Sunday, October 1, 2006
Say BOO to Genetically Engineered food!
Did you know that plant varieties can be developed through traditional processes, such as crossbreeding but in order to genetically engineer a food gene, new DNA must be introduced into the plant's cell? This procedure is not possible under natural conditions or processes. How do you introduce new genes into a cell? Through the introduction of bacteria or viruses!
In 1999, more than one-third the corn and over half of the soybeans grown in the United States were genetically engineered. Despite the prevalence of GE food, its effects on human health and the environment remain largely unknown because consumers have no way of knowing which foods contain or are produced with GE material.
Shouldn't we know what we are putting in our bodies?!
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has refused to exercise its authority to require genetically engineered food to be labeled even though a survey by ABC News, conducted June 13-17, 2001, found that 93 percent of the public believed that genetically modified foods should be labeled. As ABC News stated, "Such near-unanimity in public opinion is rare."
Just a few years ago, stores all over the US had to pull Taco Bell taco shells because they were made with a GE corn that was not yet approved for human consumption. This GE corn could be fed to cattle and we wouldn't even know, even when we would eat the beef.
Shouldn't we know what we are putting in our bodies?!
Citizens from around the world have demanded labeling of genetically engineered foods, and more than two dozen industrialized nations have either passed or enacted labeling requirements. These countries include the 15 nations that make up the European Union, as well as Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand and many others. Even China has agreed to label genetically engineered foods. American corporations such as PepsiCo, Kraft, and Coca-cola have decided not to use GE foods in their products sold in China. Why do American companies treat Chinese citizens with a higher level of respect and care than they treat us? (Another BLOG topic for the future!!!)
The U.S. government should enact similar labeling legislation in our country to protect the right of citizens to know about their food. Help demand that The Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act is passed!
Visit this site
http://www.thecampaign.org/
They have a lot more info on GE foods, letters to write to politicians and companies, and a lot of other activist items.
If you don't join in and speak up for the benefit of the world, who will?
In 1999, more than one-third the corn and over half of the soybeans grown in the United States were genetically engineered. Despite the prevalence of GE food, its effects on human health and the environment remain largely unknown because consumers have no way of knowing which foods contain or are produced with GE material.
Shouldn't we know what we are putting in our bodies?!
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has refused to exercise its authority to require genetically engineered food to be labeled even though a survey by ABC News, conducted June 13-17, 2001, found that 93 percent of the public believed that genetically modified foods should be labeled. As ABC News stated, "Such near-unanimity in public opinion is rare."
Just a few years ago, stores all over the US had to pull Taco Bell taco shells because they were made with a GE corn that was not yet approved for human consumption. This GE corn could be fed to cattle and we wouldn't even know, even when we would eat the beef.
Shouldn't we know what we are putting in our bodies?!
Citizens from around the world have demanded labeling of genetically engineered foods, and more than two dozen industrialized nations have either passed or enacted labeling requirements. These countries include the 15 nations that make up the European Union, as well as Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand and many others. Even China has agreed to label genetically engineered foods. American corporations such as PepsiCo, Kraft, and Coca-cola have decided not to use GE foods in their products sold in China. Why do American companies treat Chinese citizens with a higher level of respect and care than they treat us? (Another BLOG topic for the future!!!)
The U.S. government should enact similar labeling legislation in our country to protect the right of citizens to know about their food. Help demand that The Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act is passed!
Visit this site
http://www.thecampaign.org/
They have a lot more info on GE foods, letters to write to politicians and companies, and a lot of other activist items.
If you don't join in and speak up for the benefit of the world, who will?
# posted by Tracy @ 1:03 AM 
Subscribe to Comments [Atom]
