Sept. 96

Dangers of Genetically Engineered Foods

Short Summary of Concerns

A scientific fact sheet demonstrating that an immediate world-wide ban is necessary

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Genetically engineered foods containing pig, fish, insect, virus, and bacterial genes are appearing on supermarket shelves in countries overseas, beginning with tomatoes, corn (maize), soya products, milk products, yeast, and oils, later extending to replace hundreds of traditional varieties of fruit and vegetables. The USA and UK governments are permitting their sale without warning the public, despite the fact that genetically engineered products will permanently damage peoples' health. Here's how:

What is genetic engineering?

Genes are the blueprints for every part of an organism. Genetic modification is the process of artificially transferring the information specific to one type of organism into another, for example from a fish into a tomato. Genetic engineering is not cross-pollination or 'breeding', it is gene (DNA) manipulation.

Unpredictable mutation of genetic blueprint of life causing new diseases and weaknesses

Given the huge complexity of genetic coding, even in very simple organisms such as bacteria, no one can possibly predict the effects of introducing new genes to any organism or plant, nor the extent of health-damaging effects on any person who eats it. This happens because:

• the transposed gene will react differently working within its new host
• the original genetic intelligence of the host will be disrupted
• the genes of the host and the transposed gene combined together will have unpredictable effects

Unnatural gene transfers from one species to another are dangerous

Biotech companies falsely claim that their manipulations are similar to natural genetic changes. However the cross-species transfers that are being made, such as between pigs and plants, or fish and tomatoes, would never happen in nature and may allow diseases and weaknesses to cross species, with effects as disastrous as those seen in BSE -- mad cow disease. The guinea pig in this risky experiment is the general public.

Health-damaging effects caused by genetic engineering will continue forever

Biotech companies claim their methods are precise and sophisticated, in fact there is a random element to their experimental gene insertion methods. Side effects and accidents are inevitable and the risks have been scientifically assessed as unlimited. Unlike chemical or nuclear contamination, gene pollution cannot be cleaned up. Toxic effects of genetic mistakes will be passed on to all future generations of a species.

Genetically engineered products carry more risks than traditional foods

Biotech companies say that the risks of new genetically engineered foods are similar to risks posed by all foods, but experience has shown that the process of genetic engineering is introducing dangerous new allergens and toxins into foods that were previously naturally safe.

Catastrophic collapse of human physiological balance

Genetically engineered tryptophan killed 37 and permanently disabled 1500 people: inevitably toxic effects will result from other new foods. Genetic research shows that many diseases have their origin in tiny imperfections in genetic coding. Tinkering with the genetic code in any way will upset the delicate balance between our physiology and the food we eat. The genetic structure of plants has been nourishing mankind for millennia; to suddenly change almost all foods through irreversible genetic engineering is highly dangerous and threatens life.

Genetically engineered foods are being introduced overseas without labelling

Biotech companies assert that no labelling is required by falsely claiming that there is no material difference between genetic foods and their traditional natural counterparts. In fact, the natural genetic intelligence of foods built up over millions of years is being changed. Governments are siding with biotech companies and ignoring the rights of consumers to know. Without labelling, the causes of new diseases will be very difficult to trace. Whilst all foods should be honestly labelled, genetically engineered foods should be totally banned to protect life.

Damage to the environment

After introduction in plants, bacteria, insects, or animals, new genetic information will cross into other related life forms through processes such as cross pollination or displace existing species from the ecosystem with disastrous effects as already noted with the genetic Klebsiella.

Ethical issues affecting vegetarians, religious groups, and animal rights campaigners

Biotech companies claim that animal and plant DNA are similar and there is no ethical issue when transferring animal DNA molecules to plants, however underlying the genetic methods are animal experiments where genetic information unique to animals is transferred to plants.

Global threat to humanity's food supply

Giant trans-national biotech companies already control large segments of the world's food supply including food patents, seed companies, and other aspects of the food chain. They are introducing experimental, untested, genetically engineered products in a dangerous global experiment. If the intentions of the industry come to fruition, almost every food we eat will be altered within a few years. This radical change in humanity's food supply will result in many unanticipated irreversible problems including serious food shortages and wide-scale health threats.

You Can Help

Copy this page and send it to friends, neighbours, family, influential people and groups.

For solutions read: Genetic Engineering: The Hazards; Vedic Engineering: The Solutions by Prof. John Fagan, Ph.D. -- and award-winning geneticist who renounced government grants and began new research in the field of consciousness (ISBN 0-923569-18-9). Available from Ambrosia South Africa Books tel (012) 321 5443, fax (012) 326 8840. e-mail: ambrosia@mweb.co.za

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