Here's a "Roundup" of the latest biotech/GMO news: - Tom Laskawy reports on biotech companies prohibiting scientists from independently researching GMOs... while simultaneously pressuring countries worldwide to accept GMOs as a panacea despite a lack of independent research proving their effectiveness.
- Tom wasn't the only one to cover this news. I just love the headlines given to each piece on the subject. Marion Nestle says Biotech food industry shoots itself in the foot - again!, Ashley at U.S. Food Policy writes about Industry Thwarting Research, and Natasha Chart says If Biotech Had Nothing to Hide.... (Natasha also writes up a diary of frankenfood news with several more headlines.)
- Also from Marion Nestle - genetically-engineered goats! The goats are engineered to produce a human anti-clotting gene called antithrombin in their milk. As Nestle points out, let's hope these goats are carefully kept away from any goats providing milk for cheese - or even for baby goats!
- According to the Institute for Science in Society, Bt Cotton Kills Soil As Well As Farmers. The killing of farmers refers to the high rate of farmer suicides in India.
- The USDA has admitted genetic contamination is inevitable. Um... duh? Well, at least they're admitting it. Now will they do something about it?
- GM genes have contaminated traditional Mexican varieties of corn. This is very upsetting, as Mexico is the ancestral home of corn.
- A great article tells a farmer's perspective on GM crops. In 2005, Monsanto came knocking at his door, demanding documentation and proof that he wasn't illegally growing their GM soy. The article says that some farmers go to GM seeds just to avoid this kind of harassment.
- Here's a story of another farmer - one who is fighting against GM sugarbeets, which he fears will jeopardize his organic status by contaminating his crops.
- By the way, apparently the popular herbicide Roundup, made by Monsanto, is toxic to human cells. Gee, I never would have guessed.
- In the midst of all of this bad news, Monsanto is targeting New Yorkers with an ad campaign, trying to pass of its products as "sustainable." Riiight.
- A report by Center for Food Safety says that Genetically Modified Crops Feed Biotech Giants - Not the Poor. Of course, feeding the poor is the biotech industry's excuse for its own existence.
- How much genetically modified food are we growing worldwide? Here's a summary with the details.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment