GMO's

Norms for GM crop testing created by biotech industry - Center For Food Safety

andrea — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:54:30 -0800

Food & Health : Laws & Politics Last Updated: Dec 16, 2008 - 11:58:54 AM

Norms for GM crop testing created by biotech industry - Center For Food Safety
By Center for Food Safety
Dec 16, 2008 - 11:55:34 AM

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NOTE: Superb letter from the Center for Food Safety in defence of Dr Bhargava, re the controversy over GM regulation before India's Supreme Court.

The important points raised here are of wide general interest as they apply globally to many of the problems of current GM regulation.

EXTRACT: Far from representing some consensus of independent agricultural scientists, as he states, the current norms for GM crop testing are largely a creation of biotech industry officers intent upon securing rapid approval for commercial use of their crops absent adequate testing for potential harm to the environment or human health. This is an extremely serious misrepresentation.

Time and again, Dr. Warrier dismisses legitimate tests recommended by Dr. Bhargava, invariably adopting the position of biotech companies rather than the views of independent scientists.
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Whom So-ever It May Concern:

A Food Agenda for Obama

andrea — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 16:49:38 -0800

Published on Friday, December 26, 2008 by The Christian Science Monitor
A Food Agenda for Obama

by Christopher Cook

San Francisco - Within hours of former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack's nomination last week as Agriculture secretary, websites were humming with well-documented critiques of his affinity for genetically engineered crops, agribusiness giant Monsanto, heavily polluting factory farms, and other Big Farm interests.

Some critics expressed outrage, others surprise, especially since they had mounted a vigorous, 55,000-plus strong online petition to persuade President-elect Barack Obama to nominate someone more progressive who would promote sustainable food and farming.

The need for sweeping change could not be clearer when it comes to our food: At taxpayer expense, current policy subsidizes large corporate farms and destructive industrial agriculture, which rob the countryside of economic diversity and precious environmental resources, such as water and topsoil.

These same subsidies, and anemic regulatory enforcement, encourage an increasingly monopolized food system, and a "cheap food" policy that lards us with fatty, processed foods - the cost of which is ultimately dear, more than $100 billion annually for obesity and diet-related diseases. Today's food system also generates a sizable portion of America's greenhouse gases, and rests on fast-dwindling and volatile oil supplies.

Now is the time for something different - change we can eat.

Genetically modified Hawai`i

andrea — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:50:57 -0800

Just beyond the defunct Koloa Sugar Mill on the Hawaiian island of Kauai's south shore are acres of cornfields that have sprouted over the past decade in a state made famous by its pineapples, bananas and sugarcane crops. Slightly out of place in the Aloha State, they otherwise look quite conventional, although in fact they are not: The crop is among a bounty of others in the state that are grown from seeds that have been genetically engineered or modified (GM) to produce sturdier plants able to withstand weather and disease as well as thrive in the face of insects and chemicals sprayed on them to kill destructive weeds.

In front of one plot of corn stalks is a red and white sign warning, "Danger: pesticides. Keep out." Tacked to it is a list containing 15 chemicals that may have been applied to the crop. In this case, the chemicals circled are the herbicides pendimethalin (brand name: Prowl), dicamba (Banvel) and atrazine, the latter of which is banned in the European Union (E.U.) because of its link to birth defects in frogs that live in groundwater contaminated with it.

Dr's to speak in Hanapepe about GMO test fields, pesticide spraying & health

andrea — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:07:30 -0800

Start: Dec 8 2008 - 7:30pm

End: Dec 8 2008 - 9:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-10

Upcoming Free Speaker Event with Q and A
Hanapepe Neighborhood Center, turn makai at Lappert's and go towards the stadium
Pupu's and Organic Popcorn

Dr's to speak in Hanapepe about GMO test fields, pesticide spraying & health

Monday, December 8 at 7:30 pm til pau

HANAPEPE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER

Dr. Lorrin Pang, Maui DOH and World Health Advisor
Dr. Hector Valenzuela, UH Vegetable Crop Specialist

Come learn about the unintended consequences of biotech near our schools, homes, keiki and kupuna.

Dr Pang and Dr Valenzuela also welcome, with respect, people involved in the production of biotech experiments so that we may have a broader discussion of this important issue.

This is a free lecture and all are welcome. Dr. Pang, advisor to the World Health Organization, and Dr Valenzuela, conventional crop specialist from UH Manoa, will be available to answer all your questions regarding chemical use, contamination and lack of regulation associated with GMO crops on our island and world wide. Dr Pang and Dr Valenzuela are both very interesting and entertaining presenters, and are very familiar with the genetic testing being conducted on Kaua`i. They are available to talk story after the presentation as well.

Please join GMO Free Kaua`i on Monday night, December 8 at 7:30pm, Dr. Lorrin Pang and Dr Hector Valenzuela will come to Kaua`i to speak about the health, environmental and economic concerns regarding the testing and growing of genetically engineered food crops on our island. This informative event will be held at the Hanapepe Neighborhood Center.

First Council Meeting A Lotta Rocky

kauaibrad — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:50:48 -0800

http://kauaiworld.com/articles/2008/11/25/news/kauai_news/doc492ba602e01...

"First council meeting a little rocky"
By Luke Shanahan - The Garden Island
Published: Tuesday, November 25, 2008

"Councilmember Tim Bynum said he hoped yesterday’s Kauai County Council organizational meeting would reflect the voters’ desire to see change, and that the members would respect one another’s aspirations for committee assignments.

Judging by statements made by several members of the council, and by the reactions of the people looking on from the gallery, Bynum’s hopes were not realized.

After a brief public comment from Kekaha resident Bruce Pleas in which he complained that the caucus meeting should be televised, rather than just being open to the public, the committee got down to the business at hand, determining who would chair the council for the next two years.

First, there was the small matter of appointing the temporary presiding officer of the meeting, or presiding officer pro-tem.

Kaipo Asing was elected to the pro-tem position by a four-to-three vote, with Derek Kawakami, Daryl Kaneshiro, Dickie Chang, and Asing voting in favor, and Jay Furfaro, Tim Bynum and Lani Kawahara voting against.

After that, Furfaro, seated at the head of the table, withdrew his nomination for chair, saying that it was evident that the votes for council chair would produce the same four-to-three vote.

Keep genetically engineered animals off your plate

andrea — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:24:48 -0800

http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/t/741/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=2622...
You might think that after their controversial decision to allow cloned animals into the food supply, the Bush administration would take a break for while. But they're up against the clock, and trying to push genetically engineered animals onto your dinner plate. Can you help us make sure they don't get their way?

The Food and Drug Administration recently released its draft plan for how it will approve animals that are genetically engineered to grow faster, produce more milk, or even produce drugs in their meat or milk. The agency wants to use its drug approval process to approve new GE animals - a process that is flawed and wrapped in secrecy. This approval process would require the agency to review the effectiveness of the genetically engineered trait and any health impact on the animal, but not test the food that comes from these animals.

And this process does nothing to weigh any environmental damage caused by things like GE fish escaping from fish farms and breeding with wild fish, or the ethical considerations of altering the genes of animals in the first place. And to make matters worse, the FDA is not requiring that food from GE animals be labeled, so consumers won't know if the food they buy for their families was produced with this controversial technology.

Tell FDA to ban the use of genetically engineered animals for food. Take action.

Thanks for taking action,
Sarah Alexander, Senior Food Organizer
Food & Water Watch

Hawai`i Council Overrides GMO Veto

andrea — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:40:04 -0800

Today, Thursday November 13th, the Hawaii County Council
successfully overrode Mayor Harry Kim's veto of bill# 361.

Bill# 361, introduced by Council Member Angel Pilago, will now become an ordinance,
protecting the Big Island's Taro or Coffee from Genetic Engineering.

This victory was won through the overwhelming strength of people power.
We won because of you, and your willingness to show up and be counted.

Mahalo, to the 100+ individuals who showed up at the county council offices today.

Mahalo, to the thousands of you who have given testimony to the county council in support of bill# 361.

Mahalo, to the community organizers and activist who helped us keep the pressure on our Co. Council Members.

Mahalo, to the Hawaiian Kapuna, with whom we have been honored to work.

Mahalo to all of you! You made this victory possible!

The fight for safe sustainable food is not over, but today we can celebrate.

Please call and thank the Seven County Council members who voted to override Mayor Kim's Veto.
They need our support as well.

961-8225
Brenda Ford: bfordco.hawaii.hi.us">bfordco.hawaii.hi.us
Pete Hoffmann: phoffmannco.hawaii.hi.us">phoffmannco.hawaii.hi.us,
Bob Jacobson: jjacoco.hawaii.hi.us">jjacoco.hawaii.hi.us,
Emily Naeole: enaeoleco.hawaii.hi.us">enaeoleco.hawaii.hi.us,
Angel Pilago: kapilagoco.hawaii.hi.us">kapilagoco.hawaii.hi.us,
Dominic Yagong: dyagongco.hawaii.hi.us">dyagongco.hawaii.hi.us,
J. Yoshimoto: jyoshimotoco.hawaii.hi.us">jyoshimotoco.hawaii.hi.us

Paul Normann
808-557-4806
paulwnormannyahoo.com">paulwnormannyahoo.com

Greenpeace Scientific Study: GMOʻs Threat to Fertility?

andrea — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:10:17 -0800

Genetically-engineered food: potential threat to fertility
Greenpeace International, 11 November 2008

VIENNA (Austria) - Study shows that genetically engineered maize affects reproductive health in mice

A study published today by the Austrian government identified serious health threats of genetically engineered (GE) crops. In one of the very few long-term feeding studies ever conducted with GE crops, the fertility of mice fed with GE maize was found to be severely impaired, with fewer offspring being produced than by mice fed on natural crops. Considering the severity of the potential threat to human health and reproduction, Greenpeace is demanding a recall of all GE food and crops from the market, worldwide.

The study, sponsored by the Austrian Ministries for Agriculture and Health, was presented today at a scientific seminar in Vienna, Austria. Prof. Dr. Jürgen Zentek, Professor for Veterinary Medicine at the University of Vienna and lead author of the study, summarised the findings: Mice fed with GE maize had less offspring in the third and fourth generations, and these difference were statistically significant. Mice fed with non-GE maize reproduced more efficiently. This effect can be attributed to the differences in the food source.

TAKE ACTION: OVERRIDE THE VETO TO BAN GMO TARO AND COFFEE

andrea — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:50:49 -0800

Aloha Friends ~ Please pass this along to Hawai`i Island Ohana, and for all Island residents now is the time to send testimony! Mahalo.
Bonnie ~ GMO-Free Maui/Hawai`i SEED

Overturn the Veto!

Mayor Harry Kim has taken a stand against the people of Hawaii County and Vetoed bill #361,
a bill banning GMO - Taro & Coffee on Hawaii Island.

On Thursday November 13th - Hilo, 10:00 a.m.

The County Council will hold a special session to consider
overriding Mayor Kim's veto of bill# 361.
(Meeting Location: Council Office, Second Floor of Ben Franklin Building)

(Video-conferencing is available at the following locations:
* Kona Council Office at the Kailua Trade Center; and
*Waimea Council Office at the Holomua Center.)

Help protect Taro & Coffee from GMOs.

We absolutely must pack the County Council Chambers in order to pass bill# 361.

If we do not show up with the strength of overwhelming numbers,
the opponents of bill# 361 will seize upon our weakness and kill the bill.

The defeat or victory of bill #361 is in our hands.

Please come, in person, and give your testimony to the Co. Council.
You do not need to say much more than, "please vote to overturn Mayor Kim's veto",
but we need you at the County Council Meeting.

Also:

Call your Council Member and tell them to support bill# 361.
(If you have already called, please call them again on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.)

Email testimony in support of bill 361, on or before, November 10th.

Call or Email Your Council Member:
961-8225
Brenda Ford: bfordco.hawaii.hi.us">bfordco.hawaii.hi.us

FREE FILM: The World According to Monsanto

andrea — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:50:32 -0800

Start: Nov 17 2008 - 7:00pm

End: Nov 17 2008 - 9:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-10

Please join us for a new movie by French producer Marie-Monique Robin. It is an extraordinary expose about the world's leading seed manufacturer, and the rush to patent the world's food supply. Kaua`i is the #1 spot in the world for these experiments that are profoundly threatening our health, environment and economy.
Please educate yourself and others about the secret changes that are taking place in our food supply without adequate precaution, safety testing or labeling.
Mahalo nui,
Jeri

GMO Free Kaua`i is hosting a free educational film showing of "The World According to Monsanto" at the Koloa Neighborhood Center on Monday, November 17 at 7pm. Come and enjoy free organic popcorn and learn about the unintended consequences of the genetically engineered food crops being grown on Kaua`i. For more information call 651 9603 or visit hawaiiSEED.org