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All the organically grown grains used at
ShaSha Bread Co. are GMO free.
Genetic Engineering
What can you do?
Sample Letter
References
Genetic Engineering (GMO)
Whereas some advocates argue that Genetic Engineering (GE) is more environmentally friendly, Genetically Engineered plants can actually set back the quest for more environmentally friendly farming techniques. Genetic engineering allows scientists to mix 'beneficial' genes (such as pest resistant and cold resistant) with the genes of a plant to cut back on the use of toxic chemical pesticides and herbicides. In a way, this is creating a new form of life, a new species of plant. The director of the U.S. Campaign for Food Safety said, "There's no telling what's going to happen once new life forms get out in the environment. It's not like a chemical spill that we can clean up. This stuff, we're going to have to worry about it for an eternity". There are little or no regulatory restraints, labeling requirements, or scientific protocols for genetically engineered crops and hundreds of new crops are created by bio-engineers, oblivious to the impacts. Genetically engineered crops threaten non-target species like the Monarch butterfly (pollen from GE Bt corn was poisonous to it), kill beneficial insects, damage soil fertility, create "superweeds" and "superpests" immune to pesticides, increase food allergies, lower nutritional value of food, and foster the creation of new viruses.
Genetic manipulation can also increase the levels of natural plant toxins or allergens in food; for example, soybeans spliced with Brazil nuts can cause a severe nut allergy. Virus resistant GE plants cause viruses to mutate into new forms that are more virulent, and new species may overtake/overpower the old species.
Farmers and consumers are fighting for rules and regulations regarding genetically engineered crops. They want standardized labeling and safety testing. They are also pushing for national rules as to what can be defined as organic because right now (in the U.S. and Canada ), there are too many loopholes that include such things as sewage sludge and irradiation to be classed as organic.
One definition of genetic engineering was, "the practice of altering or disrupting the genetic blueprints of living organisms – plants, animals, human, microorganisms – patenting them, and then selling the resulting gene-foods, seeds or other products for profit". True organic farmers, who are actually working towards a greener planet, will not be able to compete with the superweeds and superpests of genetically engineered crops. There are currently more than 48 genetically engineered foods and crops grown or sold in the United States.
There are no labeling requirements for Genetically Engineered (GE) foods in Canada or US To date, more than 40 GE foods are sold to unsuspecting consumers in Canada and US
All the organically grown grains used at ShaSha Bread Co.
are GMO free.
What can you do?
Educate yourself and communicate. Send a message to the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry and vocal supporter, former Senator Eugene Whelan, as well as your own Member of Parliament. Every message is a vote for choice in what we consume.
Sample Letter:
Dear________________________
I have a right to choose what my family and I eat. Therefore, I demand a moratorium on all genetically engineered foods being produced and sold in Canada.
Write more if you have the time, but two lines will convey it all. No postage is needed if you send your mail to Parliament in Ottawa. Uphold your right to choose.
Mr. Eugene Whelan
747 Front Road North
Amherstburg, ON N9V 2V6
Phone (519) 736-4042
Fax (519) 736-1411
Or to your Member of Parliament (MP)
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Call (800) 463-6868 to find out your MP’s name.
References:
Organic Consumers Association. 1999.
Adbusters. Journal of the Mental Environment. Vol.27, p.36, autumn 1999.
Write or fax to:
Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry
The Senate of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada, K1A 0A4
Email: agfo@sen.parl.gc.ca
Honourable Joyce Fairbairn, Chair
Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry
C/O Jessica Richardson
Clerk of the Committee
Room 2, Victoria Building, 140 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
