Protesters in Europe have labeled genetically modified (GM) products as "Frankenstein foods". In May 1999, the British Medical Association issued a statement to the government against the introduction of GM foods. Concerns include an irreversible impact on the environment, farming practices, human health (fear of new cancers, birth defects and dangers to the immune system), separating GM and non GM crops, labeling of products, increase use of pesticides and herbicides and that non GM foods be readily available for consumers.

Genetically modified foods are in your diet right now and you probably don't know it! It is estimated that over 70% of processed foods currently sold in Canadian supermarkets have been genetically modified. The whole foods now approved for genetic engineering in Canada include soy, corn, canola, potatoes and tomatoes. Despite this, there are few labels to identify which foods have been altered. Dr. David Suzuki cautions Canadians that politicians and scientists are performing a massive experiment on millions of people the results of which will not be known for decades. These products have not been proven safe, as the experiments have not been done on humans. Genetically engineered pig and salmon have created bazaar results. The pig was unable to stand or walk, and the salmon had a monster head, and couldn't swim, eat or breathe properly. These are only a few examples of hundreds of such outcomes. According to Richard Wolfson, PhD of the Consumer Right to Know Campaign, cattle, deer, hogs and raccoons will not eat GM crops growing in the fields, but will seek out the non GM crops to eat!

Genetic engineering (GE) is a form of genetic surgery, carried out in the laboratory, where genes (DNA particles) are transferred from one organism to another. These genes reprogram the cells of that organism to function in new ways. For example the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin is injected into Russet potatoes for the purposes of killing the major potato pest the Colorado potato beetle. Up until the introduction of GE, organic and sustainable farmers have been using the natural form Bt toxin topically on their crops, which is washed away with rain, difficult to apply to large fields and labour intensive. Large conventional farms have not used it for these reasons. With the Bt toxin inserted right into the genes, the pesticide is right inside the plant raising several concerns. These potatoes contain Bt toxin, resistance of the potato beetle to Bt toxin will inevitably occur, organic farmers will find the natural Bt toxin no longer effective due to resistance of the beetle, and they may also find it hard to get the natural form of the Bt toxin.

Monsanto Co. of the US, who is best known as the maker of Agent Orange and PCB's, is one of the major companies working in Canada to convince farmers and the government to switch to GM crops. Canadian farmers who grow GM crops, especially corn and canola, find themselves in a bind these days as they try to market their GM crops to Europe who are refusing them! In Canada approximately 60% of all canola, 45% of corn and 30% of soy crops are GM products.

Countries opposed to GM foods and which require labeling include Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Mexico, Brazil and the European Union. Canada and the US have no such law as yet, however public outcry will hopefully change this in the near future.

You may be familiar with the tryptophan fiasco that happened in 1989 ago where a "contaminated" batch of tryptophan caused thirty deaths and illness in thousands of people. What may not be commonly known was the contamination was due to genetic engineered tryptophan created by a Japanese manufacturer, and the legal battles still ensue. Many food items contain soy products. If they are not marked non GMO call the supplier to clarify. If your child is refusing soy milk the reason may be similar to those cattle that refuse to eat GM foods! Even organically grown soy may be GM! Consider Vitamin E capsules. Most Vitamin E is made from soy oil, and Vitamin E may be made from US grown soy and that soy may be GM! There are no laws in place to segregate GM and non GM crops in Canada or the US so the soy oil at the very least is mixed GM and non GM. As you the consumer demand to know the source of your food, the manufactures will follow suit and switch to non GM sources, when they realize that 68% of Canadians will not buy GM foods if they were labeled as such! Keep in mind this is not the same issue as organic versus non organic. If you want organic sources, make sure they are from non GM crops.

For further information contact Richard Wolfson at 500 Wilbrod Street, Ottawa, ON. Canada, K1N 6N2 tel 613-565-8517, fax 613-565-1596 or contact my office for a GE brochure.

Dr. Pincott has been practicing naturopathic medicine for fourteen years and presently practices in Campbell River. She welcomes your questions at 250-286-3655 or www.drpincott.com

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