WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW CAN'T HURT YOU ...OR CAN IT?

- Renee Gannon, Assistant Website Editor

If you remember the H.G. Wells novel, “The Island of Dr. Moreau,” then you’ll probably remember it did not end pleasantly.  Written in the late 1800’s, the novel was a groundbreaking piece of literature that tackled issues such as the inherent consequences to meddling in evolution and raised the question:  how far can you take science before you go too far?

As I read more and more about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and genetically engineered (GE) plants and animals, I start to wonder if these huge biotech companies really have the consumer’s best interest at heart or if they are just profit-hungry global machines trying to make a quick buck while the USDA’s policies are still relatively lax.

An email from CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) recently circulated around the Tastybaby office which brought to light the newest wave of genetic engineering called Pharmacrops or Genetically Engineered Biopharmaceutical Crops.  These Pharmacrops are the experimental application of biotechnology in which genetic engineering (GE) is used to create plants that can produce pharmaceutical proteins and chemicals. In spite of this enhancement, biopharm crops are virtually indistinguishable from edible varieties.  Now before you go throw-up that tomato you just ate, let me assure you that biopharm crops are still in the testing phase; they are not on the market.  Yet.

So what’s the need for bioharm crops anyway?

Pharmaceutical and biotech corporations see biopharming as a less expensive way to produce large quantities of pharmaceutical chemicals and other potent, biologically active substances. Corporations do not typically disclose the types of chemicals that are being developed -- they classify this information as "confidential business information" -- but we do know that plants have been engineered to produce a contraceptive, potent growth hormones, a blood clotter, blood thinners, industrial enzymes, vaccines and pharmaceutical chemicals used for the treatment of severe diarrhea. Some 400 biopharm products are reportedly in the pipeline. But that’s not all. 

These crops pose an array of risks to farm workers, consumers, food companies and to native plants and animals. The National Academy of Sciences has stated that the environmental impacts associated with biopharmaceutical varieties “cannot be predicted” and that their novel compounds could contaminate the human and animal food supplies. Scientific reviews indicate that allowing the dispersal of such crops over thousands of acres or more could:
a) Broadcast unwanted compounds into the air, water and soil, as well as into foods and beverages, that could elicit a public epidemic of disease and allergic reactions, including life-threatening anaphylactic shock;
b) Pose massive occupational safety challenges, as some compounds may cause harm via inhalation, dermal absorption, and unintended ingestion;
c) Persist in the environment and bioaccumulate in wildlife, plants, and soil, leading to acute and chronic toxicity and ecological disruption.

Biotech companies, like the giant Monsanto, have done minimal research testing the effects of these genetically altered crops, which means the long-term ramifications are impossible to predict.  The USDA has yet to initiate a policy that requires these companies to disclose the information on what is in them (and even if they did, 98% of the general population wouldn’t be able to understand the ingredients anyway).  Furthermore, plants process proteins differently than animals or humans do. Thus, some experts are concerned that a plant-produced "human" protein could be perceived as foreign by the body and elicit an allergic reaction, including life-threatening anaphylactic shock. For example, corn-grown industrial enzymes such as trypsin and antitrypsin are known allergens. Yet trypsin corn has been grown on hundreds of acres throughout the Corn Belt.

I have a relatively strong background in science, having received my BS in Zoology. Because of this, I have really begun to question the ramifications of GMOs and pharmacrops on humans, animals and the environment. I always have a certain level of trepidation and concern for the food I digest on a daily basis. The science behind GEs is extremely complex and still very new to society.  I can only imagine how people who don’t have some sort of science background can even begin to understand the process involved and recognize the cause for concern.

It is scary to think that these Biotech companies can so easily take advantage of the general public’s lack of education regarding these topics.  To add insult to injury, we are forced to rely on the government, who are dipping their pens in the Biotech company’s ink. A Monsanto official told the New York Times that the corporation should not have to take responsibility for the safety of its food products. "Monsanto should not have to vouchsafe the safety of biotech food," said Phil Angell, Monsanto's director of corporate communications. "Our interest is in selling as much of it as possible. Assuring its safety is the FDA's job." I don’t know about you, but that statement does not leave me with warm fuzzies all over.

The USDA has allowed pharma and industrial crops to be grown outdoors in 35 states since 1991-often close to farms where food crops are grown. You can see what kind of crops have been grown in your state.  In 2002, half a million bushels of soybeans destined for human food and animal feed had to be destroyed in Nebraska after the USDA discovered that they were contaminated by corn modified to produce a vaccine for pigs.  

The USDA is considering the adoption of new regulations for GE organisms. One of the options under consideration is to ban the open-air production of GE food crops that produce pharmaceutical drugs and industrial compounds.  They have made a preliminary recommendation for a much lower standard of protection that would allow GE food crops to be produced outdoors, so it is important that they hear from us demanding that they do better!

Tell the USDA to protect our food supply by banning the use of GE food crops to produce pharmaceutical and industrial compounds.

Using the Sample Letter below:

1. Go to http://www.regulations.gov

2. Select "Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service' from the agency drop-down menu, then click "Submit' 

3. In the Docket ID column, select APHIS-2006-0112 to submit the letter below 

Deadline for Action: September 11, 2007

SAMPLE LETTER:

Docket No. APHIS-2006-0112
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS
Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118
Riverdale, MD   20737-1238
 
I am writing to urge you to adopt Alternative 4 as described in Issue 4 of the USDA's Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement-July 2007.
 
While genetically engineered pharmaceutical plants have the potential to produce life-saving drugs, it is essential that APHIS establish rules that prevent the contamination of the food supply by experimental drugs. Consumers are not willing to tolerate contamination of their food with drugs, and farmers will lose markets if their crops are contaminated. In addition, I am also concerned about the possibility that pharmaceutical plants could harm animals, insects and microorganisms in the environment.

I believe that the highest priority for USDA/APHIS should be to protect the food supply and U.S. farmers from the potentially devastating effects of contamination by experimental drugs and chemicals. USDA should discourage the use of food and feed crops in all production of pharmaceutical and industrial chemicals, but if such crops are used for these purposes by biotechnology developers, USDA should require that such experimentation and production take place in confined facilities that ensure biological containment.
 
Alternative 4 effectively balances the risks of food contamination with potential future benefits and I urge you to adopt Alternative 4 for Issue 4 of the EIS.
 
Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your name, address]

(the above sample letter was taken from the CCOF)

If you feel strong about this topic, you can also join the Organic Consumer Organization’s Campaign to Mobilize One Million Consumers to End Monsanto's Global Corporate Terrorism