Posted on 11/04/2013 10:55:03 AM PST by KeyLargo
GM Debate Not Settled, Say European Scientists
Controversy erupts after World Food Prize awarded to Monsanto
By Justina Reichel, Epoch Times | October 24, 2013
In the wake of biotech giants Monsanto and Syngenta being awarded the World Food Prize, a European coalition of scientists is challenging claims that the debate around genetically modified foods is settled and that GM foods are safe.
The European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility, which consists of more than 90 scientists, academics, and physicians, released a statement Monday in response to sweeping claims that GM products are safe.
We strongly reject claims by GM seed developers and some scientists, commentators, and journalists that there is a scientific consensus on GMO safety and that the debate on this topic is over, the group said in a statement.
The claim encourages a climate of complacency that could lead to a lack of regulatory and scientific rigour and appropriate caution, potentially endangering the health of humans, animals, and the environment.
The coalition cites several studies that suggest GM crops and foods can be toxic or allergenic, and raises the concern that many GM products remain under-tested.
(Excerpt) Read more at theepochtimes.com ...
“You dont have to be a hippie leftist to not eat GMOs”
Certainly not. And that was not stated or implied by anything I wrote, nor is that part of the debate.
My observation was about demonization of American corporations.
And I don’t care what they produce, as long as it is labeled with the contents like anything else-and I don’t want our taxes subsidizing them-or anyone else-if the product is so damn superior, let them grow and sell it without subsidies on the free market. Solyndra and it’s fellow failures should have taught us something about the government’s ability to pick winners and losers...
“1.Monsanto should be given vast extra rights and advantages in the market as a result of political bribes.”
That is not the topic of this post.
That’s a legitimate concern and crony capitalism and congressional milking bills are real problems.
“2.They should be able to sell you a product which is possibly unsafe without labeling it as to distinguish it from other products that don’t elicit the same concerns.”
This has a couple topics: are they possibly unsafe?
That is the topic and to my knowledge that is not the case.
I asked for info on this topic.
And, should they be labelled.
There all ready are labels. Buy food that says no GMO on the label if concerned.
I am generally not for more government oversight and bureaucracy. These products already undergo more safety evaluation than any on the ,market. A law saying beyond that, that they must be labelled just allows for more corruption and big government control.
Monsanto is nothing like Solyndra.
Oh-and let them sell it on the free market labeled to say what it really contains-if people want to buy it, that is fine-caveat emptor...
sure sure sure, but they all come from the food scientists who proclaim to be smarter then God.
Are they safe? In the end they really don’t know. Some people say yes, but of course they are going to profit enormously from GMO.
Just label it.
“Percy Schmeiser was a farmer. Shortly after the Monsanto company introduced genetically modified (GM) canola plants to Canada, Percy Schmeiser was a farmer facing a lawsuit.
After hearing that GM crops could potentially increase yields, three farmers in Schmeiser’s region planted fields of Monsanto’s seed. Winds pushed pollen from GM canola into Schmeiser’s fields, and the plants cross-pollinated. The breed he had been cultivating for 50 years was now contaminated by Monsanto’s GM canola.
Did Monsanto apologize? No. It sued Schmeiser for patent infringement first charging the farmer per acre of contamination, then slapping him with another suit for $1 million and attempting to seize his land and farming equipment. After a seven-year battle, the Canadian Supreme Court eventually ruled against him but let him keep his farm and his $1 million. He was one of the lucky ones.
March 15, 2013
Schmeiser’s case illustrates how Monsanto is dominating and terrifying the agricultural world with secretive technologies, strong-arm tactics, and government approval. According to the Center for Food Safety, Monsanto has filed at least 142 similar lawsuits against farmers for alleged infringement of its patents or abuse of its technology agreement. The company has won 72 judgments totaling almost $24 million.
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2013-07-25/restaurants/monsanto-gm-crops/
“Give me my organic food,
Don’t ask what’s in it or I’m gonna get rude!
Give me organic food,
organic poison is really good for ya, Dude!
(all together now).....”
This is part of our famous Chants for Grants Programme.
Safety standards are written and sponsored by Big Ag for the purpose of pricing out and squashing the small family farms.
As to your questions of if they are safe...
Since GMO corn and soybeans (which are in nearly everything we eat) were introduced to the market in the mid 90s the rates of autism, allergies, asthma, obesity and diabetes have exploded. In 1995 no state had an obesity rate higher than 15%. Today there is only 1 state under 20%. I understand that no one has yet demonstrated the exact mechanism in GMO and industrial farming that causes these but I think it would be foolish to ignore the relationship. On the farm, when you notice that an animal is having unexplained health problems, the very first thing you do is examine what they are eating and see how it differs from what they usually eat. Are people so different?
Explain how labeling something as GMO would allow more corruption?
I watched a documentary on Netflix about this and his case was mentioned. Can’t remember the name of it.
If you’re going to tell a story why leave out most of it?
“If youre going to tell a story why leave out most of it?”
Uhm, exactly what story did I tell?
I like stories, especially at bed time.:)
However if you are referring to an excerpt from an article well then, here you are; when I post a long article as FR strongly recommends I provide a link for the reader. :)
I still want to know what story I told.
Was it a tall tale? Or a short tale? Or did it have a tail?
“Labeled will work just fine for me, too-if someone wants to eat frankenfood, that is entirely up to them, but I will continue to avoid it, and eat what is cultivated and improved, raised and grown by natural means, thanks...”
BINGO!
Personal decision.
Thanks.
Good, simple answer without getting into a disagreement with the pro big corporate farm subsidy and chemicals supporters.
I could not agree more.
Just label the product for the consumer and let the consumer choose.
The consumer has chosen, which is why they are seeking to remove the info from labels.
“Safety standards are written and sponsored by Big Ag for the purpose of pricing out and squashing the small family farms.”
The biggest Occupy lefty couldn’t have said it better.
Thanks for your response on the supposed safety issues.
I’d like something more tangible.
It seems like superstition to me, the opposition to GMO.
I see zero problem in that there are foods available anywhere that are not GMO.
They just cost more usually.
Right. You get ten times more glutamate from naturally occurring sources than you do from added sources. You could not survive without glutamate. You probably have 3-4 lbs. of glutamate inside you right now. Exactly what problems is this causing you?
Splenda/Sucralose isn't metabolized by your body so how could it cause any issues? The imagination is an incredible thing.
Aspartame is made up three things. There is more of each of these three things in a banana than there is in a can of diet Coke. If aspartame in a diet Coke is bad for you then so is a banana.
Growth hormones from animals do not survive digestion in humans. Even if they did, the growth hormone receptors in humans do not recognize bovine growth hormones, so they are unable to produce any effects in humans.
You fear things you don't understand. Why you insist on regularly advertising that fact here remains a mystery. Just add GMO to the list.
Stop talking about science, he feels GMOs might be bad.
As a conservative, are you saying you want to force manufacturers to add additional labeling to their foods to address a problem that doesnt even exist? Conservatives shouldn't be offering costly solutions that are wholly disproportionate to a nonexistent problem.
Labeling mandates based solely on an alleged consumers right to know, rather than on a products measurable characteristics, is in violation of the Constitution.
You are not allowed to demonize a product, or to create fear about a product, unless you can prove that there is a problem with the nutrition or safety of that product. You guys are big on whining, but bereft of proof. The organic food industry supports your efforts, though, and they are doing all they can to foment anti-GMO hysteria. That way, more and more people can pay higher and higher prices for food that delivers absolutely zero additional benefits.
Exactly what rights did they receive for their alleged political bribes?
They should be able to sell you a product which is possibly unsafe without labeling it as to distinguish it from other products that don't elicit the same concerns
A conclusion based on facts not in evidence.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.