Stop S.510 - Fake "Food Safety" Bill

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Comment by Dr. Shirley Hill on December 6, 2010 at 2:05pm

Monsanto scientists became the first to genetically modify a plant cell in 1982. Five years later, Monsanto conducted the first field tests of genetically engineered crops.
Through a process of mergers and spin-offs between 1997 and 2002, Monsanto made a transition from chemical giant to biotech giant. Part of this process involved the 1999 sale by Monsanto of their phenylalanine facilities to Great Lakes Chemical Corporation (GLC) for $125 million. In 2000, GLC sued Monsanto because of a $71 million dollar shortfall in expected sales.
What’s the Problem with Labeling Genetically-Modified (GM/GMO) Foods?
Since genetically-modified (GM/GMO) crops came onto the market, there’s been a lot of debate about whether foods containing ingredients from GM crops should be labeled. Some people believe it’s a right-to-know issue, and all products containing ingredients from GM crops should be labeled as such. Others believe that since there’s no difference between GM and non-GM ingredients, labeling shouldn’t be required.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees food labeling laws in the United States. The FDA has determined that where genetically-modified crops don’t differ from non-GM crops, that products containing them don’t have to be labeled. FDA does require the product to be labeled if the ingredient is a potential allergen, or somehow changes the nutritional properties of the food. To date, no approved biotech crop is either an allergen, or has any significant nutritional differences from non-GM counterparts.

Some might ask what the harm would be in requiring the labeling of products. U.S. labeling laws are based on health and safety. Requiring labeling for ingredients that don’t pose a health issue would undermine both our labeling laws and consumer confidence. Ensuring that such labeling is accurate would also put a huge burden on regulatory agencies.

QUESTION: HOW DO YOU GENETICALLY ALTER A PLANT WITHOUT MAKING IT DIFFERENT. AND HOW DO YOU EAT THE PRODUCT THAT CONTAINS THE ALTERED GENE WITHOUT THE BODY RECOGNIZING IT, TAGGING IT, AND DESTROYING IT? IT IS CALLED AN AUTO-IMMUNE DISEASE, WHEN THE BODY ATTACKS ITSELF BECAUSE IT IS NOW MINGLED WITH THAT WHICH IS NOT SELF.