Food Bytes

from the Organic Consumers Association

GE Salmon: Terminator species?

A study from the National Academy of Sciences indicates that genetically engineered salmon not only consume food needed by other species of salmon, but even eat members of their own schools. Scientists documented inter-fish relations between genetically engineered (GE) salmon and normal coho salmon in closed tanks with varying levels of food input. Total war erupted, as the frankenfish gobbled up all the food and then started attacking each other. At study's end, there were only one or two GE fish left in tanks that originally held 50 fish. The GE mutants were engineered to grow twice as fast as normal salmon, but in the gene-splicing process, it seems their aggressiveness has also increased. The GE fish would ostensibly be raised in enclosed nets on salmon farms on the coasts, but there is great concern for what could happen when these GE salmon escape from their pens. For example, hundreds of thousands of factory farmed salmon have escaped into the wild in the Northwest, just in the past few years, when floating pens were torn apart by storms or sea lions.

Junk food destroying kids' lives

A new study out of the UK reveals that additives in foods increases hyperactivity in children. The study of a test group of 277 preschoolers found that when additives were removed from the children's diets, the rate of hyperactivity decreased substantially. According to Dr. John Warner, lead scientist in the study, "The effect is significant but its magnitude requires further elaboration before making any sweeping recommendations about legislation on permitted food additives."

Breastfeeding ads watered down

The US Dept. of Health and Human Services has launched a TV advertising campaign to promote breastfeeding and to highlight the risks of infant formulas. Although designed to provide strong educational messaging across the US, it was ultimately watered down by the powerful drug and infant formula industry. ABC News uncovered documents that showed Secretary of Health Tommy Thompson met privately with infant formula industry officials, while sculpting the campaign. At the same time, he refused to meet with breastfeeding advocates. "The fact that they managed to get this campaign watered down is evidence that money can influence good medicine, and that large amounts of money can influence even good doctors," said Dr. Larry Gartner, of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

POOR AMERICANS GETTING SHORTER

At the time of the American Revolution, the average US male was two inches taller than his British counterpart. Today he is almost half an inch shorter. According to research out of Munich University, the average American is getting shorter, while the average European is getting taller. To explain this, scientists are pointing to the increasing gap in social classes in the US. Despite a physically robust upper class here, there are eight million unemployed people, 40 million individuals with no health insurance, 35 million living below the poverty line, and a population that relies on junk food. In contrast, Europe's social welfare programs provide good health care and food for most citizens.

ANTI-GE MOVEMENT GATHERS STEAM ACROSS THE US

In the wake of the Mendocino, CA ban in March, the movement to create GE Free Zones across the country has accelerated, as have legislative efforts to strictly regulate GMOs. Recent events include: California: Activists in at least 12 California counties have organized to create GE-Free zones. Also, the state's top agriculture official denied a proposal that would allow the planting of a GE rice. North Dakota: A petition is being circulated for a ballot measure that would give the state the authority to reject Monsanto's new genetically modified wheat.. Vermont: Gov. Douglas has agreed to sign the "Farmer Right to Know" bill that will require labeling of genetically engineered seeds in all retail outlets.