GENETICS

One of the most constroversial projects of our times. A futuristic Science with awesome destructive potential. It follows a trail of solid evidence in even deeper and deeper scarier conpiracy theories. At best Genetic Modification is science-out of control; at worst the most dangerous science ever created.

by Michael G Keohane BA,ACSA.

WHAT IS A GENE?

All living things contain genes. We inherit them from our parents. Genes are the blueprints which carry the information for proteins that are the building blocks of all the structures and functions tha to make up the body of all organisms.

Genes, and the proteins they make, have coevolved together to form an extremely complex network of finely balanced functions, which scientists are only just beginning to understand.

WHAT IS GENETIC MODIFICATION?

Unlike normal methods of reproduction, genetic modification works in the laboratory cutting. joining and transferring genes between totally unrelated living things. As a result combinations of genes are produced which would never occur naturally.

Everyone has heard of DOLLY the sheep and cloning experiments in the medical field, another uncertain area, but genetic modification is also happening in the food industry.

It is possible to isolate and transfer different characteristics between unrelated species or between plants and animals. For example, the introduction of an "antifreeze" gene from an Artic fish into tomatoes or strawberries to make them resistant to frost.

Some crops have been genetically modified to make them resistant to weed killers or to produce their own insecticide.

Animals can also be "engineered". A pig was modified with a human gene to make it grow faster and leaner.

Recently a chicken has been genetically modified to make where they would have had wings to grow two extra legs.

IS GENETIC MODIFICATION SAFE?

Opinion is divided here for sure. Those involved in the biorechnology business insist it is safe and that genetic modifications can increase yields, reduce and improve the flavour and keeping qualities of products.

MANY PROFESSIONAL INDEPENDENT OBSERVERS BELIEVE GENETICS ENGINEERING IS UNPREDICTABLE, UNSTABLE AND DANGEROUS....

And the risks are not worth taking. They do not believe the possible benefits can justify the risks that are being taken, especially since safe, natural alternatives already exist.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

Mistakes have already been made in genetic engineering. Use of genetically modified bacteria in the food supplement Tryptophan may have caused 37 deaths in the USA since 1989 as well as permanently disabling thousands of people.

DEVELOPMENT OF SOYA BEANS CONTAINING A GENE FROM BRAZIL NUT HAD TO BE STOPPED WHEN IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BEANS CAUSED A REACTIONS IN PEOPLE ALLERGIC TO NUTS.

Once released into the natural environment, genetically modified bacteria and plants interbreed with those in the wild. This has already led to the creation of new strains of "super weeds" that are resistant to herbicides. Some scientists feat the devlopment of antibiotic--resistant "super bacteria".

Genetically modified plants may drive out natural species, reducing the "biodiversity" of the planet and threatening the habitats of wild animals and birds.

Perhaps most worrying of all, there is no way of recalling a genetic modification. Once released into the environment, genetic pollution cannot be cleaned up, it will survive....SO LONG AS THE SUN RISES AND FALLS ON AN EARTH FULL OF LIFE.

ARE THERE NOT REGULATIONS TO PROTECT US?

Yes' but the process of getting Government approval for genetically modified products is far shorter than the exhaustive trials required for new drugs. The test and legislation in place today would not have prevented the Tryptophan tragedy.

YOUR CHOICE?

Only a few genetically modified products are on sale in the supermarkets at the moment. Provided these are clearly labelled you can make the choice whether to buy them or not. Unfortunately, this situation is changing because of the soya bean.

THE SOYA BEAN

Soya beans are grown mainly in North America and find their way inot 60% of all processed foods. For example, they are in bread, biscuits, baby foods, chocolate, ice cream, ready meals and many vegetarian products.

Monsanto, the giant chemical company, has modified a Soya bean with genetic material from a virus and a petunia linked to a bacterial gene, which has made the Soya plant resistant to a weed killer called Roundup, which is also manufactured by Monsanto.

Millions of Americans swallow five widely used farm pesticides in their drinking water, said a study by the Environmantal Working Group, a private organisation that seeks stricter regulations of pesticides.....

George Rolfson, a spokesman for the Ciga-Geigy Company, the makers of strazine, said he had not seen the report but questioned the group's use of the narrowest risk standard.

"I think they're misusing it here". he said.

Ciba-Geigy has been asking the E.P.A to allow higher levels of exposure to strazine because the company says showing its cancerous potential were flawed. The agency denied that request for higher levels. However who knows what really goes on in the field? (NYT. 10/19/94)

Also responding to the study's findings, Jay Vroom, of the American Crop Protection Association, a chemical trade group said the report was an "unecessary atempt to scare the public. Farmere and ranchers...handle (chemicals) carefully and as required by law.

YOU HAVE NO CHOICE?

This year 1999 30% of the North American crop of soya beans will be genetically modified. Last year 1998 it was 16% but hey were deliberately mixed with the non-modified variety. There is no segregation.

SO PRODUCTS ON SUPERMARKET SHELVES NOW MAY CONTAIN GENETICALLY MODIFIED SOYA AND AS YET THERE ARE NO FIRM GUIDELINES ON LABELLING.

YOU HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF YOU ARE EATING GENETICALLY MODIFIED SOYA OR NOT.

WHATS NEXT?

That is the 100 million dollar question? This year the French will plant genetically modified maize and genetically modified oil seed rape may soon be given approval. Agri companies around the world are developing many new crops so that in a few years time 80% of all we eat could be genetically modified. In England last year there were 200 locations where genetically crops were planted and harvested.

SOON WE MAY HAVE NO CHOICE UNLESS WE INSIST ON CROP SEGREGATION NOW.

CAMPAIGN PLANS

I would urge all customer of food produce, and other retailers, manufacturers and farmers to join a campaign in your local area for crop segregation and a more cautious approach to the introduction of this technology or halting it if it is going to be too hideous to handle the knock-on-effect, and the long term ramafications for life on this planet. I mean we may be laying the foundations for species worse than one of Doctor Zeuss's worst nightmares. But I see hope recently where there is growing concern. And the President of the United States recently has mentioned that he is now concerned with new evidence concerning GM food and worries that all is not well.

© 1999 All rights held my Michael G Keohane BA, ACSA