Home Page  Biodiversity Genetic Modification
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Genetic Modification |
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Written by The ISSA
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Tuesday, 30 November 2004 |
Keeping Irish agricultural production safe
The Irish Seed Saver Association (ISSA) believes there is a very invidious threat
to our sources of seed and food security:- Genetically Modified (GM) crops.
GENETIC MODIFICATION IS NOT TRADITIONAL PLANT BREEDING.
Traditional plant breeding takes pollen from one plant with some desirable trait
and uses it to fertilise another plant (of the same species), which carries a
different desirable trait in the hope of producing offspring that carry both desirable
traits. Genetic modification takes a gene of one species and blasts it into the
DNA strand of a completely unrelated species e.g. DNA from a bacteria into a maize
plant. In natural circumstances these two organisms would never breed.
WHY IS GM A THREAT?
1. GM technology is based on a 40 year old hypothesis that has been proven to
be inaccurate. In the 1960s, the double helix structure of, DNA was discovered
by Watson & Crick who put forward the ‘Central Dogma’ theory which
states that each gene, coded for its own, single, unique protein dictates one
characteristic/trait in the organism. It was estimated, by biologists, that the
number of proteins in the human body was approximately 100,000 and it was therefore
predicted that there would be the same number of genes. However the multi-million
$ Human genome Project published in June 2000 reported that humans only carried
30,000 genes (a mustard weed plant has 26,000). However by this time the biotechnology
companies had been pumping money into the development of genetic engineering for
over 15 years, so instead of being the death knell of the industry the information
was side lined and business as usual pertained.
The fact that one gene can create multiple proteins explains some of the surprises
that genetic engineers are incessantly faced with. To make a protein the gene
dictates that particular amino acids are assembled in a particular order but
when necessary the amino acids get reassembled by a process known as alternative
splicing and an entirely new protein is thus formed. In this way hundred, or
even thousands of proteins can be created by a single gene. This is not an arbitrary
phenomenon – it has become precise over aeons of evolutionary activity
in each organism.
Now, when a foreign gene makes its appearance in an organism, through genetic
engineering it begins to assemble amino acids as though it were functioning
in its natural environment. In all likelihood alternative splicing will occur
and, the amino acids will be rearranged and no-one knows what protein will be
created and what effect it will have on the host organism immediately or in
future generations. While scientists were certain that a single gene created
only one protein they could confidently insert that gene into another species
and be sure that it would create that unique protein. The biotechnology industry
was developed on that premise, on foot of that surety. But the scientists were
wrong!!
In addition to alternative splicing there are other modifying influences on
the creation of proteins, which are too complicated to detail in this short
talk. These complex processes have evolved in a harmonious relationship over
a long evolutionary period and been subject to thousands of years of testing
in nature but when a gene is transferred from one organism into the DNA of a
totally unrelated species (bacteria to maize) the plants system is very different
from that of the bacteria and the harmonious interdependence of genes in their
natural environment id likely to be disrupted in unspecified, imprecise unpredictable
and dangerous ways.
The destruction caused by man’s interference with the earth’s ecology
will be as nothing compared to the damage done by the clumsy, ignorant, profit
motivated interference in the delicately tuned and intricate system of genetics
that has evolved over millennia, the arrogance of the commercially interested
parties is breathtaking. Many scientists would agree that the study of genetics
is in its infancy and that the science should remain in the laboratory until
adequate research, development and safety testing has been completed.
2. The science of genetic engineering is dominated by the demands of the biotechnology
companies. There are untold incidences of scientists being subverted and bullied
by and scientific procedures being dictated by short- term commercial interests.
The support of politicians and academic establishments has been bought. One
of the most blatant examples concerns our current government;
In a joint statement made on 26th April 1997, Fianna Fail spokesman for agriculture,
Joe Walsh TD and spokesman for the Environment Noel Dempsey set out their positions
on the development and sale of GM food, crops and livestock as follows:
"We are deeply concerned about the development and sale of genetically
modified organisms whether they are used in agriculture, food, or food processing.
It is our position that it is premature to release genetically modified organisms
into the environment or to market foods which contain any genetically modified
ingredients or where genetically modified organisms have been used in the production
of food.
Current scientific knowledge is inadequate to protect the consumer and the environment
from the unpredictable and potentially disastrous effects which may appear immediately
or at any time in the future.
The principle of ‘substantial equivalence’ governing the testing
and labelling of genetically modified foods requires that only known potential
hazards are tested. Therefore unexpected toxins will be identified only when
a unique health crisis occurs. This will be too late for victims.
Fianna Fail will not support what amounts to the largest nutritional experiment
in human history with the consumer as guinea pig. Where are the long term studies
on the effects on human health and the environment of genetically modified foods?
The effects of genetically modified crops and food are well documented. They
include;
• Unexpected toxins and allergens in food
• Increased use of chemicals on crops
• Contamination of water and food
• The creation of ’super weeds’ – herbicide resistant
weeds
• Damage to the ecology of the soil
• Loss of biodiversity and consequent damage to the food chain
What are the benefits to human health? The claims of the bio-tech
industry are not supported by independent research or by the general scientific
community. Fianna Fail is not opposed to scientific research. We appreciate that
there may be valuable medical applications from genetic engineering.
We believe, however that it is wise to be conservative and put safety first.
The rush to market with genetically modified foods is unscientific, unseemly,
and premature. Prevention is wise because cure is impossible. Genetically modified
organisms once released can never be recalled.
Fianna Fail supports:
A moratorium on the release of genetically modified organisms into the environment
and on the marketing of any foods which contain any genetically modified ingredients,
or which was produced using any genetically modified organism.
In the meantime full disclosure labelling which allows consumers to choose what
they eat and help doctors diagnose the cause of any health problems that may
arise."
But in August 1998 after Fianna Fail were re-elected to power and these two
spokesmen had become ministers, the government issued a position paper on genetic
engineering stating precisely the opposite position
"The area of Irish economic interest where biotechnology, particularly
modern biotechnology/genetic modification, has greatest potential is in agriculture….."
Our government voted in favour of legalising the first GM food and animal feed
(Syngenta’s controversial Bt 11 maize) for release in the EU on 8th Dec
1998, despite the fact that the Oireachtas Committee on Health & Children
had asked both the Dept. of Health & the European Commission to refuse permission
to market the Bt11 maize. Thankfully the vote was rejected by a qualified majority
of EU states. Perhaps all politicians aren’t so easily bought.
What happened between April 1997 & August 1998?
Bertie Ahern went to New York for the St. Patrick’s Day parade in March
1998. Whilst there he lunched with the national security Advisor council director,
Sandy Berger, the topic of conversation was Berger chose to focus on was the
need to get the maize vote through the EU parliament and later when he met Senator
Bond from Missouri and other congressmen the issue discussed was GM maize. According
to Tony Moffett a former congressman and now a Monsanto man ‘Everywhere
he went, before people wished him a ‘Happy St Patrick’s Day’
they asked him, ‘What about that corn vote?’
The change of opinion on GM was never justified to the electorate.
Another great cause of concern is the paucity of media coverage on the GM issue
in Ireland. One would expect the Irish Times to be instrumental in publicly
discussing the issue – but there is a resounding silence. One of the Board
members of the Irish Times is David McConnell, professor of genetics at TCD
and with Sam McGeldon a co-director of European Action for Global Life Sciences
(EAGLES) - a biotechnology lobby group. One wonders if there could be a conflict
of interest issue here.
3. GM is not containable
‘The results (of GM) will be essentially new organisms, self perpetuating
and hence permanent. Once created they cannot be recalled’ George Wald former
Higgins professor of Biology at Harvard & Nobel Laureate in Medicine.
When the newly created organisms interbreed with related conventional and wild
varieties the result will be the permanent contamination of whole species. Agriculture
does not take place in a laboratory, pollen, seed and food all travel and often
in unpredictable ways. Seed can often stay in the ground for years before germinating
so tracking a particular planting is impossible. The biotechnology industry’s
interest lies in pushing GM crops as quickly and as widely as possible across
the globe. It has raced to get GM crops into the field before biosafety regulations
and public opposition set in. To this end the industry has turned a blind eye
to illegal trading of GM seeds in countries (usually in the Southern hemisphere)
where government approval has not been finalised in an attempt to make the global
acceptance of GM crops a fait accompli. The most practical and cost effective
way to avoid contamination is not to grow GM crops.
4. Health hazards
We don’t know the extent of potential health risks because the research
to determine them has not been done. GM proponents claim there are no risks but
as humans have been eating GM for less than one generation we have no idea about
cumulative and inherited problems and no research has been done to determine if
current health problems are related to consuming GM foods. Trials that have been
done involving animals have been very few and of very short duration and only
about a dozen have been peer reviewed animal feeding safety studies. Often the
design of the research experiments are funded and dictated by the industry and
are neither, extensive or deep enough. If the results of research don’t
appear to support the desired outcome of the funder, the work can be halted or
the results consigned to oblivion. Only known allergens are tested for, yet, as
explained earlier, new allergens can be the produced by GM technology and no-one
knows what effect these might have.
A January 2001 report from an expert panel of the Royal Society of Canada said
it was ‘scientifically unjustifiable’ to presume that GM foods are
safe, and that the ‘default prediction’ for any GM food is the creation
of unintended side effects. They called for safety testing looking for short
and long term human toxicity, allergens and other health effects.
5. The Southern Hemisphere
The biotechnology companies seem determined to get GM crops growing throughout
the continents of Africa and Asia – again an attempt at a fait accompli.
The claim that the industry will feed the world is particularly hard to swallow.
What they are really aiming for is to own the whole means of production and as
in the past, when multi-national agro chemical companies have interfered in southern
hemisphere countries the loser is the farmer and what he loses is his land.
CONCLUSION
I apologise for the very superficial coverage of the last 2 points – strict
time restrictions. For more information please see www.gmfreeireland.ie . GM FREE
IRELAND is an organisation established by Michael O’Callaghan and personally
funded by him. Michael was concerned about the lack of information and media coverage
on the GM issue in Ireland and worried that Gm organisms would be introduced into
the country against the wishes of the citizens & his fears seem to be well
founded. At present there is a big push by the biotechnology industry to force
the EU to lift its moratorium on genetically modified organisms under the guise
of ‘free trade’. At the end of November there is to be a vote in on
this issue in the EU – how much do you know about it? To find out see Michael’s
web site and then contact your MEP in an attempt to have your voice heard.
However before I finish I want to appeal to you all never to buy flowers from
supermarkets, most of which are grown in Kenya. I was chatting to William Keyah
(the speaker from Kenya) at lunch time and he confirmed what I had heard some
years ago. Flowers are grown, on a commercial basis on huge areas of land that
would be well suited to food production. The working conditions would not be tolerated
in Europe, pesticide, herbicide and fertilisers are used in such quantities that
staff can only manage to work one week in two and an average working life is less
than 5 years – then the people return to their home villages and no-one
follows up what happens to them after that.
The cocktail of chemicals used in the industry is poisoning the ground
water and the excessive amounts of water used by the industry are causing local
shallow bored wells to run dry. Use your consumer power to stop this
evil situation – you can get seeds from ISSA and grow your own flowers at
home.
{mos_sb_discuss:8} |
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