Interesting Information: July 9, 2011
GMO Foods Have Not Been Tested Properly
Philip Bereano, PhD, is a professor emeritus at the University of Washington and an engaged activist concerning genetically modified (GM) foods. I saw this quote from him in the July/August 2011 issue of Well Being Journal and tracked down the whole interview, which is on Dr. Joseph Mercola’s web site: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/04/02/dr-philip-bereano-on-gmos.aspx.
Bereano said the following:
The problem with calling genetically engineered organisms safe is that there are no valid risk assessments being done on them. There is no research, really, being done into the health or environmental effects of a genetically engineered organism. Certainly no work that is published in the open peer-reviewed literature, or that isn’t proprietary. Corporations promoting these things claim that they have done research, but you can’t get any information on it because it’s all claimed to be proprietary.
The whole interview is worth a scan because Bereano is arguing that what is coming clear is that there is a deliberate corporate strategy being carried out with government help to corner the markets on seeds and to drive organic farmers out of the market by the simple process of contamination.
Don’t scream “conspiracy theory” because while there may be some conspiracy going on here, what’s really occuring is the normal working of the logic of unfettered capitalism–which seeks to control all markets, to drive out all competitors, and to colonize any part of the economy so that it functions as a profit center.
Bereano addressed the claims that GMO foods can “feed the world” and that they are cheaper and shows that neither claim is true.
In May 2009, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine called for a ban on the use of GMO foods: http://www.aaemonline.org/gmopressrelease.html. Members are seeing increasing levels of serious health problems they believe to be connected to GMO foods.
What’s really disturbing is that GM foods don’t have to be labeled–which is another argument for buying local from people you trust. Be especially careful with corn–especially corn chips. Be sure to choose organic corn chips. And do take a moment to read about this issue so that you understand what is at stake for you and your beloveds.
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