Transgenic  Foods

GENETIC ENGINEERING'S IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN ANY OTHER TECHNOLOGIES

It was requested by Dr. Fogan that all releasing of genetically organisms be suspended for the next 50 years. At least until enough information about its iniquity be gathered.

Safety controls will never be adequate enough. Modified organisms can never be withdrawn from the environment and its effects have no limit. People may possibly begin to consume genetically  manipulated foods and  may be at risk.

Scientific facts show the need for its immediate banning.

Since the genetic code so immensely complicated, including in very simple organisms such as bacteria, it is impossible to predict the consequences of introducing new genes in any type of plant or animal. This is due the transferred gene which can act and function in a different way once inside the organism. The receptor organisms original genetic intelligence is broken by the new combination. Therefore, it is impossible to know the global and long term  effects of these foods over health and over those that eat them.

These are some of the known facts:

1.- It is dangerous to artificially transfer genes from a specie to another.

Biotechnology companies all legate that their manipulations are similar to genetic natural changes of to traditional reproduction techniques. Inter-specie genetic transfers, ex fish and tomatoes, including other non-related species, would not naturally occur. This may create toxins, diseases and weaknesses. This experiment's guinea pig is the public.

Biotechnology companies also allegate their methods are precise and sophisticated. However, the genetic insertion methods still have an aleatory element involved. Genetic research shows that many plant, animal and human weakness come from small genetic code imperfections.

Therefore, based on assurances from important scientists, the side effects and accidents are inevitable.

Ref. Palmiter, R.D. et al , 1986. Annual Review of Genetics ose, T, Et al , 1995 Int, Journal Food Science Tech. 30 : 141

2.-Health damaging and unpredictable effects. 

When a new gene is inserted into any organism by a scientist, there is a position effect that brings along an unpredictable genetic function and expression model with it. The protein created by this newly inserted gene can cause unexpected reactions and produce potentially toxic chemicals. The dangers of using genetically manipulated as transport vehicle for transgenic plant and animal production, is also a concern. The genome could be destabilized and create horizontal genetic transfers could occur to other species, including mammals; this might create new and dangerous diseases, antibiotic resistance and serious immunes reactions. 

Ref. Green ,A.E. et al , 1994, Science 236 :1423. Osbourn ,J.K. et al , 1990 Virology 179 :921 Nae-Wan Ho. 1996. Biology Dept. Open University

3.- Genetic manipulated products are riskier than traditional foods. 

Foods that were usually safe to eat receive dangerous new allergens and fatal toxins from the genetic engineering processes. Genetically manipulated Soy seed has been found to cause  serious allergic reactions; also, manipulated bacteria, used to produce large amounts of food supplements, cause the triptofane, that produced toxic contaminants, killing 37 people and disabling more than 1500 in the United States.  The only manipulated bacteria with lethal consequences is the triptofane, produced via genetic manipulation. All 37 died in a few months.  In 1989, the consumption of this aminoacid triptofane, left more than 1500 people disabled.   Athletes had been consuming this product as food supplement. One of the producers, Japanese company by the name of  Showa Denko, used fermented natural bacteria  to produce it .  It was discovered that genetically treating  the bacteria produced the triptofane in  a more efficient manner. The new triptofane was allowed by the FDA to be put on the market again, without any previous testing. After all, it was just a differently produced triptofane. This was the cause of all the tragedies.  More aminoacid was produced by this genetically manipulated bacteria, it also would induce it to produce more dangerous toxins. 

Once consumed, it would affect the immune system. Some suffered cognitive defects, emotional problems, paralysis, cardiac problems, rheumatism and arthritis. 

Ref. Nordlee , J.A. et al 1996 The New England Journal of Medicine 688. Nayeno, A.N. et al. 1994 Tibtech 12 :364

4.- Food and potable water contamination increase

It is estimated that 57% of the researches done by biotechnology companies, is to develop herbicide resistant plants. This will cause an increment by 3 times, of the use of herbicide. Its will also increase the levels of chemicals in foods and potable water

5.- Genetic engineering damaging effects to the health will be eternal

Genetic pollution's effects will never be eliminated as compared to chemical contamination. Genetic mistakes move to the next generation of each species. 

6.-Insuficient and Inadequate Legislation

Government regulating organisms, according to biotechnology companies, will always protect consumers. However, there have been previous cases that were officially approved but had tragic results (DDT, Thalidomide, L-Triptofane, etc). American investigators recently found that 80% of supermarket milk contained medications residue, illegal antibiotics and hormones, including genetically manipulated  hormones from bovine growth (Responsible for the death of many cows from a muscular disease). The facts show that government officials are not protecting the public. This shown by not informing this correctly and by not taking appropriate sticter measures in food control. 
Ref. Epstein ,S.S.1996 .Int.Jour. Health Services, 26 :173

7.- Ethical preoccupations

Transferring genes from animals to plants creates important ethical problems for vegetarians and religious groups. Experimenting with animals could also be unacceptable to many people. 

8.- Genetic transferring between species and the competition of new species could harm the environment. 

Introducing new genetic information into plants, bacteria, insects and other animals, could very easily travel to new related organisms. Ex. Crossed Polinization. This process is called super weeding. Current species can be moved from the ecosystem with disastrous effects. A similar situation occurred with ¨klebsiella¨. Genetically manipulated ground bacteria. 

In order to produce their own pesticides, recent cultivations are being modified. This will cause resistant insects to appear and will cause the destruction of excessive useful insects and ground animals. The plant produced pesticide may be harmful for consumers. 

Ref. Nature 380 :31. Skogsmyr, 1.1994. Theoretical and Applied Genetics. 88 :770. Hama, H.Et al.1992. Appled & Zoology.27 :355

9.-Inadequate security at research installations.

Most European Community countries have investigation institutes with poor protection to prevent genetically manipulated experimental organisms from escaping. Seeds can be transported by wind or birds. It is impossible for anyone to completely isolate themselves from genetic manipulation. 

A world threat for human feeding

Introducing genetically manipulated foods is equal to an dangerous international experiment. 

More the one hundred transgenic foods will be commercialized in the US before the year 2000.

Short-term profits have a higher level of priority than the health and safety of the people.

This may cause unpredicted and irreversible lack of food and large scale  threat to health. 

There is no scientific justification for the sudden transformation of almost all foods via irreversible genetic manipulation.

Plants genetic structure has been feeding humanity for millenniums. Altering the genetic code of foods is irresponsible and a scientific arrogance that can become a life threat. It is very simple to destroy the delicate balance between our physiology and the food we eat, as well a the previously mentioned ecosystem.

There is an enormous justification for an immediate prohibition against all genetically modified organism in order to preserve our health. 

Genetically treated foods are been introduced without taking health into account; however its possible damaging effects are irreversible. It is quite clear that a prohibition against genetically manipulated foods and deadline regarding the distribution of genetically manipulated is essential to protect our health. Authorities must be required to exercise the control mechanisms and perform their job relentless against the commercial and political situations. European countries are prohibiting this product types and related companies will probably search for less stricter markets, like South America, considering their lack of information about this topic. 

Meanwhile, foods containing any transgenic ingredient will be required to have a sticker.

A complete and clear sticker would allow consumers to pick what they eat. It also helps scientists to find a source to the problems these foods create.

REFERENCES: Genetic Engineering, the Hazards, Vedic Engineering, the solutions¨ by el Dr John Fogan , ph.D. Biología Molecular. Investigador en Genética

Dr Germán Martina Médico Presidente Asociación Argentina de Meditación Trascendental Coordinador Nacional del Partido Ley Natural - Argentina.