GM Fish under FDA review

The FDA has yet to reach a decision about its approval of genetically modified salmon for public consumption, but things are not looking good for concerned American consumers.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/18/AR2010091803520.html

http://www.theatlantic.com/food/archive/2010/09/union-to-fda-say-no-to-genetically-modified-salmon/63340/

The review panel of “experts” does not consist of food safety experts, and includes people who could be biased towards approving AquaAdvantage’s fish – including individuals who have themselves developed genetically modified animals, and one person who used to work for Monsanto.
It also seems that because of procedural technicalities (which seem hollow, and point more directly to the financial bottom line) it is unlikely that any labeling would be required to alert consumers as to the nature of this, or any other GM product, because the companies that produce these products (and it seems the FDA too) are concerned that people would not want to buy food that they knew to be genetically modified.  Which, lets face it, would likely be the case.  So instead it seems likely that they will make it policy to keep American consumers in the dark, and force them to buy products that they overwhelmingly do not want to buy, and that this technology will be approved, potential dangers to health and environment, and all.  Bastards.

Here are some other reasons that this strikes me as a bad idea: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ronnie-cummins/10-freakiest-things-about_b_737267.html

Why food is kind of scary…

My research into genetically modified foods continues, and I can’t help but feel that no matter how much we oppose the use of this technology,  it will do very little good.  I know that is hugely pessimistic, and not overly constructive but, hey – this is my blog, so I’ll damn well say how I feel.

Genetically modified products are already in a large percentage of the foods we are exposed to – with no labeling.  The companies that control the bioengineering technology are huge and powerful.  The government agencies that are in place to protect citizens from questionable technologies and practices are seemingly unable (or unwilling?) to properly monitor things.  This could be due to an inability to keep up with emerging technologies, antiquated testing and analysis techniques, or some kind of sinister relationship with the very people they are supposed to be policing (likely it’s some combination of these).

These genetically modified organisms (GMO‘s) are supposed to be helpful.  They are supposed to be cheaper and more productive (one of the major reasons that people have been in favor of this technology is to help solve the world food shortage problem), however there is evidence that this is not the case.  They are supposed to be safe, but again there is evidence against this.

http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2010/04/08/genetically-modified-foods-not-cheaper/

http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/20questions/en/

Genetically modified crops spread through natural processes into other crops whether we want them to or not.  This is dangerous for several reasons.  Firstly it gives the companies who own the rights to these crops legal cause to sue farmers for growing their crops without paying for them, even if these people had no intention of doing so.  Second these mutant crops could threaten the very existence of non-modified crops, taking over their gene pool and totally replacing them within  a few plant generations.  Thirdly, if, when all is said and done, there are major health and environmental risks associated with these organisms, we may be unable to control their propagation.  And these are just the risks that I can think of off the top of my head.

Genetic modification of animals is another, however similar, story.  So far my research has focused on crops, not livestock, however as I understand it the potential dangers are the same.  It’s bad enough that our factory farming system has made it a practice to be viciously inhumane to our nations livestock and contribute to the rise in diseased food due to idiotic feeding and housing practices (i.e. feeding cows corn when their digestive systems were built to digest grass, causing – well, you know what, just watch Food, Inc.).  Now we have to worry about whether the meat we are eating is even real, or if it in fact comes from mutant cows!!  Most recently I’ve heard about the possibility that the FDA may allow GM salmon to be put on the market.  I think we all know what happens when we mess around with genetically modifying fish.

I’m joking, but only a little.

All this research has led to me being very apprehensive about eating anything.  I’m not developing an eating disorder here, I’m simply unable to put aside the facts when I’m shopping, cooking, sitting down to a meal, etc.  I do not want genetically modified organisms in my food, or the food of my family. I do not want to have to feel creeped out every time it’s time to go grocery shopping or cook something.  I’m pissed off, because I like food.  I really like food, which has always worked out well because – we need to eat, there’s no getting around it.  And I wouldn’t want to if I could.

There has always been  a level of risk associated with eating: some foods are poison (certain berries for example), some foods can carry diseases if improperly handled or cooked (chicken, pork), some foods are laden with cholesterol and salt (which will eventually lead to trouble for the human body).  But these are things that just happen.  We have developed natural defenses against some of these problems, as have the food products (for example, berries that are poisonous are so in self-defense, and often have a bitter, unpleasant taste to prevent themselves from being eaten).  My point is that we already have enough to worry about in terms of food and eating.  We don’t need to add this level of creepy mystery, and dare I say nefariousness to the business of food.  We really don’t.