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Papaya Contamination Article from the Environmental News Service
(requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
USDA told to disclose 'biopharm' locations
Trinity County, California becomes second county in America to ban GMO plants and animals.
GE varieties have resulted in a net increase of 50 million pounds of pesticides in U.S. agriculture
Union of Concerned Scientists study reveals widespread crop contamination
Mendocino County says no to GMOs
Archived News items
Tillamook, a major dairy company, goes rBGH free!
The Tillamook County Creamery Association's membership voted 83-43 to back up the Board's previous decision to go rBGH-free, effective April 1, 2005 (No kidding!).
After a two-hour discussion, the co-op's members decided to listen to their consumers' wishes rather than Monsanto.
In an incredible display of consumer activism and strength, over 6,500 people commented to Tillamook by phone, e-mail, fax and letter. Over 98% of the comments stressed the desire for the dairy to go rBGH-free! If ever there was a demonstration that this genetically engineered hormone has nothing to offer but increased disease rates in cows and health risks to consumers, this was it.
We really want to thank all of you who responded to Oregon PSR's requests to contact Tillamook. And a double thanks to everyone who sent our alert memo's to others and asked them to do the same. Never in our wildest dreams did we think the ripple effect would go so far.
By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Science Writer
Some Native Hawaiians are expressing concern that genetic engineering of taro could pose a cultural and economic threat to the Hawaiian people.
"Taro is a sacred plant to us. It's absolutely sacred," said Big Island educator Ku Kahakalau. She said taro — kalo, in the native language — is a body form of the Hawaiian god Kane.
Moloka'i activist Walter Ritte Jr. said tradition has taro as an ancestor of the Hawaiian people.
Until recently, most genetic work with taro has involved traditional breeding: crossing one variety with another to develop new varieties with qualities of the parent plants. Such work, for example, might try to combine the disease resistance of one variety with the flavor and large-sized corms of another.
Kahakalau and Ritte said that using genetic-engineering techniques to insert foreign genes into the taro plant is wrong. "You can't change our ancestors without our permission," Ritte said.
They also expressed concern that genetically engineered taro would be patented and that farmers might have to pay a license fee to grow it. "They're trying to own what shouldn't be owned," Ritte said.
University of Hawai'i plant pathologist John Cho, who conducts taro research, said he generally agrees that genetic engineering is neither necessary nor appropriate for taro grown for food. But he said there are instances in which new varieties have been patented, even when grown using traditional techniques.
Cho said he is participating in a trial with the Hawai'i Agricultural Research Center to insert disease-resistance genes from rice into a Chinese taro variety called bun long to develop a hardy ornamental taro.
"I've told people I don't think it's appropriate for food taro. You can improve disease resistance and do the other things we need to do with taro using traditional breeding methods," Cho said.
Stephanie Whalen, director of the Hawai'i Agricultural Research Center, said the research at this point is simply aimed at determining how to do the genetic modification on taro if in the future someone wants it.
"We've been working with the University of Hawai'i on trying to develop a system for working with taro, but we're not working on any traditional Hawaiian varieties. And if people don't want it, it won't go anywhere," Whalen said.
Kahakalau said she has no objection to traditional breeding. "We know that our Hawaiian ancestors hybridized kalo. There is no need to genetically engineer it," she said.
Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 245-3074.
New Research Reveals Widespread GMO Contamination and Threats to Local Agriculture from the University of Hawaii’s GMO Papaya
Outraged Farmers, Consumers and Backyard Papaya Growers Return Contaminated Papayas to the University of Hawaii in Crop Dump
 |
| This wild papaya tree on the Big Island tested positive as a GMO tree |
Hilo , Hawaii -- Independent laboratory testing results released today reveal widespread contamination from the world’s first commercially planted genetically engineered tree, the papaya, on Oahu , the Big Island , and Kauai . Contamination was also found in the stock of non-genetically engineered seeds being sold commercially by the University of Hawaii .
Farmers, health professionals, concerned citizens, and University of Hawaii scientists joined GMO-Free Hawaii in announcing the shocking results of their research at the University of Hawaii , which created and released the GMO papaya. Dozens of outraged farmers, consumers and backyard growers brought their contaminated papayas back to the university to underscore their demand that UH provide a plan for cleaning up papaya contamination. The coalition also called for liability protection for local growers and the prevention of GMO contamination of other Hawaiian commodity crops.
All samples were tested by Genetic ID, one of the world’s leading scientific laboratories for genetic testing. Composite samples from the Big Island and Oahu both revealed GMO contamination. Nearly 20,000 papaya seeds from across the Big Island, 80% of which came from organic farms and the rest from backyard gardens or wild trees, showed a contamination level of 50%. Oahu ’s composite of papayas, primarily from organic farms, showed contamination of over 5%, and trace levels of contamination were found on an organic farm on Kauai . One package of seed of the Solo Waimanalo papaya, a non-genetically engineered variety purchased directly from the University of Hawaii , also tested positive for GMO contamination.
“It is an outrage that UH is selling contaminated papaya seeds to our local farmers and growers,” said Toi Lahti, an organic farmer and papaya grower from the Big Island . “Not only could organic farmers lose their certification by growing genetically engineered papayas, GMO papaya seeds are also patented by Monsanto among others. This opens farmers to oppressive lawsuits based on claims of patent infringement, where corporations such as Monsanto have not hesitated to sue even those who unknowingly planted such seeds.”
“These tests indicate that UH’s non-GMO seed stock is contaminated, and so there can be no doubt that the University must take immediate action to protect farmers, consumers and the environment,” said Mark Query of GMO-Free Hawaii. “Papaya contamination is a case study in the threat that GMO contamination presents to local agriculture. It is now clear that coexistence of traditional and GMO crops is impossible.”
Farmers raised concerns about the impact the contamination crisis could have on export markets, particularly to countries like Japan that have stringent regulations about importing genetically engineered crops. “The Big Island is home to most of the commercial GMO papaya fields in the state,” said Melanie Bondera, a farmer from Kona and member of the Hawaii Genetic Engineering Action Network. “The continued planting of GMO crops risk giving Hawaiian agriculture an undeservedly bad reputation in major export markets around the world.”
Dr. Lorrin Pang , MD, MPH, a public health specialist, discussed potential human health threats posed by the GMO papaya and other GMO foods, including increased antibiotic resistance and unexpected allergenic reactions. “All of these concerns are troubling in themselves, but they would be less worrisome if the GMO mutations did not spread beyond our intentions. Today's report shows that they do,” Dr. Pang said. “If a health problem arises that is attributable to GMO foods, it will be impossible to recall such a live, dangerous mutation once it has been released into the environment.”
Dr. Hector Valenzuela , a scientist specializing in tropical crops from UH Manoa’s Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, asserted that the University’s focus on promoting genetic engineering is steering Hawaiian agriculture in the wrong direction. “Instead of supporting untested technologies like genetic engineering, the University of Hawaii should redirect their resources to focus on researching and promoting workable, non-GMO solutions to local agricultural problems. Hawaii farmers need agricultural advances that can protect their farms and our state’s agricultural economy over the long run.”
Bondera outlined the campaign being launched by GMO-Free Hawaii based on these contamination results. “The University and the biotechnology industry have touted the GMO papaya as an unmitigated success for local papaya growers; the true story of Hawaiian farmers’ experience with the GMO papaya, however, is a far bleaker story. Despite the problems local growers have had with the GMO papaya, the University is now genetically engineering taro, pineapple, banana, sugarcane, and other commodity crops,” said Bondera. “The problems with GMO papaya contamination show us that there are too many unanswered questions about agricultural biotech to be releasing new experimental genetically engineered organisms into our environment. We do not support the further release of other genetically engineered commodity crops, and a commitment from the University to fund research into local, sustainable agriculture.”
USDA told to disclose 'biopharm' locations
By Sean Hao
Advertiser Staff Writer
The federal government must reveal where companies grow genetically modified pharmaceutical crops in Hawai'i, a judge ruled yesterday.
Public interest groups are seeking the information to force the government to study the environmental impact of the crops they see as potentially dangerous. The government and industry contend public disclosure could lead to crop vandalism and corporate espionage of trade secrets.
After weighing the arguments, U.S. District Judge David Ezra ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to identify where four companies have received permits for open-field testing of pharmaceutical crops in Hawai'i and to reveal the locations to the environmental watchdog group Earthjustice and the Center for Food Safety, a nonprofit that challenges food production technologies.
"It's definitely a victory," said Isaac Moriwake, an attorney for Earthjustice. "It's basically an affirmation that the defendants haven't been able to show that this kind of information is confidential."
Ezra gave the USDA another 90 days to prove that releasing the locations to the public would cause irreparable damage to the biotech industry. That step could force biotech companies to look elsewhere to conduct their pharmaceutical crop tests, a biotech industry representative said yesterday.
"It's disappointing," said Lisa Dry, a spokeswoman for the Biotechnology Industry Organization. If crop locations were made public, it would be "a real detriment for continuing to do business in that area. Basically it would be viewed as an unfriendly business environment for technology of any sort."
Earthjustice sought the locations of so-called biopharms to force the USDA to conduct environmental impact statements before allowing open-field crop research. Biopharming is a relatively new area of research where plants are engineered to produce nonfood items, such as drugs or industrial chemicals. Without confirmation of the locations, Earthjustice would have difficulty making the case for an environmental impact statement.
Ezra said yesterday that the locations of such tests don't constitute confidential business information. He also said the government and the Biotechnology Industry Organization failed to provide sufficient evidence that such crops would be damaged if their locations were revealed.
Representatives for both sides of the issue said this would be the first time in the United States that locations of biopharm tests would be revealed to an outside party. That could set a precedent for similar disclosures in other states and could pave the way for disclosing the locations of all genetically modified crop research.
In Hawai'i, Monsanto Co., the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, ProdiGene Inc. and Garst Seed Co. have been granted permits to test biopharm crops. Under Ezra's order, the locations of the testing will be disclosed to Earthjustice, but they must keep the information confidential for at least 90 days.
Environmental groups and food processors contend that open-field testing of biopharm crops is racing ahead of what is known about potential risks to the environment, people and the food supply. Industry officials contend that government regulations sufficiently minimize such risks.
Dry said research into using plants to produce drugs or industrial chemicals holds promise for producing compounds cheaper and faster than in factories. The seed-crop industry employs an estimated 1,190 people in Hawai'i in relatively high-wage jobs. In the past decade, the value of the state's seed-crop industry, 40 percent of which is estimated to involve genetically engineered crops, has grown fivefold, to a record $50.5 million. The amount spent on biopharm crop tests is unknown, but represents a small fraction of the industry in Hawai'i.
Hawai'i leads all states in open-air test sites of genetically engineered crops.
Michael Rodemeyer, executive director for the independent Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology, said there are strong arguments on both sides of the disclosure issue.
"Certainly there are ways to make more information available to consumers," he said. "It's not clear that crop location information is really going to help people understand more about what these safety issues are.
"It may give them a greater sense of confidence, but that has to in turn be weighed against the potential that these crops could end up being destroyed which may end up spreading some of these crops around."
Reach Sean Hao at shao@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8093.
Trinity County, California becomes second
county in America to ban GMO plants and animals.
TRINITY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS VOTES TO Ban
GENETICALLY ENGINEERED CROPS AND ANIMALS
Organic Consumers Association 8/3/2004
Today Trinity County, California became only the second county in the nation to ban the growing of genetically engineered (GE) crops and animals. By a vote of 3-1, Trinity County Supervisors elected to ban GE crops and animals in an effort to protect Trinity’s local economy and environment.
The proposed ordinance is supported by a broad spectrum of Trinity residents, including people in commercial agricultural, businesses, home gardeners, nurseries, social workers, investment, computer and health professionals, housewives, students, church people, teachers, activists, government employees, storeowners.
“Today’s vote is in keeping with the tradition in Trinity County over 25 years of passing ordinances to protect the well being of its citizens,“ said Susan Bower, local farmer and ban proponent.
“Trinity’s vote for a sustainable and sound agriculture economy is an important first step in reclaiming control of our food supply, ”said Doug Mosel, GMO Free Mendocino coordinator and spokesperson for the BioDemocracy Alliance. “This sends a clear message that local, safe production is the responsibility of all.”
Trinity County’s decision reflects a growing movement across America to defend local agriculture, biodiversity and human health. Four other California counties will vote in December to ban genetically engineered crops in their county, while dozens of counties across the country are advancing “GE Free” Zones. “BioDemocracy is spreading throughout the California and the United States,” said Ryan Zinn, campaign director for the Organic Consumers Association and spokesperson for the BioDemocracy Alliance. “In light of the lack of regulation at both the federal and state agencies of these GE crops, Trinity’s Supervisors had the foresight to create a ban to protect their citizens.”
Trinity County’s ban goes into effect 30 days from
its passage.
Contact information for Trinity County representatives:
Drew Franklin: 530-623-2656
Joseph Bower: 530-628-5004
GE varieties have resulted in a net increase of 50 million pounds of pesticides in U.S. agriculture
The genetic engineering industry often claims
that genetic engineering reduces the use of pesticides.
However, a November 2003 study of pesticide use on genetically
engineered corn, soybeans and
cotton reports that these GE varieties have resulted in a net
increase of 50 million pounds of
pesticides in U.S. agriculture. The study, which draws on official
US Department of Agriculture data,
is the first comprehensive study of the impacts of major commercial
GE crops on pesticide use in the
US.
To read the full study, please go to
http://www.biotech
info.net/technicalpaper6.html
Union of Concerned Scientists study reveals widespread crop contamination
In February, 2004, the Union of Concerned Scientists released
a groundbreaking pilot study that found genetically engineered DNA is
contaminating traditional seeds of three major U.S. crops. Seed
contamination, if left unchecked, could disrupt agricultural trade,
unfairly burden the organic industry, and allow hazardous materials
into the food supply.
To find out more, please visit
http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_environment/biotechnology/seed_release.
html.
Mendocino County says no to GMOs
Despite a huge influx of money from the industry to defeat Measure H, Mendocino County's ballot initative to ban GMO crops, the people triumphed and Mendocino became the first county in the nation to say no to all GMO plants and animals in their election March 2nd. Congratulations to Mendocino, and let this victory serve as a reminder of the power of people working together to make change in their community
For more information, please visit
http://www.gmofreemendo.com/press_releases/2004-03-03.html