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FEED
FEED - March 2008
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Contents
- Engineered corn contaminates the food supply
- Non-engineered cotton often has higher profits and yields
- Resistant urinary tract infections linked to meat consumption
- Milk label bans threaten consumers' rights
- Arctic vault will store millions of seeds
1. Engineered corn contaminates the food supply
An unapproved variety of corn that is genetically engineered to produce its own insecticide was planted on 53,000 acres in the United States last year and likely entered the food supply. The manufacturer, Dow AgroSciences, discovered the contamination and recalled seed intended for planting this year. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) claims that the proteins produced by this corn variety are the same as those produced by an approved variety that is on the market, the incident is another in a string of contamination incidents that indicate the USDA is failing to keep unapproved varieties out of the food supply. Read about it in the Des Moines Register, or read the USDA's press release.
2. Non-engineered cotton often has higher profits and yields
Genetically engineered (GE) cotton is often not the best choice for farmers' bottom lines. Researchers from the University of Georgia compared multiple varieties of commercially available cotton, including non-GE cotton and GE cotton that was engineered to tolerate herbicides or produce its own insecticide. Several non-GE varieties consistently produced higher yields and profits than GE varieties like Monsanto's "Roundup Ready" herbicide-tolerant cotton or new varieties containing two genes for insecticide, and were often better than older GE varieties. The best non-GE varieties typically yielded as well or better than the best GE varieties. The results show that farmers can profit from cotton crops while avoiding the uncertainties and controversies associated with genetic engineering. Read the study in the Agronomy Journal (pdf).
3. Resistant urinary tract infections linked to meat consumption
A new study indicates that women suffering from urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by drug-resistant E. coli bacteria reported eating more chicken and pork than women whose UTIs were easily treated with antibiotics. This study adds to the evidence that UTIs are antibiotic-resistant diseases originating in animals that can be passed to people through meat consumption. According to a UCS report, 70 percent of the antibiotics and related drugs in the United States are used to promote growth and ward off disease in livestock that are not sick. This practice creates an ideal breeding ground for antibiotic-resistant diseases. Read the study abstract in Foodborne Pathogens & Disease, or read more about antibiotics from UCS.
4. Milk label bans threaten consumers' rights
Multiple states are considering legislation that would deprive consumers of the right to know what's in their milk. At issue is whether to allow labels that confirm the milk was produced from cows not treated with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH/rBST). In a victory for consumers, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and New Jersey have opted not to ban such labels. But Ohio has restricted the wording of such labels, and Kansas, Utah, and other states are considering legislation that would ban the labels. A ban would overturn accepted Food and Drug Administration labeling provisions, would deny consumers the right to know how their milk is produced, and could set a precedent for banning other labels that are of value to consumers. Treatment of cows with bovine growth hormone is prohibited in Europe, Canada, and Japan. Read more from The Organic and Non-GMO Report.
5. Arctic vault will store millions of seeds
Norway has opened a "doomsday" vault in the Arctic that will safeguard up to 4.5 million seeds as insurance in case of a global catastrophe that wipes out food crops in the regions where they are grown. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is built to withstand global warming, earthquakes, and nuclear strikes. Norway owns the bank, but any country can deposit seeds. Although there are already around 1400 other seed banks worldwide, this vault will be one of the largest and most secure sites. Meanwhile, global seed supplies are becoming increasingly concentrated in the hands of multinational companies, raising more immediate questions about the survival of diverse crop varieties that have been developed by local farmers and breeders over the centuries. If genetically diverse varieties are lost, the genes that they possess for resistance to drought or pests will be lost too, reducing our ability to cope with global change. Read more from the Washington Post. | |
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© Union of Concerned Scientists
Page Last Revised: 03/07/08 |
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