Image via WikipediaGMO Journal
Would You Eat Genetically Altered Salmon?
although FDA preliminary concluded that GE salmon is safe for human consumption, its own papers indicate that certain of ABT’s studies “have technical flaws” or provide “insufficient data” and suggest that ABT conduct additional studies prior to commercialization of GE salmon. The study on changes in the morphology of the new GE salmon, for example, involved only 12 fish and the limited study on possible allergic reactions involved only 6 fertile GE fish and 6 infertile fish. The agency also did not evaluate the impact of the growth hormone because it is a patented design and will only “be evaluated at a subsequent step of the hierarchical review process.” Even more alarming is the fact that ABT’s Chief Executive Ronald Stotish admitted that the company “has done no animal or human clinical trials.”
Comment is free - Guardian UK
Who dares question the industrial food system over GM salmon?
This isn't the first time we've had to worry about IGF-1. In the 1990s, the FDA approved the use of genetically engineered recombinant bovine-growth hormone (rBGH, also known as rBST) to induce cows to produce more milk.
My reporting convinced me that rBGH posed a greater risk to cows than to humans, as the unnaturally high rate of milk production stressed the animals, sometimes resulting in an infection known as mastitis. (Which is treated with antibiotics. Which enter the food supply. Which – well, you get the picture.)
But cows given rBGH, like genetically altered salmon, also have higher levels of IGF-1, some of which makes its way into the milk. Not enough to worry about? Perhaps. But if salmon and milk and a whole range of edible food-like substances (to use Michael Pollan's phrase) yet to come contain elevated levels of IGF-1, when, exactly, are we supposed to start worrying?
In addition to being linked to colon, prostate and breast cancer, IGF-1 isa trigger for puberty, which has led to speculation that too much could cause puberty to come about prematurely. IGF-1 also has its uses, both legitimate and dubious. When human-growth hormone is administered as a corrective to children with certain rare types of hormonally based dwarfism, it stimulates the production of IGF-1, which in turn boosts growth. A quick search of the internet also reveals that IGF-1 is touted as an anti-aging formula and as a body-building substance.
As it happens, I recently finished Jared Diamond's celebrated book Guns, Germs and Steel, which, among other things, explains the civilising effects of domesticating – that is, genetically altering – certain plants and animals. But genetic engineering as practiced in the Fertile Crescent thousands of years ago contained within it certain limits that ensured some degree of safety. Even the green revolution of the 1960swas based on tried-and-true methods of selective breeding.
By contrast, modern scientific tools allow genetic engineers to try just about anything in order to see what will happen. AquaBounty's Atlantic salmon, for instance, contain a growth-hormone gene from Chinook salmon – and another gene from an entirely different fish, the ocean pout, which has the effect of keeping that growth-hormone gene switched on. The result is an alien creature, unknown in the natural world.
Calgary scientist develops controversial tools aimed at reducing climate change
Keith's theories focus on two things: "levitating" engineered nano-particles, and releasing sulphuric acid in a condensed vapour above the earth.
Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Calgary+scientist+develops+controversial+tools+aimed+reducing+climate+change/3497182/story.html#ixzz0yzaTr0Tx
Keith's theories focus on two things: "levitating" engineered nano-particles, and releasing sulphuric acid in a condensed vapour above the earth.
Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Calgary+scientist+develops+controversial+tools+aimed+reducing+climate+change/3497182/story.html#ixzz0yzaTr0Tx
"State Secrets" Trump Justice Again
This is a sad day not only for the torture victims whose attempt to seek justice has been extinguished, but for all Americans who care about the rule of law and our nation's reputation in the world. To date, not a single victim of the Bush administration's torture program has had his day in court. If today's decision is allowed to stand, the United States will have closed its courtroom doors to torture victims while providing complete immunity to their torturers. The torture architects and their enablers may have escaped the judgment of this court, but they will not escape the judgment of history.
9th. Anniversary of 911 rolls around with Neocons calling for war with Iran
http://suzieqq.wordpress.com/2010/09/09/9th-anniversary-of-911-rolls-around-with-neocons-calling-for-war-with-iran/
9th. Anniversary of 911 rolls around with Neocons calling for war with Iran
http://suzieqq.wordpress.com/2010/09/09/9th-anniversary-of-911-rolls-around-with-neocons-calling-for-war-with-iran/
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment