Scientist calls for moratorium on genetically altetred foods until more is known about their effects.By Andrea Baillie, The canadian press, Toronto.
Canada's pre-eminent pop scientist says Canadians have become unwitting guinea pigs in a nationwide study on the effects of geneticly modified foods. "We are performing a massive experiment" Dr. David Suzuki said Sunday. "The results will only be known after millions of people have been exposed to {theses foods} for decades. Suzuki's cautionary words wrapped up a four day meeting of the Canadian Health Food Association, where the rugulation of geneticly modified foods has been a pressing concern. It is estimated that 70% of food currently sold in Canafdian supermarkets is geneticly modified. Despite this, there are few labels to identify which foods have been altered. "Any politician or scientist who tells you theses products are safe is either very stupid or lying" said Suzuki. "These experiments have simply not been done." In recent months, the potential ill effects of genetically altered foods has become a hot potato for health officials around the world. In Europe, protesters have raided farms and lobbied restaurants, labelling the altered products as "Frankenstein foods". In England, medical officials are demanding a government study to determine whether the modified foods could cause new cancers, birth defects or dander to the immune system. Health Canada has insisted that the products approved in this country are thoroughly tested for allergenic and toxic effects. But Suzuki says there is simply not enough evidence to back that claim. "the hazzards of {theses foods} are uncertain" he said. "In view of our enormous ignorance, the premature application of biotechnology is downright dangerous." At issue, he said, are fundamental laws of genetics. Those rules are based on "vertical inheritance". With genetically modified foods, scientists are assuming that when they transfer genes to differnt species horizontly, the behaviour of those genes will be the same as when they follow them vertically. "It is simply bad science to make that assumption" said Suzuki. " You have changed the context within which this new gene finds itself. Therefore what the behaviour of the new gene will be, we simply cannot say." Suzuki called for a moratorium on genetically modified foods until more is known about the long-term health effects. In the meantime, he wants Canadians to demand mandatory labelling for altered foods. " I am astounded at the reluctance of the Canadian public to show it's outrage at what we're doing to our air, water and food," said Suziki. " What we are aquiring is the brute technological power to bludgeon nature. Each new insight reminds us of how ignorant we remain.... end...
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Well we all know this is not about making more food to feed more people, it's making more food for more PROFITS. Are they trying to kill us all so all these corporations that produce this junk can line their pockets, ofcourse I don't have to explain this to anyone around here. What's next "Attack of the killer tomatoes" the real thing?
James....
None.
