| kNOwGMOs (formerly HI GEAN OAHU) |
NEWSLETTERS
NEWSLETTER - JULY 2003
Contents:
Hector Valenzuela, Specialist at the University of Hawaii Manoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources,has written a paper in which he says: "Until recently, there has been precious little public discussion in Hawaii (or in the US for that matter) concerning the pros and cons of the widespread adoption of crop biotechnology. Furthermore, the biotech industry has spent considerable PR resources fighting efforts to better inform the public about crop biotechnology."
A 'must read' for anyone concerned about the genetic engineering of
our food. For the complete article go to: www.higean.org/oahu/oped.htm
GO TO www,higean.org/news.htm TO SEE WHAT
BIG ISLAND HAWAIIAN FARMERS ARE DOING TO ENCOURAGE THINKING ABOUT PLANTING
GE PAPAYAS IN THAILAND.
MOLOKAI MARKET BASKETS
tells us that they will soon be doing business as HONOLULU ORGANICS.
You'll be glad you checked out their website at www.molokaiorganics.com
for their excellent Newsletter with health and prevention information,
recipes, food storage tips and information about their wonderful organic
products.
KNOwGMOs' VIDEO LIBRARY
has lent two of our films: "Life of the Soil" and "Not for Sale" to
the folks at the Waimea Valley Arboretum for their viewing and to introduce
to the Outdoor Circle. Members of the Outdoor Circle requested information
about genetic engineering at the time of Steve Druker's talk at Patagonia
on the Northshore (Oahu). These are both very worthwhile videos and we
hope they are enjoying them.
RIGHT TO KNOW ACT
Representative Dennis Kucinich will be sponsoring the Genetically Engineered
Food Right to Know Act in the U.S. House of Representatives very soon.
He will also introduce five other bills that deal with various aspects
of regulating genetically engineered foods.
The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods will issue an ACTION
ALERT before the end of the week. You will be asked to send the ACTION
ALERT e-mail to your House Representative asking him or her to co-sponsor
the legislation. For greater impact, we will also have a printable form
letter you can mail to your House Representative.
www.thecampaign.org
New Report Challenges Fundamentals of Genetic
Engineering
A study released recently reveals a critical, long-overlooked flaw
in the science behind the multi-billion dollar genetic engineering industry,
raising serious questions about the safety of genetically engineered foods.
In a new review of scientific literature reported in the February, 2002, issue of Harper's Magazine, Dr. Barry Commoner, a prominent biologist demonstrates that the bioengineering industry relies on a 40-year-old theory that DNA genes are in total control of inheritance in all forms of life. According to this theory -- the "central dogma" --the outcome of transferring a gene from one organism to another is always "specific, precise and predictable," and therefore safe.
"Genetically engineered crops represent a huge uncontrolled experiment whose outcome is inherently unpredictable," Commoner concludes. "The results could be catastrophic."
Contact: Dr. Barry Commoner, Center for the Biology of Natural Systems,
718-670-4182
Sent to us by: John Schinnerer, MA
Eco-Living -Cultural & Ecological Designing People - Place - Learning
- Integrationjohn@eco-living.net
http://eco-living.net
EU passes tough new GM rules
Thursday, July 3, 2003
BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The European Parliament has approved tough rules
on genetically modified products, a decision that could end a ban on biotech
foods provided they are clearly labeled.
Under the new rules, products with more than 0.9 percent of biotech material would have to be labeled with the words: "This product is produced from GMOs."
The rules approved by the 626-member EU assembly include plans to trace all genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, at all stages of production.
"This is a huge step forward in giving choice to citizens," said EU
Health Commissioner David Byrne. "All foods whether prepackaged, or not,
will have to be labeled."
www.CNN.com/World
Agrochemical Shareholders Call for Corporate
Accountability
June 13, 2003
During the 2003 "Annual Meeting Season," shareholders strongly signaled the three largest agrochemical companies to acknowledge the environmental and health risks of their products. Led by socially responsible investment firms, shareholders at Dow and Monsanto requested detailed information about the handling of dangerous pesticides and byproducts and the possibility of costly lawsuits. Although not legally required, this information helps investors to assess their risk and promotes a corporate commitment to environmental health and safety.
Bayer shareholders, meanwhile, highlighted the board's insufficient
response to a tragic poisoning in Peru.
For the full story, go to: www.panna.org
SARS Virus Genetically Engineered?
The mystery surrounding the SARS Virus deepens.
Dr. Mae-Wan Ho raises questions on whether genetic engineering could
have contributed to creating it.
For the full story and to read the evidence, go to: www.i-sis.org.uk
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That's it for now, but there is a lot happening and we will be back when our mailbox gets full again. Aloha, Bev bvk@lava.net
NEWSLETTER - JUNE 2003
Contents: