Rim Country Gazette: 'Secret virus' hidden in GMO crops

Rim Country Gazette: 'Secret virus' hidden in GMO crops

Yet another disturbing reason has emerged as to why you should be avoiding health-devastating genetically modified organisms, and it may be one of the most concerning yet. We know that GMO consumption has been linked to a host of serious conditions, but one thing we are not so sure about is the recent discovery of a hidden viral gene deep within genetically modified crops.

For years, GMOs have been consumed knowingly and unknowingly around the globe, with Monsanto and the United States government claiming that the altered franken crops are perfectly safe despite very limited (or virtually none in some cases) initial testing and scientists speaking out against the dangers. One such danger that has actually not been spoken about has been revealed in a recent report by a safety watchdog group known as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Can A Rose Catch Your Cold? Threat Of 'Killer' Viral Plant Gene Is Latest Anti-GMO Rant - Forbes

Can A Rose Catch Your Cold? Threat Of 'Killer' Viral Plant Gene Is Latest Anti-GMO Rant - Forbes

As the Genetic Literacy Project’s Jon Entine reports, genetic science deniers like the Organic Consumers Association, the Institute for Responsible Technology and many organizations that describe themselves as ‘progressive’ are again loudly ringing the anti-genetically modified organism fear-and-panic bell.

The latest ‘greatest danger to ever face humanity’ emerged with the publication last month of an obscure, technical study in GM Crops & Foods, a prominent biotech journal. The article, ungainly titled “Possible consequences of the overlap between the CaMV 35S promoter regions in plant transformation vectors used and the viral gene VI in transgenic plants,” by scientists Nancy Podevin and Patrick du Jardin, has set off a feeding frenzy among the scientifically unwashed.

The hysteria traces to “Independent Science News” (ISN) an Ithaca-New York based Orwellian-named two-year old anti-technology advocacy disguised as a news site, and treated by many activists who carry its stories as such. The saga began when two ISN “journalists” posted an article, Regulators Discover a Hidden Viral Gene in Commercial GMO Crops.

A-Z: O for Organic Food

Hi! Welcome to A-Z! Have you heard of the Euro-leaf?
Take the 12 stars of the European flag on one side, a mint leaf on the other.

Just put one on top of the other!

This label must be on all European organic products. But what is organic? Organic food comes from organic farming. It's produced while protecting the environment. To have the European organic label, farmers must use the most natural methods possible, respecting the cycles of the earth, plants and animals.

1. Vary the crops every year so as not to impoverish the soil. Choose species suitable for the region and alternate them.
2. Avoid chemicals as much as possible when enriching the soil or plants, when protecting crops against disease and insects, or when treating animals.
3. No growing of genetically modified organisms, the famous GMOs.
4. As much as possible, use the farm's own resources: the animals' manure to feed the soil, and crops to feed the animals. And
5. Respect the animals' welfare. In practice, an organic chicken looks like this. On this organic farm there are 4,800 chickens.

It seems like a lot but it's not compared to industrial farms with 50,000 chickens. Organic chickens have more space than ordinary ones. One square metre inside the shed for 10 birds. Four square metres each outdoors to stretch their legs. And you can't give them just anything to eat. On the menu it's all organic. Over to the farmer...

For the 4,800 chickens we have inside here, we have two hectares of outdoor area. In addition, the feed obviously has to be organic. We have here wheat, maize, peas, horse beans, a little soya...

That's all good, but apparently since 2009 livestock can be fed on non-European products. So how can we be sure that organic animals only eat organic?

Over to the controller... We can take as many samples as we want. We send it to the laboratory and they can see if there are any pesticides, fungicides or other products which are not allowed in biological agriculture. So organic is natural.

It's guaranteed by the European organic label. But not really 100% as it's practically impossible to check the whole organic chain in the whole European Union, from the farm to your plate. So the Euro-leaf accepts foods with 5% of non-organic ingredients.

If you like organics, look out for the Euro-leaf. But read the labels carefully. Bye!

GMO Virus: Silent Killer? | Interview with Alexis Baden-Mayer

Abby Martin talks to Alexis Baden-Mayer, Political Director for the Organic Consumers Association, about a recent discovery by the European Food Safety Authority, which found a viral gene unsafe for human consumption in almost all GMOs

Fresh concerns over safety of GM foods

Fresh concerns over safety of GM foods

The UK's Daily Mail carried this item on Thursday, January 24:

A virus gene that could be poisonous to humans has been missed when GM food crops have been assessed for safety.

GM crops such as corn and soya, which are being grown around the world for both human and farm animal consumption, include the gene.

A new study by the EU's official food watchdog, the European Food Safety Authority(EFSA), has revealed that the international approval process for GM crops failed to identify the gene.

As a result, watchdogs have not investigated its impact on human health and the plants themselves when assessing whether they were safe.

The findings are particularly powerful because the work was carried out by independent experts, rather than GM critics.