G.M.O.s (2nd part)

Organisms that should / must be safe, until proven not to be. This is the undisputable reality. Not the theory, thereby in theory they are (supposedly) approved after being tested. Nevertheless in so many cases the contrary happens and previously approved G.M.O.s are no longer allowed to be sold. This is not working, wherefore we don’t know what we are eating. An example is the recently approved genetically modified salmon able to reach market sizes in half time, thanks to inserted genes. But the overwhelming majority of examples can be found in the vegetables / grains area.

How come they are first sold and then recalled from markets? Exactly because they’re all new products, genetically engineered. Therefore we don’t know their direct health toxicity. Potentially allergic reactions. Toxic properties, stability of the inserted genes. Are nutritional effects superior? What about unintended effects? All questions unanswered. Supposedly answered by producers, whereas on the market real, final effects contradict them “too” many times.

Moreover once sold there is no control (AGAIN: there is only in theory). This particular phenomena is called: outcrossing. Which is the migration of genes from G.M.O.s plants into conventional crops, as well as the mixing of crops derived from conventional seeds with G.M.O.s crops. Plenty of cases have been reported. Search the web. There is just NO (practical) control whatsoever. Period. These products are utterly out of human management.

The law itself is not flawless: individual G.M.O.s and their safety are to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Meaning that is not possible to make general statements on their safety. Thank God the European Union is a step ahead on this side. At least on this.

You might say these are merely my concerns. Yes, they are, but if you consider above example of G.M. salmon, 300 (three hundreds) environmental, consumer, health, animal welfare organizations, and the Center for Food Safety (CFS) were all opposed to it. Not the FDA. Dr. Michael Hansen, Senior Scientist at Consumers Union US declares: “the FDA is relying on woefully inadequate data. There is sloppy science, small sample sizes, and questionable practices”. I think he knows better than me. Plus so, so many others. There are even stores that have pledged not to sell this genetically engineered salmon: Costco, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Target, Kroger.

Jeffrey Smith, Executive Director of the Institute for Responsible Technology, declares: ”the risk of allergies, hormonal disruption, novel proteins and other serious issues, known or unknown, exist in these fast growing, gene-altered salmon”. Which reminds me of one fact: girls have been entering puberty at a much earlier age in the last twenty years. But of course injected hormones in meat or dairy products have nothing to do with it. Besides, in the specific case of G.M. salmon, hormones are not injected. They are “only” genetically-engineered delivered. Why worry then? We are all perfectly safe.

So let me ask you a question: would you consider safe an animal not allowed to be grown in your Country? The breeding of the G.M. salmon is forbidden on US territory. Why?! Is the FDA sure or not about it?! Isn’t it safe?! …..Maybe, just maybe, NOT.

And you will be eating it. Without being aware.

In fact, one thing I cannot understand nor condone: there is no proper labelling. Maybe the answer is in my previous post: “G.M.O.” of October. Don’t worry, my posts were much shorter before - XD.

….Always humble,

Angiolino