There is quite a bit of coverage of genetically modified foods in the media, but a lot of it seems quite emotional. In the often passionate debate about GM foods, it is sometimes difficult to get the real scoop on what is fact vs. fiction. Molecular biologist Dr. Lisa Weasel, author of Food Fray, helps us understand the GM food controversy.
I watched a documentary on google video about this, which convenced me that gm is absolutly horrible. It's destroying far more than we know and taking control of a lot more. It's crazy how dumbed down we the people are.
Posted by Phillip Wolfe on 2009-04-15 07:49:45
It is too late. The GMO bits are already in our food system.
"The conventional wisdom among plant molecular geneticists is that plant promoters (in GMO crops), such as the CaMV 35S, are not active in animals (4). In fact, the CaMV 35S promoter was found to support high levels of reporter gene expression in mature Xenopus oocytes (5), and to give very efficient transcription in extracts of HeLa cell nuclei (6). The CaMV promoter worked at least as well as the SV40 promoter in Xenopus oocytes, and better than the major late promoter of the adenovirus-2 in HeLa cell extracts.
So, while the CaMV is specific for plants in the cruciferae family, its isolated promoter is promiscuous across domains and kingdoms of living organisms. It is the genetic (and evolutionary) context that makes all the difference. There is no justification for claiming that the promoter in transgenic constructs is as safe as the promoter in the intact viral genome, nor to consider it equivalent to the promoter of proviral sequences in the plant genome."
'Nuff said on this issue. It is too late. The GMO bits are already in our food system.
References
Matzke, M.A. , Mette, M.F. and Aufsatz, W. More on CaMV, Nature Biotechnology 2000: 18: 579.
Kumpatla, S.P. and Hall, T.C. (1999). Organizational complexity of a rice transgenic locus susceptible to methylation-based silencing. IUBMB Life 1999: 48: 459-467.
Hull, R., Covey, S.N. and Dale, P. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease (in press).
Kohli, A., Griffiths, S., Palacios, N., Twyman, R.M., Vain, P., Laurie, D.A. and Christou, P. Molecular characterization of transforming plasmid rearrangements in transgenic rice reveals a recombination hotspot in the CaMV 35S promoter and confirms the predominance of microhomology mediated recombination. Plant J. 1999: 17: 591-601.
Ballas,N., Broido, S., Soreq, H., and Loyter, A. (1989). Efficient functioning of plant promoters and poly(A) sites in Xenopus oocytes Nucl Acids Res 1989: 17: 7891-903.
Burke, C, Yu X.B., Marchitelli, L.., Davis, E.A., Ackerman, S. (1990). Transcription factor IIA of wheat and human function similarly with plant and animal viral promoters. Nucleic Acids Res 1990: 18: 3611-3620
Posted by Doug on 2009-04-15 08:35:48
I agree with Phillip; we seem to be past the point of no return now that GMOs have been irresponsibly introduced into our environment. With the GM companies' gestapo-like tactics we'll be lucky if any of the farmers in the world are left that aren't using genetically modified seeds in the near future. And for all the talk of GMOs helping save the world with solutions to world hunger, draught resistance, etc. all you ever see are modifications that help the GMO companies get richer - terminator seeds, although outlawed, are a perfect example of where these company's heads are at. Don't believe the hype - there is nothing positive about the use of genetic modification in our food supply.
Posted by Alisa on 2009-04-16 14:26:18
I think i'm neutral on this. I believe that not all science invention or artificial things are bad. and i also believe not all natural things are good. but regardless what i believe, i think it's always a good idea to be more transparent in the regulations and how FDA approves a technology. Thi is a nice podcast to bring discussion!
Posted by John Bobbin BNat on 2009-04-16 17:37:31
I am concerned about GMOs because we are very much in a grey area, we do not know the impact of the intervention on health or other species yet, from the definition of GMOs.....
Genetic modification of food
GMO, Genetic Modified Organism, definition
Genetic Modified Organisms according to the Gentechnikgesetz (GenTG)from 20.06.90 (Genetic Technique Law) in Germany are organisms whose genetic material were modified in a way which is not found in nature under natural conditions of crossbreed or natural recombination. The genetic Modified Organism must be a biological unit which is able to multiply itself or to transmit genetic material.
Examples of modifications covered by this law are DNS recombination techniques in which vector systems are used; techniques by which genetic material prepared outside of the cell is introduced directly in the organism. These techniques include microinjection, macroinjection and micro encapsulation, cell fusion as well as hybridization procedures by which living cells are formed with a new combination of genetic material using methods which are not found under natural conditions.
These 'alien' products may finish up yielding a huge benefit or they could be a huge disaster from which the mess may be very hard to clean up. I don't study this field at all so I don't understand what they mean a lot of the time, but I am very wary greed crosses too many boundaries.
Posted by AL on 2009-04-18 22:35:48
Why are we so keen on making a destruction and keeping the interest to ourselves. Selfishness is the only motive of companies who process these foods. They are not for the welfare of human propagation and the value of life. Where are all those qualities that a human being should possess?Where is our human dignity?
Posted by Chris2 on 2009-04-20 10:38:08
Abolutely right AL! Don't trust companies, their bottom line is money not human welfare. This might have a terrible impact. Some areas of Europe the law requires labeling for GM foods. Americans are wallowing in ignorance once again, and under the control of greedy companies we don't stand a chance. Although medicine is supposedly making great stides it also is dependent on the drug companies who are driven by money. There's no out.
Posted by Lise on 2009-04-21 12:00:30
The GMO's are why so many people are having immune system problems,and developing other diseases that were never even seen before! There have got to be places that still use "grandfathered seeds" that are from old stock and not modified. I think we should all take some lessons from our Grandparents, and other ancestors and familiarize ourselves with gardening again. Study what helps naturally fertilize soil in parts of the world, and teach our kids what we can for survival. It won't be quick and may take generations to fix, but we can hope, and pay more attention to what big companies tell us! As a kid my dad told me about the wonders of GMO products to help the starving people in the world...we still have starving people worldwide, and a mass sick society that needs to be eduacated!We need to pass along any possible knowledge on the subject to others and the kids from now on! In parts of the world seaweed is used to help keep soil rich in nutrients. If we can all pass along some knowledge it could build and rebuild a healthy world. Stay positive!
Posted by Leslie on 2009-04-27 21:48:50
The news states that "for some unknown reason, fruits and veggies nowadays do not have as much nutrient value as they did 40-60 years ago. It now takes two large apples to equal one from the 1930s." It doesn't take a genuis to figure that science cannot duplicate mother nature, and that playing with genes has a negitive effect. My mother told me "I trust cows before I trust (corporate)scientists", when talking about butter and margarine. Now we find out that hydrogenated oils are causing all sorts of problems with their trans fats. Also, to comment on Lise, it is possible to find "heirloom" seeds, just ask local garden centers. Plus you can find "Liquid fish and seaweed" concentrate alongside "Garrett juice" and "Compost tea", all of which have nutrients, active bacteria, flora and fauna that naturally feed the plants and soil. I've been studying about the health benifits of herbs and have had my herb garden for two years now and I just started my veggie garden this year; my 4 yr old daughter is helping a lot. I'm teaching her about the importance of herbs, fruits, veggies and the fact that we all have to be responsible for our actions, no matter how small. Plus we need to reteach our parents too, not just our kids. I'm constantly reminding my father to recycle his cans and teaching him about biodegradables and the importance of reusing even one bag!
Posted by Jennifer on 2009-05-06 14:15:58
I am not arguing over any of the excellent points made here but I am not certain we can blame the greedy corporations for all of this. We have a culture of mass consumption but the masses don't want to pay higher prices at the grocery store or take the time to learn or put in the effort to grow our own fruits and vegetables. Because so many enjoy the bliss of ignorance and must have it now with the least amount of effort at the lowest cost, corporations must deliver to survive. Just look at farmers' markets for example. I believe (not sure it's true) that I am getting healthier and fresher produce at a lower cost than the supermarket. I delight in that! I share with my friends and family what a great deal I got on avocados and tomatoes and cucumbers compared to my local supermarket. I honestly don't know how the local farmer does it at those prices. I am guessing he/she is not exactly getting rich. Must do it for entirely benevolent reasons? I doubt it. The farmers' market price is what the local farmer can expect to receive. Local farmers must beat the big chain pricing to sell their product otherwise, most will return to the grocery store. Further, our soils are so overworked it is no wonder the nutritional value of our foods is declining. The soil is full of chemical "nutrients" so I am not even sure genetic modification is even the biggest of our worries. Like most things, GM foods probably started out with the best of intentions. Feed the world! A worthy cause indeed. Politics is and always has been the barrier here.
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