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There has been a lot of talk of late about genetic engineering
and the resulting genetically modified organisms (GMOs). No
doubt much of what you've heard has left you very confused.
You're not alone. It's a very complex topic, and one that
has even the "experts" providing more questions
than answers.
In simple terms, genetic engineering is the process whereby
the genes of one strain of a plant, animal or virus are inserted
in another, with the goal of reproducing characteristics of
the original species in the receiving species.
Farmers have always tried to improve their crops and livestock
by crossbreeding, that is, interbreeding two varieties of
the same or similar species. Broccoli can be crossbred with
cauliflower, for example, but not eggplant - or a goat.
Genetic engineering techniques differ from these traditional
crossbreeding techniques in two significant ways. First, they
give scientists the ability to isolate genes and to introduce
new traits into foods without simultaneously introducing many
other undesirable traits, as may occur with traditional breeding.
Second, today's techniques give breeders the ability to cross
biological boundaries that could not be crossed by traditional
breeding. For example, they enable the transfer of traits
from bacteria or animals into plants.
Renowned Canadian geneticist Dr. David Suzuki had this to
say at the October 17, 1999 meeting of the Canadian Health
Food Association: "By putting GMOs into the food stream,
we are performing a massive experiment. The results will only
be known after millions of people have been exposed to [these
foods] for decades. Any politician or scientist who tells
you these products are safe is either very stupid or lying.
The experiments have simply not been done. Both the vaunted
benefits and the hazards of [these foods] are speculative
and uncertain." At issue, he said, are fundamental laws
of genetics. Those rules are based on "vertical inheritance."
With genetically modified foods, scientists are assuming that
when they transfer genes to different species horizontally,
the behavior of those genes will be the same as when they
are transmitted vertically. "It is simply bad science
to make that assumption," Dr. Suzuki said. "You
have changed the context within which this new gene finds
itself. Therefore, what the behavior of the new gene will
be, we simply cannot say."
Dr. Suzuki called for a moratorium on growing genetically
modified plants in open fields and leaving them in our foods
until more is known about the long-term health effects. In
the meantime, he is urging all Canadians to demand mandatory
labeling for genetically altered foods. "We learned from
sad experience that people should not become part of experiments
unless they are fully informed and give their permission,"
Suzuki said. "Right now we are part of an experiment
with no informed consent."
We're also doing our part to ensure our customers the food
products we produce are GMO-free. We even put that in writing,
right on the product labels. In addition, we no longer carry
products that are suspected of containing GMOs. That's why
you will no longer find canola oil listed in our catalog.
We urge all our customers on both sides of the border to
lobby their governments for mandatory labeling for altered
foods. That way, it will be left to consumers to decide whether
or not they wish to purchase those products. Labeling will
allow them to make a more informed decision.
1. James H. Maryanski, Ph.D., Biotechnology coordinator,
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition on behalf of
the Food and Drug Administration. From his presentation to
the Committee on Science Subcommittee on Basic Research, United
States House of Representatives. October 19, 1999.
NOTE: For more information, see http://www.thecampaign.org.
It's a great back grounder web site from a grassroots group
that is lobbying the U.S. government for mandatory GMO labeling.
The site includes an educational tutorial (a 12-part web brochure)
and a list of other GMO-related web sites.
Source: Janet Collins, freelance writer
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