is targeted to baby food production is of this type. This addition of virus genes to every cell of a plant creates a massive load of virus genes in the environment and in the human body.  This greatly raises the probability that a virus gene will combine with a wild relative to produce a super virus, which could lead to new and deadly diseases..              Genetically Engineered Enzymes and Food Additives                    *********************************** Many genetically engineered food additives and enzymes have also been approved, including amylase, catalase, and lactase, which are used to produce of a wide range of products, including bread, baby foods, sugar, fruit juices, baking powder, soft drinks, corn syrup, and other processed foods. Rennets manufactured using genetically engineered bacteria are used to make cheese.  Whey residues are then utilized to produce chocolate and margarine.           Splicing Human Genes into Crops and Animals                      ******************************* Farm animals are being altered with human genes to provide replacement parts for human transplants or to provide human factors to treat diseases.  A pig named Astrid was modified with human genes so her organs could be transplanted to humans.  Each organ will be marketed for about sixteen thousand dollars. Rabbits engineered to produce human growth hormone were mainly sterile, but a few animals  produced milk rich in the hormone.  If these rabbits with human genes escape and breed with wild rabbits, no one knows what the results might be. The human gene human metalothienen has been spliced into plants.  This gene produces a product that ties up toxic metals such as mercury or cadmium in the body.  The modified plants would remove pollution from the soil. Unfortunately, this gene also acts like a cancer gene and scientists are concerned about releasing cancer genes into the environment.                    Other Genetically Engineered Foods                         ************************ Other approved genetically engineered foods include yeast (used in bread, spreads, food supplements, pizza base, beer, and other processed foods.), nutrasweet (used widely in soft drinks), herbicide resistant maize, and transgenic tomatoes, carrying anti-ripening genes, antibiotic markers, and herbicide resistant genes,  which can be used in canned tomato products. Over 4,000 field projects are in progress worldwide.  The global market is about to be flooded with genetically modified products.              YOU CAN HELP-ACT NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE                    ********************************** *   Write to the USDA, the FDA, your Congressman, supermarkets, media, and consumer groups expressing your concern.  Demand labeling of genetically engineered foods and a 50 year moratorium on these foods until their long-term effects are known. Mr. Harold Ricker, Staff Director  USDA, AMS, TMD                 Fax: 202-690-3924 harold_s_ricker@usda.gov                   Ph:    202-720-3252 See the USDA website at Http://www.aphis.usda.gov/bbep/bp Mr. Daniel Glickman, Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture AGSEC@USDA.GOV Fax:  202-720-2166 Ph:    202-720-3631 Vice President Albert Gore, Jr, (Clinton's fax also)  Fax: 202-544-0705 Ph:   202-224-8391 The White House  vice-president@whitehouse.gov            *   Send copies of this material to friends, family, influential people and groups. For more information,  contact Neil Carman, Ph.D. c/o Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club P.O. Box 1931 Austin, TX  78767  U.S.A. Phone:  (512) 472-1767 Fax : (512) 477-8526 Email:  neil_carman@greenbuilder.com ----------------------------------------------------------------- In Canada for information and flyers with the above information slanted for Canadians: Campaign To Ban Genetically Engineered Foods, Natural Law Party, 500 Wilbrod St., Ottawa, ON. K1N 6N2 * Tel. (613) 565-8517 * Fax: (613) 565-6546  * E-Mail: natural_law@ottawa.com Richard Wolfson, Ph.D. 500 Wilbrod St. Ottawa, ON Canada K1N 6N2 Tel: 613-565-1838    Fax:  613-565-6546 Email:  rwolfson@concentric.net Alternate Email:   richard@ottawa.com ************************************** For packets of information, which will also be posted to this list over time, contact: Judy_kew@greenbuilder.com ************************************** References and sample material: Books: Algeny: A New Word -- A New World:  A Provocative Critique Of Darwinism, The Age Of Genetic Engineering and Our Relationship To Nature, Jeremy Rifkin, Penquin Books, 1984, first published by The Viking Press, 1983. Superpigs and Wondercorn:  The Brave New World of Biotechnology...and Where It All May Lead, Dr. Michael Fox, Lyons & Burford, Publishers, 1992. Genetic Engineering: The Hazards -- Vedic Engineering: The Solutions, Dr. John Fagan, M.I.U. Press, 1995. Articles: The Risk of Crop Transgenic Spread, T. Mikkelsen, et al., Nature 380:31, 1996.* OSU Study Finds Genetic Altering of Bacterium Upsets Natural Order, H. R. Hill, The Oregonian, August 8, 1994. Update:  Transgenic finfish and shellfish,  The Gene Exchange, June 1996. Original sources: The AgBiotech Bulletin, March 1996;  The Bulletin and the London Guardian, Nov. 13, 1995; and BioScience, April 1996.* Field Testing of Over 40 Different Transgenic Crops, The Gene Exchange, June 1996.  Original source:  U.S. Department of Agriculture databases on notifications and applications for field testing transgenic organisms, April 1996.*  See the USDA website at Http://www.aphis.usda.gov/bbep/bp Geneticists Arm corn Against Corn Borer But Pest May Still Win, Barnaby J. Feder, New York Times, July 23, 1996.* EPA Approves Bt Corn and Cotton with Conditions -- Environmental Groups and Organic Farmers Oppose Approvals, The Gene Exchange, Vol. 6, No 2 & 3, Dec. 1995.* Codex Pressured On Biotechnology Food Labels, Jeffrey L. Fox, Nature Biotechnology, New York, NY, July 1996.* Environmental Concerns with Herbicide-Tolerant Plants, Goldberg, Weed Technology, 6, 1994. Consumers Not Ready for Roundup Ready Soybean, Bruno, K. and Meister, I., International Toxics Investigator, 8:21, No 8.3, Third Quarter, 1996, Greenpeace.** Biotechnology:  New Questions, Renewed Doubt, Tokar, B., Safe Food News, Vol. 4, No. 3, Summer 1995, p. 8.* Biotechnology:  Consumer Beware, Tokar, B., Food & Water Journal, Vol. 5, No. 2, p. 6.* Engineered Plants Pass New Genes to Weeds, Study Finds,  Hotz, R. L., Los Angeles Times, March 7, 1996. p. A-1.* Identification of a Brazil-nut Allergen in Transgenic Soybeans, Nordlee, J., et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 334:688-92, March 14, 1996. ***** Articles on the March 14, 1996 edition, New England Journal of Medicine's above report: Report Cites Risk of  Allergic Reaction in Brazil Nut Gene-Engineered Soybean, Rick Weirs, Washington Post, March 14, 1996, p. A-10.* Study:  Gene Work Poses Allergy Risk, Robert Steer, St. Louis Dispatch, March 14, 1996, p.1-C.* Genetic Engineers Can Move Allergens Between Plants, Study Shows, Lee Cowman, Scripps Howard News Service, March 13, 1996.* Gene-Altered Food Triggers Allergy, Environmental Defense Fund Letter, Vol. .XI, NO. 3, May 1996, p. 3.* is a food supplement., Trends in Biotechnology, vol. 12, pp. 346-352, 1994. ***************************************** *The text of these articles can be posted given a little time. **This article can be posted any time. This listserv is hosted by Sustainable Sources - Internet Solutions With An Environmental Perspective.      Web:  http://www.greenbuilder.com/     BBS:  telnet://fc.greenbuilder.com:3000    info@greenbuilder.com