• 1 million people against genetically modified food OCT 14, 2010

    • The truth on genetically modified food is needed!

      On September 29, 2010 a petition to freeze the European Union’s approvals of genetically modified (GM) crops reached 1 million signatures.

      That’s 1 MILLION signatures – and as you read this, the number keeps growing.

      But does it matter? (Video after the break).

      Yes, it really does matter!

      European Commission president Barosso wants to re-open approvals of GM foods in Europe.

      Barosso and GM crops

      But approval of GM crops in the EU can be frozen if a total of 1 million people sign the petition – and if enough signatures are received from each individual country. This will give time for more information on GM crops. And this is needed!

      Right now Denmark is the only country with not enough signatures. If you live in Denmark, you can sign here.

      But what’s the problem with GM crops?

      There is a great deal of interest in GM crops, and they are often said to have many benefits. With GM crops we can potentially grow more food on less land, or the crops themselves can be more resistant to pests, and have higher nutrient value.

      That sounds great, but – and this is a BIG but – there can be unforeseen and dangerous consequences.

      Unforeseen consequences are appearing

      We actually don’t know much about the long term effects of GM crops. This itself is enough to say “hold on a minute”. Besides, the scientific evidence of the effects of GM crops is growing – and some of it looks disturbing.

      • A recent Austrian study found that fertility rates fell in mice who ate GM maize – a type of maize that has been approved by the EU.
      • The offspring of rats fed GM soya had 4 times the death rate compared to those fed non-GM soya
      • Rats fed insecticide-producing GM maize grew more slowly, and suffered problems with liver and kidney functions compared to those fed non GM maize

      Some GM crops – designed to be toxic to different pest insects – are also deadly for other insects, and even for some that are good for the crops. The toxins also damages the quality of the soil.

      Other GM crops – designed to resist pesticides – can mess up our hormone system (endocrine disrupters). Many weeds are now also becoming resistant to the pesticides. This is a growing problem in the United States and other places where GM crops designed to resist the “RoundUp” pesticide are used on a large scale.

      There are many more results like this. If you think these things are important, read some more in the links below, or head over and sign the petition.

      Watch this movie on GM foods

      links