Just Eat Me!:
Genetically Modified food and you
When Alice went through the rabbit hole and saw a bottle of something with "Drink me" written on it, she paused before she did and thought about the warnings she had had — "don't drink or eat something if you don't know if it is good for you". Unlike Alice, Australians are being told not to ask questions about what it is that they are putting on their tables, but instead to embrace genetically modified foods (GM) in their stride. This article contains basic information on genetic engineering (GE) and what you buy — or don't buy. Untested, unassessed and unlabelled, genetically modified foods are sitting on supermarket shelves. Genetic engineering (GE) allows genes to be transferred across species boundaries, from any living organism into any other — animals to humans, humans to bacteria, microbes to plants and so on. This could never happen in nature or through traditional breeding, where sows deliver piglets and roses make rosebuds. Genetically engineered foods are not just an extension of long-accepted and practiced selective breeding practices that brought us new wheat varieties and cattle breeds. Traditional breeding could not produce organisms beyond the limits of natural reproduction. Cross-pollination, hybridisation and mating cannot cross species boundaries. In contrast, genetic engineering takes genes from anywhere on the tree of life and transfers them anywhere else. A major risk is pollution of the gene pools on which the continued development of natural systems and our food stocks depend. Cutting and splicing genes in the test tube cannot show how the genes and new organisms will behave outside the laboratory, nor how they might behave if they infiltrate other, non-target species. The risks to human health and environment are so large and uncertain that insurance companies will not insure the industry. Nevertheless, genetically modified food is being pushed by corporations and pliant states oblige by pretending that it is the only way to go. Few issues have caused so much debate and concern as this one. From Europe to Africa consumers are calling for caution. GE food on supermarket shelves The Australian authorities have been very secretive in regards GM food production. It is only now that we are learning about genetically modified crops being grown in Australia commercially. GE foods in the supermarket Genetically engineered foods which are found in Australia include: Soybean: used in soy foods including soy beverages, tofu, soy oil, soy flour, lecitin. Also may be found in breads, pastries, snack foods, baked products, fried products, edible oil products and special purpose foods. Canola (rape seed oil): Canola oil. Included in edible oil products, fried foods, baked products, snack foods. Corn: corn oil, flour, sugar or syrup. Also included in snack foods, baked goods, fried foods, edible oil products, confectionery, special purpose foods, soft drinks. Potato: may be included in snack foods, processed potato products and other processed foods. Sugarbeet: may be contained in any processed foods containing sugar. Cotton: cottonseed oil and linters. Found in blended vegetable oils, fried foods, baked foods, snack foods, edible oil products, small goods casings. GE-free zones Two local councils in NSW and Victoria have already banned genetically modified foods from their childcare centres. A first for Australia, the decision was made because of growing concern that these foods may not be safe, especially for children. In the UK, for instance, more than 300 local councils have banned genetically modified foods. New Zealand has two GE-free municipalities. In Waverly, NSW suppliers of food to Waverly Council childcare centres have been asked to guarantee that their products are free from genetically engineered organisms (GE-free). "Up until now we and our children have been unwitting participants in a food experiment and it must stop. We have the right to know and the right to choose", said Paul Pearce, the Mayor of Waverly. If suppliers cannot give assurances that a food is GE-free it is prohibited from any childcare centre under council control. The response from the wider community to the council's actions has been very positive with faxes, letters and emails of support from all over the country. Moreland City Council is Victoria's first local council to ban the use of genetically altered food. "For those not in a position to make an informed decision, such as infants in creches and those receiving meals-on-wheels, the council must adopt an approach that is precautionary and responsible", Councillor Melanie Raymond believes. "Too little research has been done on the nutritional and environmental impacts and the increase of pesticides in our food chain is a concern", she said. It is worth noting that top overseas restaurants are adamant about their restaurants being GE-free. There has been a huge debate about genetically modified food in Britain, and the debate still continues. The British Government has been pushing the GE barrel for all its worth. Meanwhile, the house of Commons dining room serves only GE-free food! Why worry? The ecological and health threats of genetic engineering are many. For example, crops that are genetically engineered tolerate being sprayed with pesticides encourage greater use of chemicals, and transfer of their genes to related species may lead to super weeds. Labelling Labelling of GE food is an absolute necessity but it is very slow in coming. One way of making sure that you buy what you want is to check the existing labels for the presence of GE ingredients. It may seem time-consuming but if you do your checking for the basics you buy every week, it becomes easier. Contact the processors and distributors and ask for a written reply as to whether their products contain GE ingredients. The numbers can be found on their packaging or use those listed below (1800 numbers are free). Ask for a written reply. Franklins Supermarkets 1800 621 111 Coles Supermarkets 1800 061 562 Woolworths supermarkets 1800 066 596 Arnotts 1800 242 492 Australian Natural Foods 1800 641 614 Dairy Farmers 1800 627 624 Goodman Fielder 1800 025 764 Heinz 1800 037 058 Kraft 1800 033 275 Masterfoods 1800 816 016 Nestles 1800 025 361 Old El Paso 1800 677 774 QUF Industries 1800 067 439 Sanitarium 1800 673 392 Schweppes 1800 244 054 Smiths 1800 025 789 Wyeth 1800 552 229. Major supermarkets have "suggestion boxes" because, as they put it, "they value the opinion of their customers". It is a good way to let then know how you feel about labelling or not labelling GE foods. Local councils should be encouraged to declare all their food services GE- free. They used to declare themselves "nuclear-free zones". GE-free zones would be a very practical way of showing the tax-paying public that they care. Local members should also be made aware about the GE-free sentiment. Ring, fax, email, write to your local member of parliament, state premier and the Prime Minister. GeneEthics have produced a petition calling for a minimum five-year freeze on genetic engineering on: * release into the environment of genetically engineered organisms (GEOs) - - crops, microbes or animals — for research or commercial purposes; * imports of genetically engineered foods and GEOs; * patents on living organisms. The petition sets out strict conditions to be met prior to the lifting of the freeze. These include: * an Office of the Gene Technology Regulator and strong national laws on GEOs; * mandatory labels on all products produced using gene technology; * a Biosafety Protocol to ensure safe international transport and use of GEOs; * GE-free zones where GEO-free crops can be grown without genetic pollution; * independent research results showing GEOs are harmless to health and environment; * adverse reactions registers where the public can report any illness from GEOs; * a strong, enforceable liability and insurance regime on GE products; * everyone fully informed on GEOs, leading to democratic decisions on GEO use. For copies of the petition or more information on GE contact the GeneEthics Network at 340 Gore Street, Fitzroy, 3065; Ph: (03) 9416 2222; Fax: (03) 9416 0767; email: acfgenet@peg.apc.org Website: http://www.zero.com.au/agen* * * Acknowledgements to Bob Phelps of GeneEthics Network whose writings formed the foundation of this article