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Genetically-Engineered Meat Isn’t Tested for Human Safety ... Because It’s Treated as an “Animal Drug”

George Washington's picture




 

 Genetically Engineered Meat Isnt Tested for Human Safety Because Its Treated as an Animal DrugPainting by Anthony Freda: www.AnthonyFreda.com.

 

USA Today reported last October that the FDA doesn’t even test the safety of genetically engineered food:

Q: Does the FDA test these foods before they’re allowed on the market?

 

A: No. Instead there is a voluntary consultation process. Genetically engineered foods are overseen by the FDA, but there is no approval process. Foods are presumed to be safe unless the FDA has evidence to the contrary, Jaffe says. The FDA “has to show that there may be a problem with the food, as opposed to the company needing to prove it’s safe to FDA’s satisfaction before it can get on the market,” he says.

Now we know why.

Bruce Friedrich reports:

The problems begin with FDA’s bizarre decision to consider GE meat using its “New Animal Drug Approval” (NADA) process, a process designed for evaluation of new animal drugs (hence the name), not genetically engineered animals. The GE salmon themselves [which increase allergies in people eating them ... but are still being approved for human consumption] are, according to this analysis, the animal drug. As food blogger Ari LeVaux explains on Civil Eats, “the drug per se is AquaBounty’s patented genetic construct… Inserted at the animal’s one-cell stage, the gene sequence exists in every cell of the adult fish’s body.”

 

Of course, NADA was not designed to analyze the human health or environmental consequences of new animal drugs, and because the animals are the drugs in this process, their welfare is also ignored. In all three areas, there is ample reason for concern.

 

Since they aren’t consumed by humans, new animal drugs are not evaluated for their human health impact, so perhaps it’s unsurprising that FDA’s analysis in this area has been almost nonexistent. Health and consumer rights advocates have raised alarms, noting among other concerns, that: 1) these animals will require massive doses of antibiotics to keep them alive in dirty, crowded aquaculture conditions, and we don’t know these antibiotics’ effect on human health; 2) the limited testing that has been conducted was carried out by or for AquaBounty and included shockingly small sample sizes; and 3) what studies have been done indicated increased allergic potential and increased levels of the hormone IGF-1, which is linked to various cancers — an outcome ignored in FDA’s approval according to the Consumers Union, Food & Water Watch, and the Center for Food Safety.

This is food fraud, and classic corruption by the FDA ... You know, the agency that:

  • Declared fish from Fukushima a-okay after radiation was spewed into the ocean

It is the same type of collusion between government and big business which has caused the financial crisis, the Fukushima nuclear meltdown, the Gulf oil spill and other major disasters  (and see this; and number 9).

As we noted last year:

Given that genetically engineered foods have been linked to obesity, cancer, liver failure, infertility and all sorts of other diseases (brief videos here and here), the burden should be on the … gmo producers to prove it’s safe.

But – if the FDA is treating genetically modified fish and meat as an “animal drug” – no one will test it for human safety.

 

 

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Sat, 02/16/2013 - 13:43 | 3249605 Joe A
Joe A's picture

That's right. There is no need for tilling the soil other than it is convenient to get rid off harvest residues. Good results are gotten with no-tillage agriculture but it requires more labor or the acquistion of specialized equipment.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 14:04 | 3249664 tip e. canoe
tip e. canoe's picture

why does one need to get rid of harvest residues when they're filled with nutrients from the soil & air and thus can be fed back to the soil without being moved an inch?

it requires more labor or the acquistion of specialized equipment.

exactly, and therein lies the real issue.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 10:44 | 3249281 DaveyJones
DaveyJones's picture

Nice Post. Vandan Shiva has done some heroic shit against Monsanto in India. this issue is too big to ignore. Our children are lab rats in the biggest nutrition experiment in human history.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 15:31 | 3249867 ToNYC
ToNYC's picture

Monsatano's patents are going to be pulled down around their corporate ankles. Que lastima!

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 13:51 | 3249623 Not Too Important
Not Too Important's picture

I can't recommend the book, 'The Windup Girl', enough. Fantastic read, lots of action while explaining the potential horror of GM food.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Windup_Girl

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 10:00 | 3249209 duo
duo's picture

Nearly all Americans are deficient in Magnesium, Zinc, and copper, minerals that used to be in our food.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 09:44 | 3249194 goldfish1
goldfish1's picture

Patch of ground people - grow some.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 03:29 | 3248966 Livingstrong
Livingstrong's picture

Great comment, Stud, and informative. Thank you.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 03:13 | 3248960 green888
green888's picture

There are a few of us investigating "nutrient dense food", just to see if we can enhance the taste of some produce- this involves feeding the soil with a cocktail of micro nutrients.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 02:17 | 3248925 Uber Vandal
Uber Vandal's picture

GMO seeds apparently belong to the patent holder, too:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100464458

 

 

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 07:17 | 3249058 Reptil
Reptil's picture

that's right and through "horizontal gene transfer" the animals (including human beings) that "adopt" the patented genetic code will become owned as well. (just like non GMO crops easily are contaminated by crops of the next door neighbour - and many (if not most) maïze species in Mexico are now forever lost because the DNA of it has taken on the (unstable) GMO ones.

my personal conclusion is that, because this has been known for at least since 1999, there's a plan to capture ownership of all living organisms that are "useful" through this process of secretly introducing patented DNA http://www.twnside.org.sg/title/gmo-cn.htm

And yes they're aiming for the grand price as well, human DNA http://www.reuters.nl/article/2012/11/30/us-usa-court-genes-idUSBRE8AT19...

All the while there's a former lawyer of Monsanto in that Supreme Court http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/07/supreme-court-monsanto-seeds_n_...

-----

On a side note, the whole idea that characteristics of any organism are wholly determined by their chemical stucture (DNA) has been proven BOGUS. That's why "mapping the human genome" did not render the desired results, because there was just too little specific information in the genes to account for the many different forms of organism.
Obummer did a good job of reïnforcing this nefarious LIE in his last State of the Union.

why? I think because they feel the hot breath of the truth emerging in their neck, which will fuck their carefully built "patent ownership of life" sceme.

watch this lecture of dr. Rupert Sheldrake: http://youtu.be/Ix2PX7KKSG4?t=6m14s

-----

Here's that Séralini (et al) study. http://research.sustainablefoodtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Fina...
They made the "mistake" of not making the test groep of mice large enough (10 test animals instead of 50), but for the rest it's pretty solid research. So there's some faults in it, but it's basic outcome, that Glyphosate and NK603 corn cause cancer at least valuate a follow up research!
And it's NOT the first report on this http://www.criigen.org/SiteEn/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcate...

In fact it's an ongoing battle to force the biotech industry to release their own test results (which showed considerable faults)

To offer a complete picture, here's pro and contra Séralini's research:
pro (letters of support)
http://gmoseralini.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/supportletters-seralin...

http://gmoseralini.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/supportletters-seralin...

contra (Monsanto)

http://www.monsanto.com/products/Documents/ProductSafety/seralini-sept-2...

The EFSA (european regulator body) says "no good" http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/121128.htm and comes back on it's statement that further research is necessary http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142412788732375110457814717372382159... which means it's swept under the rug.

But the EFSA itself has been captured by the industry it's supposed to regulate and botched the job intentionally: http://corporateeurope.org/news/how-efsa-dealt-french-gm-study-which-les...

Gee where have I seen that before?

There iS going to be a followup study, in Russia. It will take time, since it's going to span a longer test period than the Monsanto 90 days.

-----
on top of that the whole industry is exhibiting traits of chemical warfare (on human beings) http://youtu.be/EJA1IzitcRI
which is not so strange, considering it's roots in IG Farben (and industrialised depopulation) and in direct forms of chemical warfare (Agent Organge is now used as herbicide I kid you not, it's called 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D))

A lecture of dr. Rath (in german) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWdwtLJlKoE (there's english lectures of him as well but this one was most pointificating) He proves that the Nazi plan of patenting of chemical compounds (now including DNA) has found a direct continuation in the modern pharmaceutical conglomerate (BASF, Hoechst, Bayer), and that this is intended to cumulate into genocide and enslavement. Pretty hard conclusions but it's there in all it's naked glory.

No matter what's your investment position, I think it's important to notice we all eat this food as Working Class Dog in a post above already pointed out.

There'll be no place to run to, if a few corporations own life itself.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 17:16 | 3250089 The Heart
The Heart's picture

Howdy hey, a recovering wally-world addict here.

There are many great things in life that are simple, and well worthy of special recognition. Truly, the most monumental of which are the good works of good men that DO something commendable. A bow down to your good works here sir and thank you for the great contribution to the whole.

Have you patented your DNA?

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 19:11 | 3250320 Reptil
Reptil's picture

No, not patented my DNA. I reject the patenting of life itself.

Firstly there's the hurdle for those that cannot afford expensive laboratory testing, or the expensive patenting process. This means "ownership" of your own DNA has now been sold down the river.

Secondly I share some of my DNA with other family (and with unknown people around the world). While I am unique as a biological entity, I share chemical structure with others.

Thrirdly I consider myself a capitalist, but also think monetisation does have it's limits; not everything must be for sale, or life itself will be made impossible. Exchange of goods is a means to an end, not the other way round.

Fourthly, most important in this context: DNA and genetic sturctures are NOT an invention, and cannot be patented, they are discoveries, just like existing physical or atomic processes are discovered. It was a grave mistake to allow the patenting of microbes after the demise of the Exxon Valdez. A turning point in human history, a frontal attack on nature, and humanity which is part of it.

Fith, discarding sanctity of life is a dead-end road, it will tear apart this planet, until we are extinct. If human beings do this to other creatures, they will not have any moral ground to protect their own life. Because of genomic instabillty and transfer of unstable genes, possibly onto our own, when this process of genetically manipulating animals goes further, the implications of this "choice" are built into itself: By eating genetic unstable animals, we will likely become genetically unstable as well.

These are HUGE changes in our world, and the implications are grave. This is the revolution of our time, the financial shennennigans are parallel to this true powergrab initiated by those that backed the Nazis in 1933. On a side note the proponents of the (completely ridiculous) "hormesis" theory also welcome genetic instabillity. I do not understand the reasoning behind it, other than that these "respectable scientists" have become criminally insane, because the effects of it are not benign, nor will create "super-humans". That's just a joke.

A nice weekend to all of you.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 13:52 | 3249611 Joe A
Joe A's picture

That's right. Check out Seralini's group's website http://www.criigen.org/SiteEn/

They released their data to a notary and also are filing for defamation. He already won a case against one of his enemies for defamation some time ago.

edit: here a link to an analysis of the attacks against Seralini http://www.spinwatch.org.uk/-articles-by-category-mainmenu-8/46-gm-indus...

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 10:41 | 3249276 DaveyJones
DaveyJones's picture

Monsanto has openly admitted that its goal is to do this. For 150 years our laws prevented the patenting of food for obvious (human) reasons.I highly recommend the documentary The Future of Food and Jeffrey Smith's Book (lectures on YouTube)

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 10:04 | 3249215 GMadScientist
GMadScientist's picture

They can write a bill of sale that says they own my ass, but that doesn't make it so.

Perhaps this will inspire peope to stop shopping for the cheapest food approximations they can find at Wal-Mart and actually get to know an organic farmer or two locally.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 11:02 | 3249308 shovelhead
shovelhead's picture

You do realize that the term 'organic' is a marketing device rather than a descriptive term.

Plants don't use shit. Microbes have to break organic compounds down to the mineral salt elements that plants can assimilate.

Absolutely no difference to the plant at all whether one uses compost or a properly designed (and applied) fertilizer that introduces only what the plant can assimilate at different growth stages.

Mineral salt fertilizers can be mixed precisely where 'organic' is a literal crapshoot of over and under fertilization which can retard growth rates and yield.

There is no difference between N-P-K elements that plants can use.

Shit has no secret mojo.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 15:29 | 3249852 ToNYC
ToNYC's picture

Swallow a 3-month supply of table sugar all at once or suck on a tropical flavor life-saver each day. Trust me you won't know the difference. Timing is everything and if you travel to the right location, you might think you are just smart instead of just lucky to have been let live.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 11:49 | 3249363 tip e. canoe
tip e. canoe's picture

that's assuming that NPK is the end all be all.

(btw, agree with much of what you are saying)

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 09:33 | 3249177 goldfish1
goldfish1's picture

All the while there's a former lawyer of Monsanto in that Supreme Court

Who?

Links please. HuffPo makes no such connection.

Thank you.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 10:57 | 3249301 Disenchanted
Disenchanted's picture

 

 

"Who?"

 

Clarence Thomas

 

Clarence Thomas worked for Monsanto for a few years but has not been employed by Monsanto since the 1970s, long before the company was involved in biotechnology or owned a seed business.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 19:24 | 3250368 Reptil
Reptil's picture

It's not that Monsanto were little angels before they embarked on this GMO thing. o__0

This corporation is a tool of a larger powerbase, a merger of corporate (finance, pharma, militairy), the militairy and politicians which can be exemplified by the role of Rumsfeld and Bush sr. involvement in these processes to get genetic manipulation approved (rammed through Congress), and preceding that, the deployment of Agent Orange and unnumerous other chemicals in the Vietnam war as well, as were "testcases" like Saddam Hussein's regime. It's all connected. The USA does have a large, partially secret biological warfare program. http://www.sunshine-project.org/
Connect the dots. Their plans are now coming to fruitition. There wasn't a Totenkopf on the SS uniform for no reason. Digging deeper for an underlying motive I'll leave to any one of you.

There's a CLEAR conflict of interest with Judge Thomas being on the Supreme Court. Anyone that doesn't recognise this, needs to have their head examined in my humble opinion.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 10:05 | 3249216 GMadScientist
GMadScientist's picture

Slappy.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 09:20 | 3249159 nmewn
nmewn's picture

+1

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 02:15 | 3248921 joego1
joego1's picture

Sounds fishy.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 01:57 | 3248894 Joebloinvestor
Joebloinvestor's picture

Does anyone here know what they call a lobster?

 

 

The cockroach of the ocean in case you don't.

Pass the butter!

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 09:28 | 3249171 goldfish1
goldfish1's picture

Misssing the point of GMO contamination.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 15:21 | 3249833 ToNYC
ToNYC's picture

The point of GMO is forcible cellular rape by explosive means of our Mother Nature. That's enough to know for weak scientists.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 15:25 | 3249844 cossack55
cossack55's picture

Yes. and as we all know, Mother Nature NEVER responds.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 10:07 | 3249220 GMadScientist
GMadScientist's picture

Raising the point of mercury and malathion contamination.

Bon appetit!

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 13:47 | 3249613 Not Too Important
Not Too Important's picture

I'll see your mercury and malathion contamination, and raise you 1,000,000,000,000,000 becquerels of Fukushima radiation.

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