Friends stay away from most dangerous Genetically Engineered foods that is being sold in many Shopping Malls and also in local market throughout INDIA.
Documented
Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods
Bhubaneswar: At a meeting Convened at the Conference Hall
of IMAGE, Jeffrey M Smith, renowned author of three bestselling books on the
health risks of genetically engineered food, cautioned the Orissa government
against allowing the commercial production of genetically engineered crops
particularly Bt Brinjal which is poised to be sanctioned very soon. Even field
trials of genetically engineered crops can result in cross pollination and
cause contamination by releasing the inserted gene into the environment and
into other associated crops, he informed, appealing to the government to go in
for confined tests instead.
Jeffrey Smith who is in Bhubaneswar to attend the launch
of the Indian edition of his widely acclaimed book, “Genetic Roulette, The
Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered food”, said he has
lectured to various audiences in 30 countries and had interacted with expert
scientists for thirteen years to fully comprehend and document 65 health risks
as brought out by studies conducted by scientists and evidences collected from
across the globe.
He pointed out how Bt Cotton has adversely affected the
health of farmers and resulted in deaths of cattle, sheep and goats in the
states where it has been permitted. He wondered how the illegal cultivation of
Bt Cotton in Orissa has been allowed to go on without any monitoring and
research to gauze the fallout. He said he was certain that the entire cotton
crop of the state has been contaminated. This crop would also result in health
risks to the general public as cotton seed oil forms a part of most cooking
oils that are regularly consumed.
Among the scientific studies cited were studies on rats
that brought out serious organ disorders, high infant mortality, changes in
intestinal gut flora and deaths. The only human study ever conducted revealed
that inserted genes are getting transferred to intestinal bacteria.
An independent study conducted by the Deccan Development
Society in
has revealed symptoms of reduced food intake, swollen lips, frothy salivation,
nasal discharge, bulging of head and deaths within 25 to 30 days of continuous
Bt Cotton fodder consumption. Similarly in the state of Haryana a study has
revealed that buffaloes suffered prolapsed uterus, premature deliveries,
abortions, reduction in milk output and fat content, change in taste of milk,
and sudden deaths after being fed Bt Cotton fodder and oil seed cakes for a
regular period.
Post mortems on dead animals has revealed holes in lungs
and change in colour of internal organs. The Andhra Pradesh Animal Husbandry
Department has official acknowledged such effects. What is most dangerous,
Smith pointed out, is that there is undigested food in the rumen indicating
that perhaps rumen bacteria are being killed by the Bt toxin. The Bt toxin,
dangerous in itself, becomes 1000 times more toxic during the genetic
engineering process. This toxin has never been approved for mammalian
consumption!
Jeffrey Smith cautioned against the consumption of food
products imported from
and a few other countries that were growing genetically engineered crops. He
said that consuming genetically modified corn, Soya, canola, rape seed
containing products imported from the
and GM papaya from
could be dangerous. The fact that the proposed “GMO Free” labeling
for food products is being resisted by governments makes it very difficult for
consumers to know whether the food they are consuming is safe to eat.
Scientists from the OUAT, Veterinary Surgeons of the
senior policy makers have expressed great concern and displeasure with the
inadequate nature of the bio safety studies conducted by the seed companies
which are the only studies that are being considered by the Government of India
to approve such crops.
Jeffrey Smith pointed out that Dr Pushpa Bhargava, Supreme
Court appointed nominee to oversee the manner of approvals by the GEAC, has
expressed displeasure at the way the approvals have been granted. According to
Dr Pushpa Bhargava, renowned molecular biologist, less than 10% of the required
studies have been done and even these studies have not been done in a proper
manner. Not a single adverse event has been considered.
Smith informed that Dr Bhargava has devised a protocol
that includes a laboratory being set up in
engineered food and crops. These crops, according to Dr Bhargava, are being
commercially released 20 years too soon without having adequate knowledge or
technology to ensure that the intended effects occur and the foods are safe for
human consumption.
The Government of Orissa has requested Jeffrey Smith to
interact with Dr Bhargava and explore the possibility of carrying out the tests
recommended by the molecular biologist in Orissa itself at a meeting where Mr.
Smith expressed his happiness that the Chief Minister of Orissa, a nature
lover, has pledged not to allow Bt Brinjal into the state. He informed senior
officials that the Government of Orissa should protest the decision of the
Centre to impose legislation that would take away the decision making power of
states with regard to agriculture and thus pave the way for introduction of
genetically engineered food and crops into the state.
Senior Agriculture Officials of the State have assured
Jeffrey Smith that the Government is in no mood to allow the entry of GM food
crops into Orissa but there is always the possibility of illegal cultivation as
farmers, longing for a greater income, fall a prey to the promises made by seed
sellers. The same thing has happened with Bt Cotton in Orissa. In such a case,
said Dr Smith, the consumers in Orissa have to give up eating brinjal as it
would be very difficult for the consumer to distinguish between natural brinjal
and its genetically engineered version.
Jeffrey Smith has given us very good insight into the
probable risks associated with genetically engineered food and crops, opined a
senior scientist of the state under conditions of anonymity. We sincerely hope
that the Government of Orissa will do rigorous, unbiased independent scientific
research under the guidance of Dr Pushpa Bhargava so as to protect the health
of all living beings and the environment and also share the findings of such
studies with the public. Bt Cotton has already shown its dark side in Orissa by
rendering the soil infertile and causing allergies in human beings. Cattle in
the districts where Bt Cotton is being grown illegally are dying mysteriously
in large numbers. “Bt Brinjal should definitely be banned in
said a very senior official of the agriculture department of Orissa during his
interaction with Jeffrey Smith.
Living Farms,
Orissa.
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