Conscious Choice: Dangers of GMO Food

May 2006 | Choice Feedback

Dangers of GMO Food

THANKS FOR HAVING such great articles covering gmo topics in (the April issue). Once people take a minute or 20 to think about what they’re eating, we can break up the whole destructive system, one food choice at a time.
It is imperative to keep publishing information, so that people keep receiving the message that: Yes ! You do have a choice about what goes into your body! Thanks again. Namaste !

— Aurora Danai, Internet

I GREATLY APPRECIATE your coverage of the genetic engineering issue in this month’s Conscious Choice. This is a very important issue that does not receive as much critical examination from the press as it deserves. Also, thanks for promoting the Bioethics 2006 events, as these events will continue to educate the public. Please keep up the good work.

— Rafael Bratman, Chicago

Advertising Complaint

ON THE BACK COVER of your (April issue) of Conscious Choice magazine (“Seeds of Tomorrow” cover), I was shocked and appalled to find an advertisement for Chipotle. How could a magazine such as your own — whose feature articles this month include “What You Need To Know About GMOs” and “You’re Eating What? ” — advertise for a restaurant chain owned by McDonald’s? I find such practices both hypocritical and offensive. While Chipotle may be a healthier alternative, its parent company is responsible for poisoning the public with fattening, artificial products. Please be more conscious of your sponsors.

— Jeff Schneider, Chicago

Thumbs Down To Packing Plants

I WAS DISAPPOINTED to see a “thumbs up” in the (February issue) awarded to the manager of Mickey’s Packing Plant in Great Falls, MT.

I, too, was pleased that he refused to slaughter (the cow) Molly B after she escaped the slaughterhouse. But sparing Molly B’s life while systematically and violently dismembering cows by the thousands illuminates the schizophrenic relationship humans have with animals. Are the others who are slaughtered any less worthy of our compassion and consideration? Just because they are nameless doesn’t mean that they don’t have feelings.

We can’t close the abattoirs tomorrow, but compassionate individuals can end their complicity today. Going vegetarian has never been easier. It’s often simply a matter of choosing a different aisle at the grocery store or a different section of the menu. For more information, visit GoVeg.com.

— Stewart David, Northbrook, IL

Plastic — A Bad Wrap?

YOUR PUBLICATION’S recent Living Green Q&A session entitled “Do Plastics Leach Chemicals?” (February 2006) leaves your readers with misinformation about plastic products and their safety.

Contrary to the article’s claims, phthalates are not used in plastic food packaging sold in the United States, and the vast majority of plastics used in food packaging do not contain the constituents needed to form dioxins.

All plastics intended for food use — whether designed for storage, microwaving, freezing or other purposes — must meet stringent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety standards before they are allowed on the market. Because it is sometimes possible for small amounts of these substances to migrate from the packaging to the food, FDA thoroughly evaluates and regulates these substances to protect the safety of the foods we eat.

Many of today’s plastic products are specifically designed to withstand microwave temperatures. The best advice for your readers is to check the product or packaging label and follow the instructions for proper use.

— Patricia A. Enneking, Managing Director, Plastics Division, American Chemistry Council, Arlington, VA

Tracy Fernandez Rysavy, editor, Co-op America Publications, responds:

This letter highlights the difference between the approaches that the American Chemistry Council and Co-op America take toward human safety.

Not all of the hazards associated with plastics are related to their use in food packaging. As we stated at the beginning of our article, plastics are problematic throughout their life cycles, and some are worse than others.

PVC is of particular concern because dioxin is a byproduct of both its production and incineration. In terms of food packaging, the FDA web page referenced above does admit that chemicals contained in plastic can leach into food; it claims that consumers can feel safe because their level of exposure to these substances is low.

Given that chemicals used in plastic are linked to very serious health conditions and that their cumulative effects and interactions with other chemicals have not been studied as extensively as we would like, we think it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid exposure to them as much as possible.

Co-op America’s work is based on the Precautionary Principle, which, in the face of risks to health or the environment, “involves acting to avoid serious or irreversible potential harm, despite lack of scientific certainty as to the likelihood, magnitude, or causation of that harm.” (See the Precautionary Principle Project website, pprinciple.net.) We believe that in the case of plastic, there is enough concern to warrant acting to avoid serious potential harm.

Eat Your Weeds Workshop

I ENJOYED THE ARTICLE on edible wild plants. I have been using “Eat That Weed” for my annual workshops since 1993! The next one will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 21, and will focus on identifying and using edible weeds and wild plants. Adult participants are invited to discover the plants that Native Americans and early settlers depended on through a lively discussion and a plant I.D. walk. The program will culminate with some samples to taste, and recipes! You may never weed your garden again! There is a $2 fee for the program, which will be held at the Bieszczat Volunteer Resource Center at 6100 N. Central Ave., Chicago (at Edgebrook Golf Course). Space is limited, so advance registration is required by calling 773-631-1790.

— Irene Flebbe, Naturalist, Dept. of Resource Mangement, Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Corrections & Clarifications

In the April 2006 issue of Conscious Choice, the story “Seeds of Tomorrow” incorrectly stated that in 2004 a ballot measure in Mendocino County, Cal., to ban the growth of genetically engineered crops was defeated. That GM crop ban was passed in Mendocino County. In order to further clarify, here’s more information on that aspect of the story:

In 2004, a broad-based coalition of environmentalists, consumers and local business people and politicians were successful in an effort to pass a ballot measure in California’s Mendocino County to ban the growing of genetically engineered crops. The GM crop-ban victory came despite reports that some of the nation’s largest agricultural interests, organized in a trade association called CropLife America, spent more than $500,000 to defeat the county measure.

The ban was the first such move anywhere in the country, and two other California counties quickly followed suit: Marin and Trinity. Then the industry decided to fight back by putting before the California legislature a pre-emptive measure that, if passed, would prevent counties or other local units of government from outlawing GM crops.

Through intensive lobbying on the part of the growing grassroots movement against GM crops, the state bill was held off from consideration and not brought up for a vote, according to Doug Mosel, campaign coordinator for GMO-Free Mendocino. However, the California GM-crop battle is far from over, as the pre-emptive state measure was carried over to this year and could resurface for a vote.

“We are hopeful we can count on our legislators,” said Mosel, explaining that if the bill does not come up for a vote during this year that particular piece of legislation would in effect be dead. But it could be reintroduced, and groups such as the Environmental Commons in Gualala, Calif., believe the fight is far from over.

Express Yourself!
Email comments, or mail to Conscious Choice, 920 N. Franklin Street, Suite 202, Chicago, IL 60610. Letters my be edited for clarity or space and should include the writer’s full name, address and phone number. Names will be withheld upon request. Letters express the views of the writers only and have not been verified.

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