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Gaspé cycling l'ete 2009: Difference between revisions
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'''Type:''' Resolution | |||
'''Status:''' Adopted on 12/18/00 | |||
http://www. | '''Source File:''' http://www.organicconsumers.org/ge/sfgefreeres.cfm | ||
'''Description:''' | |||
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a | |||
resolution calling for environmental and health protections from genetically | |||
engineered (GE) foods. Supervisor Gavin Newsom introduced the resolution. | |||
The resolution comes after a massive food recall of corn products containing | |||
StarLink, a genetically engineered corn only allowed for animal feed, when | |||
it was found in a range of food products. An advisory panel to the | |||
Environmental Protection Agency recently ruled that StarLink corn has the | |||
potential to cause food allergies. In passing the resolution, San Francisco | |||
joined with a growing number of municipalities from across the country in | |||
demanding protection from this dangerous new food technology. | |||
"Because our federal agencies that are regulating genetically engineered | |||
foods have failed the American public, it is critical that cities across the | |||
country take a strong stance on this issue and demand adequate health and | |||
environmental standards for these novel foods," said Rebecca Spector of the | |||
Center for Food Safety. "San Francisco has taken this stance today, and has | |||
said enough, is enough." | |||
The resolution calls on FDA to label genetically engineered foods and | |||
institute a moratorium on GE foods. The resolution also calls on food | |||
companies, like Kellogg's and Campbell's, which have stopped using GE | |||
ingredients in their products in Europe, to do the same in the United | |||
States. | |||
"Kellogg's and many food companies have stopped using genetically engineered | |||
ingredients in Europe, but continue to use these experimental foods in the | |||
U.S.," said Jeanne Merrill of Greenpeace. "Today San Francisco told | |||
Kellogg's and others to end their double-standard." | |||
Genetic engineering of crops fundamentally alters nature by crossing natural | |||
species barriers, and inserting virus, bacteria and even insect genes into | |||
plants-something traditional breeders can never do. Once these man-made | |||
organisms are released into the environment and the food chain they can | |||
never be recalled. Currently, approximately 69 million acres of GE crops are | |||
grown in the United States- primarily corn, soy, canola and cotton. Over | |||
60% of processed foods on our grocery shelves now contain GE ingredients. | |||
"Genetically engineered ingredients are in everything from our cereals to | |||
our chocolates without even a label to tell us we are eating experimental | |||
foods," said Simon Harris of the Organic Consumers Association. "That's | |||
why we need local government to stand up and demand consumer protection." | |||
Among those who support the resolution is head chef of Millennium | |||
restaurant, Eric Tucker. "Without labeling in this country, the burden of | |||
finding non-GE foods falls on responsible chefs and food providers," said | |||
Tucker. "The responsibility should be with the government and the biotech | |||
industry to provide this information." | |||
Genetic engineering of plant life creates for the first time living | |||
pollution, bringing known and unknown risks to the environment and public | |||
health. Herbicide resistant crops can create superweeds and increase | |||
herbicide use. GE foods may also create new food allergies and increased | |||
levels of toxins in food. Medical experts warn that some antibiotics could | |||
become useless from the use of antibiotic resistance genes in creating GE | |||
crops. Furthermore, genetically engineered corn and soy with the Bacillus | |||
thurigienisis (Bt) toxin threatens insect resistance to Bt, a fundamental | |||
tool for organic farmers. | |||