In The Independent today

link don't think...

Published on March 9, 2004 By EMacy In Current Events

A couple of interesting stories in the Independent today. The first, about the report on catastrophic climate change_and Britains top scientist being gagged by no. 10. He reckons climate change has far worse implications than terrorism has or ever will.

The other two links concern genetically modified maize and the EU ban being lifted (?) or not The closer it gets the harder people protest against the EU's decision to accept GM maize..Monsanto's GM maize isn't kosher and has a sinister quaility to it, the public and I don't want Genetically modified or contaminated- food that has altered to resist pestisides. The science is trying to get out, despite gags, and it doesn't look promising($$$) for contaminated crops in the US.
Who? would welcome? GM foods?
Oh yes,savvy industrial farmers, looking to make a profit.
GM food is the biggest insult to Mother Nature imaginable and I reckon for every action theres an opposite and equal reaction and wonder what the reaction will be, long term,. from screwing around with the food chain_Changing the DNA of what we eat, changes us, upsets natural scheme of things_like it or not_pollen guarantees we will be exposed eventually anyway_which isn't pleasing to Bio farmers whose crops will be cross pollinated with the Franken-maize. It's truly arrogant to force this product on the general public.
Does the US care?

Scientist 'gagged' by No 10 after warning of global warming threat

By Steve Connor and Andrew Grice

"n January, Sir David wrote a scathing article in the American journal Science attacking Washington for failing to take climate change seriously. "In my view, climate change is the most severe problem we are facing today, more serious even than the threat of terrorism," he wrote."

Revealed: Shocking new evidence of the dangers of GM crops

Genetically modified strains have contaminated two-thirds of all crops in US

"Because of the contamination, the report says, farmers unwittingly plant billions of GM seeds a year, spreading genetic modification throughout US agriculture. This would be likely to lead to danger to health with the next generation of GM crops, bred to produce pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals - delivering "drug-laced cornflakes" to the breakfast table."

GM: the closer it gets, the louder the protests

Government plans for the commercial planting of modified maize are facing tough opposition.

Geoffrey Lean and Severin Carrell report

"The British Medical Association (BMA) is expected to issue a report this week reiterating concerns about the effects of GM food on health. A study on the environmental effects of growing the maize - which ministers plan to use to shore up their position - is under attack for being partially based on speculation. And research shows that two-thirds of US conventional crops are contaminated with modified genes."

"The leaders of nine organisations representing eight million Britons - including the National Trust and the Women's Institute - have written to the Prime Minister demanding that the decision be postponed. Environmentalists are mobilising to pull up any crops that are planted. And even the GM industry is privately unhappy that it has not fully got its way."

Comments

Wahkonta Anathema

on Mar 09, 2004

Thanks for this blog. The implications of genetically altered crops are as severe as any radical can imagine. There are articles and studies on breakouts of seeds more and more each year and these will forever alter our diets and very DNA. They estimate that ten percent of all crops will be subjected to genetic changes this year due to the invasion of these seeds by wind, mixing, etc. In ten years it will be very bad ( it's bad already). What's more, the Monsanto and Cargill groups are claiming patent rights to seeds and so a trip to the seed store may result in confiscation of one's garden for violations in certain circumstances. It's a hell of a topic and anyone who doubts it should just watch the changing dietary habits of animals it is causing. They aren't abandoning crops because they are picky. Their NATURE and constitution are telling them the new foods are bad for them.

EMacy

on Mar 10, 2004

Thanks Wahkonta_I didn't know all that. You mean animals are rejecting the "improved" crops? Really? Wonder how many animal species we are losing a year?
Yesterday, the go ahead was given, anyway, to one type of GM corn here. "Strictly regulated..." ( foods will be labeled if they contain GM soy etc._consumers don't want them so, it will be interesting to see how this "experiment " works. Public opinion does matter in terms of $.)
It's very destructive to tamper with the DNA of what we eat. Frankenstein Food is a good analogy.

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!