[Grovenet] Organic vs conventional vs GMO

Mon Mar 9 20:40:30 PDT 2009

I got this from a friend in Alaska today, she is normally a very reliable source, at any rate, here is what she had to say:

GMOs Make “”Species Jump””

Genes from
genetically modified crops can “”jump”” into the bodies of

the
animals eating those crops, according to a study that will be published soon in
Germany. In the study, a zoology professor at the University of Jena found that
bees that had eaten canola modified to be resistant to the weed killer Round Up
had taken that resistance “”into their own genetic make-up,”” according to an
interview he gave to a German television station. He said it was rare, but that
it did happen. Asked if his findings meant anything for humans who eat GMOs,
Hans

 Heinrich
Kaatz said, “”maybe...but I am not an expert in this area.””

This study
- three years in the making - is the first to show genes

jumping
the species barrier. Government officials in England - prompted by local
newspapers - said they wouldn’t comment until after the study is published in a
scientific journal. Anti-GMO activists pounced on the news, saying that the
study shows how little is known about the modifications, even though they are already
in wide use around the world, particularly in the USA. Experts said the
research - which has yet to be reviewed by other scientists - is significant
because it suggests that all types of bacteria could become contaminated by
genes used in genetically modified technology, including those that live

inside the
human digestive system. If this happens, it could hinder the good bacteria’s
role in helping the human body fight disease, aid digestion and facilitate
blood clotting. The alien gene Kaatz studied is used to modify canola - among
other things - making it resistant to antibiotics. By jumping to bacteria in
the digestive tract, the gene could render doctors unable to treat meningitis
or E-coli infections with antibiotics, other scientists warned. Ulrike Riedel,
of the German health ministry, told a London newspaper the experiments should
be taken “”very seriously”” adding: “”This kind of study is a good reason why
we should not assume that GMOs are acceptable.

The USDA
said it will help give some credence to claims that products

are made
without the use of genetically modified ingredients. The

agency
announced last month that it would grant accreditation to labs

doing
tests on GMOs.  The USDA’s Grain
Inspection Packers and stockyards Administration will review, upon request,
labs testing grains for GMOs and will accredit those laboratories that meet
performance standards. In addition, the agency will evaluate test kits against
the

manufacturer’s
specifications for determining the presence of GMOs

in bulk
grain to ensure that these tests are accurate and reliable.

The test
services will be provided for a fee.

EDITOR’S
NOTE: Keep in mind, the USDA is 100% in favor of genetically modified foods
(GMOs). The question becomes...how credible will be their involvement in these
tests?

Article
By: Scott C. Yates

Source:
Natural Foods Merchandiser, July 2000.

>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com [mailto:grovenet- 
> bounces at rdrop.com] On
> Behalf Of chuck
> Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2009 6:46 PM
> To: Forest Grove local interests list
> Subject: Re: [Grovenet] Organic vs conventional vs GMO
>
> Unfortunately, it's not so easy to avoid GMO foods.  The top 2  
> crops are
> Soybeans and Corn.  What isn't made into processed foods (partially
> hydrogenated soybean oil, high fructose corn syrup) is made into  
> animal
> feed.  If you eat processed foods (in a can, box, or package) it's
> probably got one of the two ingredients in it - along with a long list
> of additives, preservatives, and coloring.  And most of the meat we  
> eat
> comes from factory farms - which is fed the GMO animal feeds, and  
> worse.
>
> Pretty much the only way to eat safe (or should I say to KNOW what you
> are eating) anymore is to grow your own, and become Vegetarian or
> Vegan.  The thread I saw earlier about starting a community garden  
> is a
> GREAT idea.
>
> Dr. Mercola's site has a lot of good info as does NaturalNews.com.
>
> Good books on the subject include The China Study, Omnivore's Dilemma,
> Diet for a New America, Food Revolution.
>
> Great documentaries are King Corn, Dying to have Known, Simply Raw,  
> Food
> Matters.
>
> When I was in my Computer Store, and ate out at Quiznos, Cornerstone,
> Pac Ave etc every day - I was the poster boy for the Standard American
> Diet.  And I topped 225 lbs.  Today I am a Vegetarian.  I stopped
> drinking soda and try to stay away from processed foods. especially
> HFCS.  I quit eating all meat and instead eat tons of veggies and
> fruit.  Organic if I can afford it and as locally grown as possible.
> New Seasons has a really good selection.  Fred Meyer's not too bad
> either.  Safeway?  I avoid altogether.  Winco's not too bad but you
> gotta watch what you are buying and know where it coming from.
>
> I said I topped 225 pounds.  My weight today is 188lbs.  That's a net
> loss of 37 pounds.  And if I can do it - anyone can do it.
>
> The Standard American Diet is killing us.  Heart Disease, Cancer,
> Diabetes, Obesity, Osteoporosis -  So now let's genetically alter some
> genes and see what that does to us.  I like being a Guinea Pig
>
> Good article Martha
>
>
>
> Martha Khoury wrote:
>> How to know which is which... (Found this interesting tidbit on Dr.
>> Mercola's Newsletter.) --MK
>>
>> The little stickers on fruits and vegetables have digits that let you
>> know whether they're conventionally grown or organic, and if
they're
>> genetically modified (GM). There are many benefits to knowing this
>> information:
>>
>> . The health risks -- GM foods have been in stores only since the
>> 1990s, so the long-term health risks are unknown
>> . The environmental risks -- Scientists are concerned that GMOs will
>> reduce biodiversity
>> . The taste benefits -- People all over the world agree that the  
>> range
>> of possible flavors is greater without a few GM foods crowding out  
>> the
>> many natural varieties
>>
>> Here's what you should look for:
>>
>> . A four-digit number means the produce is conventionally grown
>> . A five-digit number beginning with 9 means it's organic
>> . A five-digit number beginning with 8 means it's GM
>>
>>
>> Sources:
>>    Ideal Bite January 30, 2009
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>
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