[Ekodum] GM potraviny

[František Kurtin <kurtin AT ekodum.cz>]

Pokud jste také proti geneticky modifikovaným potravinám a jejich zavlečení
k nám, můžete proto nyní něco udělat.
Franta Kurtin


George Bush is using the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to force-feed you
genetically modified food! You can help stop them: BITE BACK!

Biotech companies have invested billions into genetically modified foods
that nobody needs and nobody wants. Such products (known as GMOs) take away
consumer choice, make farmers dependent on big business and undermine food
security in developing countries. Nobody knows what risks they pose to
people's health and the environment.

To force GMOs into global markets, George Bush has filed a legal dispute at
the WTO, accusing the European Union of blocking trade by restricting GMOs.
If successful, not only will the EU have to accept genetically modified food
and farming but so will the rest of the world.

Stop them: BITE BACK and sign the Citizens' Objection to the WTO online at
http://www.bite-back.org.


Diky, že mail rozšíříte dále/Thank you for spreading the email.

Best regards




ORGANIZATIONS, INDIVIDUALS
SIGN ON TO LETTER DECRYING
MONSANTO, BILL GATES PARTNERSHIP

The Gates Foundation is donating $25 million for research to combat
malnutrition using Genetic Engineering. David Fleming, Director of Global
Health Strategies at the Gates Foundation said, "Vitamin and mineral
deficiencies, which contribute to the deaths of millions of children each
year, can be easily prevented by adding just a few key nutrients to staple
foods."

To put an end to this emerging partnership that will only support Monsanto
morally and financially a sign on to a letter is being circulated by
Indigenous Peoples Council on Biocolonialism to Bill and Melinda Gates. If
you want to sign-on send your contact details (including your country) to
the email address
Stop_Gates AT yahoo.com

Specify if it is an individual or organizational endorsement that you are
making. Your
signature will be included at the end of this letter.

Dear Bill and Melinda Gates,

Your generosity for supporting initiatives in education, world health and
population, and community has gained worldwide recognition. However, your
recent announcement that you are donating $25million for research in GM food
nutrition is based on some fallacious premises and will work against your
stated mission and world-wide interest.

Your investment ignores scientific evidence on the actual and potential
risks of GMO and the benefit of superior alternatives (The Case for a GM
Free Sustainable World, Independent Science Panel on GM). Citizens worldwide
have shown a preference for alternatives such as biodiversity-based organic
agriculture. Your contribution is thus
NOT working for a safe and healthy nutrition, but is working AGAINST science
and democracy. We are strongly urging you to withdraw your $25 million to
support a failing genetic engineering industry that is making false claims
on improving nutrition

The claim that Genetic Engineering is improving nutrition is scientifically
flawed. GM potato is claimed to contain 45% more protein than traditional
potatoes. The protein content of the ordinary potato is 1.6 grams per 100
grams. That is still nothing compared to 14.7gms of protein in100gm in
Amaranth, or in peas (24.1 gm/100gm) or
lentils (25.1 gm/100gm). According to Ramesh Bhat and S. Vasanthi of the
National Institute of Nutrition at Hyderabad, to meet the RDA (Recommended
Daily Allowance) for protein from GM potatoes alone,  the children would
need to consume 1.5 kg of potatoes per day!

The infamous Golden Rice would never solve Vitamin A deficiency because it
only contains 30 microgram of Vit. A per 100 grams ofgrain. It is far more
inferior compared to carrots (217-434 mcg/100mg), spinach (600mcg) or radish
leaves (750mcg).  In fact, one would have to consume 9 kg of cooked rice
everyday to reach the RDA. Whereas eating two carrots a day would more than
satisfy the recommendation.

Evidence from around the world, again and again confirms the failure of GM c
rops to deliver their promises. In 2002, the first commercial planting of Bt
cotton in India was wiped out while non-GM varieties performed well, leaving
GM planting farmers facing serious financial losses. A recent report from
the UK field experiment clearly proved
that GM crops significantly reduce wildlife, and they also find that
contamination through pollination is many times higher than it was
anticipated. (The Farm Scale Evaluations of spring-sown genetically modified
crops, UK). Scientific evidences all point the uncertainty and instability
of genetic engineering. Moreover, no research has been conducted to
determine the long-term effect of GM crops on our health and the ecosystem.

By supporting GM food, the industries and agencies that are pushing it
undemocratically, you are threatening the choice of citizens around the
world to have safe food. Only four countries are growing genetically
modified crops, with the U.S. accounting for over 75%. And across the world,
only one company, Monsanto, accounts for 93% of GM crops grown. Most people
still firmly reject this technology. More than 35 countries, including the
entire European Union have taken precautionary steps by restricting the
growing and importation of GM foods, and requiring labeling of all foods
with genetically modified ingredients. Many regions and cities around the
world have even banned or imposed a moratorium on GMOs. Your funding of GM,
in effect, is creating a subsidy for Monsanto and undermining people's
choice.

By investing in GM food, you are increasing farmers' dependency on corporate
agribusiness, threatening food security and biodiversity. Because of this
dependency, many farmers are locked into high debts and as a result, farmer
suicides, especially in developing countries, are increasing at an alarming
rate. There are no socio-economic
benefit in GM crops because of the expensive seed costs and royalties (Field
Work: Weighing up the Costs and Benefits of GM Crops Strategy Unit of the
Cabinet Office, UK). Instead of working for the interest of public good, you
are favoring the interests of corporate agribusinesses.

Millions of farmers around the world have demonstrated that they can produce
sufficient nutritious food in a sustainable manner, without GMOs. 208
sustainable agriculture projects in 52 developing countries have shown
productivity increases from 50 to 100%. (Reducing Food Poverty by Increasing
Agriculture Sustainability in Developing Countries, J. N. Pretty et al.). If
you really care about improving the health and nutrition of 3rd world
communities we urge you to use your money to directly support small
farmer-centered programs for biodiversity conservation and agro-ecology.

Signed,

Vandana Shiva, Research Foundation for Science, Technology and
Ecology.  Mae-wan Ho, Institute of Science in Society (I-SIS) Caroline
Lucas, Member of the European Parliament, Green Party, UK
Brian Tokar, Institute for Social Ecology
Beth Burrows, Edmonds Institute
Philip L.Bereano, University of Washington
Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy
Californians for GE Free Agriculture
Center for Ethics and Toxics (CETOS)
Organic Consumers Asssociation