GE food dangerous
The economic problems of non-GE farmers from RoundupReady (RR) crops, as described by two Australian farmers will pale into insignificance compared to those that will be caused by the proposed introduction of of RR soy into our food supply if allowed by the Australia and New Zealand Food Safety Authority (ANZFSA).
These are foods that are made from soyabean crops genetically engineered to resist the effects of glyphosate, glufosinate and 24-D. And we should be very, very worried. Why; because:
1. ANZFSA (and other Food Safety Authorities) say these foods are ‘‘equivalent’’ to ordinary foods, therefore do not need to be tested – this is false and there is no legal or scientific definition of this term to validate this claim.
2. No creditable food toxicology trials have been done on these foods.
3. No consideration is taken of the effects of glyphosate (the active ingredient of weedkillers like Roundup) which affect embryonic development, with increased birth defects, miscarriages, infertility, cancer, DNA damage and allergies and neurological problems in children. Nor have the effects of additives like acrylamide, especially in Roundup, which allow the pesticide to stick on the plant and not be washed off, been considered. Acrylamide is a potent nerve toxin in humans and causes birth defects and cancer in animals, and is released when food is heated and cooked.
4. These products have already been found in human and animal blood, organs and milk (not destroyed by pasteurisation) and found to cross the placental barrier.
5. The acceptable daily intake (ADI) of glyphosate is 3X the acceptable level based on objective studies of analysis.
6. All the above detrimental health effects take place at levels that are far less than the allowable residue levels in foods; in 1996 these allowable levels were increased 200X (from 0.1ppm to 20ppm, thus allowing far more toxic pesticide to be sprayed on the crops, and increasing the amount of toxic pesticide in food we eat.
We, and especially our children, are already subject to all sorts of toxins in our food, so why add to the problems we already have.
Please support those people who are taking steps to prevent another disaster.
People should be aware that the two Australian farmers, who have had their farming severely affected by contamination from GE crops grown by their neighbours, will be speaking at a meeting in Hamilton on August 9, at The Trade Union Hall, 7.30 till 9pm.
Anyone interested can contact me on 888 5343 with a view to car pooling and further action to prevent the detrimental effects of GE on agriculture and the health of soil, plants, animals and humans.