Monsanto Contaminates Romania with Genetic Engineering

Recent Greenpeace research in Romania has exposed the fact that Monsanto's introduction of genetically engineered soybeans has virtually destroyed both conventional and organic farming in many regions. Neither the Romanian government nor Monsanto applied the precautionary principle in assessing the impact of these crops in agriculture. Berlin, Germany, 11 January 2006 Greenpeace today, joined by a former manager of Monsanto and Limagrain in Romania, Mr Dragos Dima, at a press conference at the International Green Week in Berlin exposed how Monsanto will contaminate EU agriculture with genetically engineered (GE) Soya. U.S. biotech giant made an application in December 2005 to the European Union to grow its genetically engineered (GE) 'Roundup Ready' soybeans across the whole of Europe once its current licence - permitting the beans' import but not cultivation - expires in 2006 (1).more

Update list of products affected by Maple Leaf recall

Update list of products affected by Maple Leaf recall
The following products are affected by the Maple Leaf Consumer Foods and Canadian Food Inspection Agency recall of certain ready-to-eat packaged meat products.
Consumers are warned not to serve or consume the products as they may contain Listeria monocytogenes.
The following foodservice and retail products are affected by this alert. All carry the Establishment # 97B and have a best before date up to and including those specified below. The Establishment # is located near the Best Before or Packaged On date.
32138 Artisan Collection, All Ham Kielbassa, best bef. Oct. 22, 3.5 kg
32125 Artisan Collection, CA OVEN RSTD TKY, best bef. Oct. 22, 4 kg
32136 Artisan Collection, Montreal Smoked Meat, best bef. Oct. 15, 2.5 kg
24171 Best Value, Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 375 g
60271 Bittners, Country Hearth Kielbassa Baked Meat Loaf, Smoked, best bef. Oct. 29, 2 kg
60218 Bittners, Country Hearth Peppercorn Baked Meat Loaf, Smoked, best. bef. Oct. 29, 2 kg
60250 Bittners/Schneiders, All Ham Kielbasa Smoked Sausage, best bef. Oct. 22, 3.5 kg
60215 Bittners/Schneiders, Country Hearth French Onion Baked Meat Loaf, Smoked, best bef. Oct. 29, 2 kg
60213 Bittners/Schneiders, Country Hearth Ham & Bacon Baked Meat Loaf, best bef. Oct. 29, 2 kg
60235 Bittners/Schneiders, Slo-Roast Oven Roasted Boneless Turkey Breast, best bef. Oct. 22, 4 kg
07133 Boston Pizza, Slow Cooked shaved Roast Beef, best bef. Feb. 16, 2009, 750 g
21360 Burns, Bite Size Snack Pepperoni Bites, best bef. Jan. 2, 2009, 500 g
17034 Burns, Bologna, best bef. Oct. 22, 4 kg
17035 Burns, Bologna, best bef. Oct. 22
24945 Burns, Bologna, best bef. Oct. 22, 6 kg
29920 Burns, Bologna, best bef. Oct. 22, 750 g
33030 Burns, Bologna, best bef. Oct. 22, 175 g
24759 Burns, Bung Bologna, best bef. Oct. 22, 3.5 - 4 kg
34908 Burns, Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 15, 375 g
35890 Burns, Cooked Ham, best. bef. Oct. 15, 175 g
18015 Burns, Pepperoni, best bef. Dec. 18, 2.3 kg
19496 Burns, Pepperoni, best bef. Oct. 15, 375 g
46590 Burns, Pepperoni, best bef. Oct 15, 175 g
41452 Burns, Pepperoni Generic, best bef. Oct. 15
60089 Burns, Pizza Toppings (Salami, Smoked Ham, Pepperoni), best bef. Oct. 22, 2.2 kg
10812 Burns, Salami, best bef. Oct. 29, 375 g
17981 Burns, Salami, best bef. Dec. 18, 2.3 kg
41451 Burns, Salami Generic, best bef. Oct. 29
18007 Burns, Summer Sausage, best bef. Dec. 18, 2.3 kg
49743 Burns, Salami, best bef. Oct. 29, 175 g
53640 Burns, Salami, Pepperoni, Summer Sausage, best bef. Oct. 19, 3.98 kg
39691 Campfire, Garlic Sausage, best bef. Oct. 22, 500 g
34219 Compliments, COMPLIMENTS CHKN BRST 12x125g, best bef. Oct. 22, 125 g
34220 Compliments, COMPLIMENTS TURKY BRST 12x12g, best bef. Oct. 22, 125 g
34225 Compliments, Fat Free Chicken Breast, best bef. Oct. 22, 125 g
34226 Compliments, Fat Free Turkey Breast, best bef. Oct. 22, 125 g
50499 Coorsh, Pastrami Smoked Beef, best bef. Oct. 22, 2.1 kg
51275 Coorsh, Smoked Meat 4x50g, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
17418 Country Morning, Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 175 g
82538 Country Morning, Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 375 g
24263 Equality, Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct 22, 375 g
71330 Foodservice, Roast Beef Cooked, Seasoned, best bef. Oct. 1, 10 kg
71331 Foodservice, Food Service Corned Beef/Smkd meat, best bef. Oct. 1, 10 kg
20079 Harmonie, Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 375 g
93199 Hickory Farms, Beef Stick Beef Sausage, best bef. Feb. 16, 2009, 1 kg
06932 Hickory Farms, Beef Stick Beef Sausage, best bef. Feb. 16, 2009, 250 g
16963 Hickory Farms, Beef Stick Beef Sausage, best bef. Feb. 16, 175 g
91004 Hickory Farms, Beef Stick Beef Sausage, best bef. Feb. 16, 375 g
91017 Hickory Farms, Beef Stick Beef Sausage with Roasted Garlic, best bef. Feb. 16, 375 g
93198 Hickory Farms, #2 Beef Stick Beef Sausage, best bef. Feb. 16
00040 Hygrade, Pepperoni, best bef. May 17, 25 g
00042 Hygrade, Barbeque Flavoured Sausage, best bef. May 17, 25 g
00052 Hygrade, Barbeque Flavoured Sausage, best bef. May 17, 25 g
00050 Hygrade, Pepperoni, best bef. May 17, 25 g
00207 Hygrade, Garlic Bologna, best bef. Nov. 16, 500 g
01151 Hygrade, Cooked, Sliced Smoked Meat, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
08448 Kirkland, Signature Smoked Pastrami Beef Rounds, best bef. Oct. 15, 1 kg
07711 Maple Leaf, PREM DELI REG BOLO MP CAS 2PC, best bef. Dec. 18, 4.5 kg
17183 Maple Leaf, #2 Assorted Cooked Meats, best bef. Oct. 22, 5 kg
22930 Maple Leaf, #2 Assorted Smoked Sausage Rings, best bef. Oct. 22, 1.8 kg
22931 Maple Leaf, #2 Bologna, best bef. Oct. 22, 1.5kg
99158 Maple Leaf, #2 Turkey Breast Roast Ends & Pieces Cooked, best bef. Oct. 1, 1 kg
82708 Maple Leaf, All Beef Bologna, best bef. Oct. 29, 375 g
22781 Maple Leaf, Deli Meat Macaroni and Cheese Loaf, best bef. Oct. 15
22919 Maple Leaf, Blood Pudding, best bef. Oct. 29, 425 g
22882 Maple Leaf, Bologna, best bef. Oct. 22, 1 kg
82771 Maple Leaf, Bologna, best bef. Oct. 29, 375 g
80316 Maple Leaf, Cooked Diced All white Turkey Roll, best before Aug. 20, 2009, 2.25 kg
82024 Maple Leaf, Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 375 g
83744 Maple Leaf, Deli Express Smoked Meat 4x50 g, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
60243 Maple Leaf, Deli Gourmet Roast Beef Slices, best bef. Oct. 1, 1 kg
22829 Maple Leaf, Deli Mock Chicken Loaf Rolled in Toasted Wheat Crumbs, best bef. Oct. 15, 3.6 kg
22829 Maple Leaf, Deli Shaved Corned Beef, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
48004 Maple Leaf, Deli Shaved Honey Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
48002 Maple Leaf, Deli Shaved Smoked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
48001 Maple Leaf, Deli Shaved Smoked Meat, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
48003 Maple Leaf, Deli Shaved Smoked Turkey, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
80219 Maple Leaf, EZEE PIZZA (pepperoni, italian style salami, black forest smoke ham), best bef. Oct. 22, 250 g
61380 Maple Leaf, Ezee Sub Dagwood (Salami, Bologna, Smoked Luncheon Meat), best bef. Oct. 22, 375 g
61361 Maple Leaf, Ezee Sub Hero (Pepperoni, Salami, Smoked Ham), best bef. Oct. 22, 375 g
61353 Maple Leaf, Ezee Sub Gourmet (Smoked Turkey Breast, Smoked Ham, Smoked Corned Beef), best bef. Oct. 22, 250 g
68684 Maple Leaf, Ezee Sub Turkey (Smoked Turkey Breast, Smoked Turkey Salami, Smoked Ham Style Turkey), best bef. Oct. 22, 250 g
89442 Maple Leaf, Fully Cooked Grilled Chicken Breast Strips, best bef. Oct. 22, 400 g
89425 Maple Leaf, Fully Cooked Grilled Chicken Breast Strips Seasoned and Glazed, best bef. Oct. 22, 150 g
82718 Maple Leaf, Garlic Bologna, best bef. Nov. 5, 375 g
83166 Maple Leaf, Hot Pepperoni, best bef. Oct. 29, 250 g
22507 Maple Leaf, MAPLE LEAF DELI BOLOGNA 2x4.5 kg, best bef. Feb. 16, 2009, 4.5 kg
33249 Maple Leaf, ML BEEF SALAMI, best bef. Dec. 18, 2.4 kg
22766 Maple Leaf, ML Deli Headcheese Gelatine Added, best bef. Oct. 22, 1.5 kg
22101 Maple Leaf, ML LARGE WAX BOLO 2x4.4 kg, best bef. Feb. 16, 2009, 4.4 kg
22555 Maple Leaf, ML LARGE WAX BOLO 6x4.4 kg, best bef. Feb. 16, 2009, 4.4 kg
21449 Maple Leaf, ML SURE SLI SHVD SMKD TKY 3x1 kg, best bef. Oct. 15, 1 kg
22388 Maple Leaf, ML WAX BOLOGNA BAG 6x1 kg, best bef. Dec. 18, 1 kg
82151 Maple Leaf, ML WISE-CH WAX BOLOGNA 2x4 kg, best bef. Dec. 18, 4 kg
60236 Maple Leaf, Oven Roasted Boneless Turkey Breast, best bef. Oct. 8, 4 kg
83118 Maple Leaf, Pepperoni, best bef. Dec. 18
83130 Maple Leaf, Pepperoni, best bef. Oct. 29, 250 g
83121 Maple Leaf, Pepperoni 50% Less Fat, best bef. Oct. 29, 250 g
22851 Maple Leaf, Salami, best bef. Dec. 18, 2.8 kg
08450 Maple Leaf, Smoked Pastrami Beef Rounds, best bef. Oct. 1, 10 kg
21440 Maple Leaf, Sure Slice Black Forest Style Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 1 kg
21388 Maple Leaf, Sure Slice Combo Pack, best bef. Oct. 1, 1 kg
21444 Maple Leaf, Sure Slice Corned Beef, best bef. Oct. 15, 1 kg
21333 Maple Leaf, Sure Slice Roast Beef, best bef. Oct. 1, 1 kg
21331 Maple Leaf, Sure Slice Smoked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 1 kg
21334 Maple Leaf, Sure Slice Turkey Breast Roast, best bef. Oct. 15, 1 kg
21447 Maple Leaf, Sure Slice Salami, best bef. Oct. 22, 1 kg
82756 Maple Leaf, Thick Sliced Bologna, best bef. 375 g, Oct. 22, 375 g
82015 Mayfair/Marque, Chopped Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 375 g
26365 McDonalds, Sliced Cooked Turkey Breast, best bef. Oct. 1, 470 g
24355 Mitchell's, Cheddar Cheese Smoked Sausage 600 g, best bef. Oct. 22, 600 g
60674 Mitchell's, Mozzarela Cheese Smoked Sausage, best bef. Oct. 22, 600 g
60402 Mitchell's, Smoked Sausage, best bef. 600 g Oct. 22, 600 g
02356 Mr. Sub, Seasoned Cooked Roast Beef, best bef. Oct. 8, 500 g
39144 No Name, Garlic Sausage, best bef. Oct. 22
67768 No Name, Low Fat Smoked Turkey And Ham, best bef. Oct. 15, 375 g
67776 No Name, Low Fat Smoked Turkey Breast, best bef. Oct. 15, 375 g
38164 Northern Best Value, Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 175 g
82023 Olympic Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 175 g
55372 Overlander, Garlic Sausage, best bef. Nov. 5, 300 g
55308 Overlander, Garlic Sausage Double Smoked, best bef. Nov. 5, 300 g
55355 Overlander, Ham Sausage, best bef. Nov. 19, 300 g
55863 Overlander, Hot Pepperoni Stiks, best bef. May 17, 2009, 200 g
55353 Overlander, Kolbassa Sausage, best bef. Nov. 19, 300 g
55867 Overlander, Mild Pepperoni Stiks, best bef. May 17, 2009, 200 g
55559 Overlander, Pepperoni, best bef. Nov. 5, 250 g
55114 Overlander, Pepperoni for Pizza, best bef. Oct. 22, 3.2 kg
55351 Overlander, Polish Sausage, best bef. Nov. 5, 300 g
55558 Overlander, Salami, best bef. Nov. 5, 250 g
55551 Overlander, Summer Sausage, best bef. Nov. 5, 250 g
55350 Overlander, Ukrainian Sausage, best bef. Nov. 18, 300 g
55307 Overlander, Ukrainian Sausage Double Smoked, best bef. Nov. 19, 300 g
01742 Parma, Canadian Style Pepperoni, best bef. Oct. 29, 2.5 kg
01740 Parma, Pepperoni, best bef. Oct. 29, 2.5 kg
01745 Parma, PM PEPPERONI, best bef. Aug. 20, 4x4.5 kg
01750 Parma, Pepperoni, best bef. Oct. 29, 2.5 kg
01741 Pizza Nova, Sliced Pepperoni, best bef. Oct. 29, 2.5 kg
81795 Safeway, Pepperoni Generic, best bef. Oct. 22, 4.07 kg
81809 Safeway, Salami Generic, best bef. Oct. 22, 4.07 kg
88404 Safeway, Three Variety Super Pack (Salami, Pepperoni, Summer Sausage), best bef. Oct. 22, 790 g
48016 Schneider, Deli Shaved Smoked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
48017 Schneider, Deli Shaved Fully Cooked Smoked Honey Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
48018 Schneider, Deli Shaved Smoked Turkey Breast, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
48019 Schneider, Deli Shaved Corned Beef, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
48020 Schneider, Deli Shaved Smoked Meat, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
02106 Schneider's, Bavarian smokies, best bef. Oct. 29, 1 kg
02126 Schneider's, Cheddar smokies, best bef. Oct. 29, 1 kg
09628 Schneiders, Deli Best Seasoned Cooked Roast Beef, best bef. Oct. 15, 2.5 kg
09679 Schneiders, Deli Best Cooked Montreal Style Corned, best bef. Oct. 5, 2.5 kg
24796 Schneiders, Deli Best Cooked Montreal Style Corned Beef, best bef. Oct. 15, 2.5 kg
24802 Schneiders, Deli Best Seasoned Cooked Roast Beef, best bef. Oct. 15, 2.5 kg
42706 Schneiders, Roast Beef, Seasoned and Cooked, best bef. Oct. 8, 500 g
44938 Schneiders, Montreal Style Corned Beef, best bef. Oct. 15, 500 g
89455 Schneiders, JMS SMKD BLK FOREST HAM 12x425 g, best bef. Oct. 22
89456 Schneiders, JMS SMKD BLKK FOREST HAM 20x100 g, best bef. Oct. 22
89458 Schneiders, JMS SMKD TURKEY, best bef. Oct. 15
89460 Schneiders, JMS SPICY PEPPERONI, best bef. Oct. 29
89461 Schneiders, JMS ITAL STYLE SALAMI, best bef. Oct. 29
60165 Schneiders,, Liverwurst Fine, best bef. Dec. 18, 175 g
60166 Schneiders, Liverwurst with Herbs, best bef. Dec. 18, 175 g
60167 Schneiders, Liverwurst Creamy, best bef. Dec. 18, 175 g
27118 Shopsys, Cooked Seasoned Montreal Style Smoked Meat Extra Lean, best bef. Oct. 15, 2.5 kg
21093 Shopsys, Corned Beef 4x50 g, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
20080 Shopsys, Old Vienna All Beef Salami, best bef. Oct. 22, 500 g
20085 Shopsys, Pepperoni, best bef. May 17, 2009, 25 g
27080 Shopsys, Real Deli Corned Beef Extra Lean, best bef. Oct. 15, 2.5 kg
21760 Shopsys, Seasoned Fully Cooked Roast Beef Extra Lean, best bef. Oct. 15
88013 The Butcher's Cut, Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 375 g
88331 The Butcher's Cut, Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 175 g
33544 Tim Hortons, Slow Roast Beef
33540 Tim Hortons, TIM HORTONS ROAST BEEF, best bef. Feb. 16, 2009, 1.25 kg
22357 Western Family, Sliced Cooked Ham, 175 g best bef. Oct. 22, 175 g
22365 Western Family, Sliced Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 375 g
53635 Westfair, Pepperoni Generic, best bef. Oct. 22, 3.98 kg
53619 Westfair Summer Sausage, best bef. Oct. 22, 3.98 kg
53627 Westfair, Salami Generic, best bef. Oct. 22, 3.98 kg
82457 Westfair, Sub Sandwich (Salami, Smoked Ham, Pepperoni), best bef. Oct. 22, 3.91 kg
41450 BURNS, SADDLE-PACK BOLO 12/2x250, best bef. Oct. 22
41825 ML LOUISIANA, BLACKENED ROAST BEEF, best bef. Oct. 8
65757 BURNS, SL SUMMER 12x175 g, best bef. Oct. 15, 175 g
78010 Maple Leaf, Bavarian Smokies, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 4 kg
78023 Maple Leaf, Debreziner Smoked Cooked Sausage, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 4 kg
78016 Maple Leaf, German Bratwurst Sausage, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 4 kg
55357 Maple Leaf, Ham Sausage, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 1.5 kg
78017 Maple Leaf, Hot Italian Sausage, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 4 kg
50579 Maple Leaf, Pizza Gourmet Cooked Italian Sausage Pizza Topping, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 1 kg
50583 Maple Leaf, Pizza Gourmet Cooked Spice Beef Sausage Topping, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 1 kg
50638 Maple Leaf, Rings Tender Pepperoni Sausage, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 24 kg
50624 Maple Leaf, Sliced Pizza Pepperoni, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 5 kg
50652 Rouyn, Pizza Pepperoni, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 24 kg
71350 Shopsys, Sliced Pizza Pepperoni, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 5 kg
71352 Shopsys, Sliced Pizza Pepperoni, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 2.5 kg

A Sad Day: Olympians Tout Botox

Statement of Sidney Wolfe, M.D., Director of the Health Research Group at Public Citizen
It is a sad day when two superb Olympic athletes - whose performances earned a total of 14 gold medals combined - prostitute themselves for undisclosed amounts of money to help Allergan sell Botox. Instead of tens of millions of people watching the athletes’ performances in the past as they strived for their personal best, people will now be able to watch videos of doctors’ performances as they inject former swimmer Mark Spitz and former gymnast Nadia Comaneci with Botox.
This sends a terrible message to athletes, young or old, and to others that they should not accept the way they look as they age but, rather, should try to look their "personal best" by the Botox-enhanced pretense that they are younger than they really are.
Another trouble with this slick marketing campaign is that botulinum toxin (available as Botox and Myobloc) can cause life-threatening adverse reactions. In January, Public Citizen petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to immediately increase its warnings about Botox and Myobloc; adverse reactions can include paralysis of the respiratory muscles and difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), a condition that can allow food or liquid to enter the respiratory tract and lungs, causing aspiration pneumonia. While the data in our petition mainly related to problems associated with the medical use of Botox, adverse reactions can occur with cosmetic use as well. Since when did "personal best" involve subjecting oneself to a risky procedure?
Two weeks after we filed our petition, the FDA issued a press release warning of the dangers of injecting botulinum toxin but stopped short of forcing drug makers to send out warning letters to doctors or putting a black box warning on the drug as we had requested.
By peddling a product that can seriously injure people, these athletes are tarnishing their past athletic achievements. Botox is nothing to play around with. The public should not be lulled into a false sense of security by Allergan’s outrageous caper.
To read Public Citizen’s petition to the FDA, go to: http://www.citizen.org/publications/release.cfm?ID=7559.

Percy Schmeiser

Percy Schmeiser is a Canadian canola farmer who has been sued by agricultural chemical and biotech giant Monsanto after some of Monsanto's genetically engineered Roundup Ready canola genes drifted onto his property from neighboring farms and contaminated his crop.
Mr. Schmeiser, who is now 70 years old, has traveled the world speaking to a wide variety of audiences about his experience.
Mr. Schmeiser received the Mahatma Gandhi award in October, 2000.
Percy Schmeiser speaking at the University of Texas at Austin - October 10, 2001:
I've been farming for 53 years, and 50 years of those I spent in developing a natural breeding of canola. I was known in Western Canada as a seed saver and a seed developer. Besides being a farmer, I've also spent 25 years in public life. I was a member of Parliament and I was also mayor of my community for that length of time. In those years of public life, I was on every agricultural committee you can imagine, both federally and provincially. I've always fought for farmers’ rights and farmers’ privileges, and regulations and laws that would benefit them.
Text on screen:
Rodney Nelson, along with his father and brothers, grows soybeans on their North Dakota farm. His family is also being sued by Monsanto, who accused them of saving and replanting their patented Roundup ready soybeans, a charge Mr. Nelson adamantly denies.
Rodney Nelson (seen speaking from his fields in a tractor - note: taped for this event):
Our family comes from a long line of share renters. Our farm has grown quite dramatically in size over the years because we have always been honest and fair with people. And I believe our landlords realize this. And that's why they come to us to rent us a farm. It has been heart wrenching for us to watch our reputations be destroyed in our own community over something we did not do. My family has been enduring a living hell since this began. I am sure this is what led to my father's recent heart attack a few weeks back. He has been physically and emotionally shattered since this began, as our whole family has been. more @ http://www.mindfully.org/GE/GE4/Heartbreak-In-The-Heartland21jul02.htm

Cloned animals safe to eat, concludes FDA

15/01/2008 11:38:36 PM
Meat and milk from cloned animals is as safe as that from "normal" animals, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has concluded in a 900-plus page safety report.
The FDA says the data show that the meat and milk from cattle, swine and goat clones "are as safe as food we eat every day."
"After years of detailed study and analysis, the Food and Drug Administration has concluded that meat and milk from clones of cattle, swine, and goats, and the offspring of clones from any species traditionally consumed as food, are as safe to eat as food from conventionally bred animals," the agency said in a statement Tuesday.
They noted that their report was limited to cows, pigs and goats; they didn't have enough data to comment on the safety of food from clones of other animal species, such as sheep.
U.S. producers agreed back in 2001 to not bring meat or milk from clones into the food supply, until the FDA could further evaluate the issue. With this report, the last U.S. regulatory hurdle to marketing cloned meat and milk products is now removed.
The Biotechnology Industry Organization applauded the FDA decision in a statement on their website. It says cloning "can effectively help livestock producers deliver what consumers want: high-quality, safe, abundant and nutritious foods in a consistent manner."
But it'll likely be years before consumers can find foods from cloned animals on store shelves. That's because the costs of cloning still make it economically unfeasible.
Nevertheless, the FDA is preparing for the day when manufacturers will want to market meat and milk from cloned animals. It says the first step will be to determine how to phase out the existing voluntary moratorium.
For now, the FDA is asking cloning companies, such as Viagen Inc. and Trans Ova Genetics, to continue the moratorium a little longer, to allow consumers to adjust to the concept.
Several large companies have said they have no plans to sell milk or meat from cloned animals because of consumer anxiety about the technology.
The FDA says that when the market is ready for cloned meat and dairy, it will not require special labeling or other additional measures, "because food derived from these sources is no different from food derived from conventionally bred animals."
It also notes that it is unlikely that the meat and milk from cloned animals will be available for sale in any significant amount; instead, it will likely come from the offspring of those animals. That's because clones would be used for breeding, while their sexually reproduced offspring would be used for producing meat and milk for the marketplace.
Clones would likely be used primarily as breeding animals to introduce desirable traits into herds more rapidly than would be possible using conventional breeding.
As for Canada, a spokesman for Health Canada said there are currently no foods from cloned animals approved for sale in Canada.

FDA poised to OK food from cloned animals

Scientists say meat, milk just as safe as from conventional livestock

WASHINGTON - Federal scientists have concluded there is no difference between food from cloned animals and food from conventional livestock, setting the stage for the government to declare Thursday that cloned animals are safe for the human food supply.

The Food and Drug Administration planned to brief industry groups in advance of an announcement. The agency indicated it would approve cloned livestock in a scientific journal article published online earlier this month.

The agency “concludes that meat and milk from clones and their progeny is as safe to eat as corresponding products derived from animals produced using contemporary agricultural practices,” FDA scientists Larisa Rudenko and John C. Matheson wrote in the Jan. 1 issue of Theriogenology.

Also, FDA believes that no special labels are needed for food from clones or their offspring, the scientists wrote. Consumer groups say labels are a must, because surveys have shown people to be uncomfortable with the idea of cloned livestock.“Consumers are going to be having a product that has potential safety issues and has a whole load of ethical issues tied to it, without any labeling,” said Joseph Mendelson, legal director of the Center for Food Safety...

Manipularea genetica si probleme de bioetica

Dintotdeauna au existat situatii in care apar probleme de ordin moral. Societate umana fiind in continua transformare, problemele cu care ne confruntam sunt diferite. Situatiile care apar ne obliga sa reflectam si sa intelegem noile situatii, astfel incat actiunile noastre sa fie juste. In ultimii zeci de ani stiinta s-a dezvoltat intr-un mod nemaipomenit. Intreaga umanitate se transforma intr-un mod extrem de dinamic, perioada in care o noua descoperire este accesibila unui numar mare de oameni diminuandu-se din ce in ce mai mult. Unul dintre domeniile cele mai importante, care ne vizeaza pe toti in mod direct, este biologia si medicina. Descoperirile din domeniul geneticii sunt cele care au in prezent cea mai mare influenta in aceste doua domenii. Cercetarile intense ale structurilor care compun materialul ereditar au permis geneticienilor sa inteleaga mult mai bine mecanismele care coordoneaza functiile organismelor si modul de transmitere a datelor care ofera trasaturile specifice unui organism.
In fata acestor noi posibilitati de a actiona se cere gasirea unor noi frontiere care sa delimiteze cat mai clar valoarea morala a fiecarei actiuni. Cea care ar trebui sa raspunda noilor provocari este bioetica. Definitia propusa de Dictionarul Oxford este urmatoare: “bioetica este disciplina care studiaza problemele etice rezultate din progresele medicinei si biologiei”. Bioeticianul ar putea fi privit ca un om caruia ii este frica de om. Puterea pe care stiinta o pune la indemana omului este imensa, responsabilitatea revenind acum in intregime constiintei umane. Pericolele care ne pandesc sunt noi, necunsocute si solutiile trebuiesc gasite cat mai repede cu putinta. Bioetica este un punct de intalnire in care se aduna toti cei care urmaresc influenta descoperirilor stiintifice asupra destinului naturii si al omenirii. Am putea afirma ca un bioetician este un pesimist care nu are incredere in intelepciunea speciei umane, care este constient de pericolul scaparii de sub control a stiintei, cel care nu a uitat inca de ororile care au avut loc in numele stiintei in timpul regimurilor comuniste sau naziste si care stie ca oricand omul poate fii propria sa victima. Problemele care apar au o structura foarte nuantata, fiind deosebit de greu de decis cum ar fi corect si bine sa se procedeze in unele cazuri.
Bioetica ar putea fii impartita in trei domenii destul de bine delimitate. Etica medicala sau clinica este cea care este folosita in relatia directa pacient-doctor. Acest aspect a fost destul de neglijat, lasandu - se de obicei la latitudinea deontologiei profesionale si a constiintei medicului alegerea cea mai buna. Dar individualismul accentuat permite pacientului sa ia singur hotarari in ceea ce priveste tratamentul care il va urma, dupa ce a primit toate informatiile. Problema este ca uneori descoperirile sunt foarte recente, nestiindu - se in intregime care ar putea fii efectele secundare nedorite. Astfel doctorul este uneori pus in situatia de a recunoaste ca nici chiar el nu ar putea sa aleaga cel mai bun tratament datorita efectelor care nu sunt pe deplin cunoscute.
O alta parte a bioeticii este etica cercetarii. Problema experimentarilor este una care poate deveni spinoasa cand e vorba de subiecti umani. Mult timp experimentele au fost facute exclusiv pe animale. Chiar daca si aici ar putea aparea intrebari referitor la limita pana la care animalele pot suferi de pe urma acestor experimente, totusi experimentele pe oameni sunt cele care ridica problemele mai mari. De fapt chiar aceste experimente stau la originea primelor comitete de bioetica, mai ales experimentele din lagarele de concentrare nazista. Trebuie respectate si anumite norme de comportament experimental, chiar daca ar fi vorba de animale. In fine, un alt domeniu al bioeticii cuprinde etica sociala, definita ca fiind stiinta care studiaza impactul descoperirilor stiintifice asupra structurilor sociale si pericolele care pot aparea datorita anumitor descoperiri.
Bioetica sau etica medicala umana are principii de baza. Acestea se pot rezuma foarte sumar la urmatoarele trei: principiul autonomiei, principiul beneficiului si principiul evitarii consecintelor nefavorabile. Conform principiului autonomiei fiecare individ este liber sa aiba nu doar orice fel de conceptii morale, politice, economice sau religioase, dar el este proprietarul propriului sau corp, incluzand organele, celulele sau structura ADN, si are libertatea de a avea optiuni in ceea ce priveste “administrarea” acestuia. Astfel un bolnav poate refuza tratamentul propus. Bineinteles si aici intervin anumite restrictii daca bolnavul ar aduce prejudicii sociale prin hotararea sa. Probleme foarte delicate pot aparea in cazul bolilor psihice sau a copiilor. Intr-un astfel de caz o fata de 15 ani din Marea Britanie a avut o tentativa de sinucidere si a fost internata intr-o clinica de psihiatrie. Refuzand tratamentul, medicii au apelat la justitie, motivand ca nu este lucida. In mod normal decizia ar fi trebuit luata de catre parinti, dar curtea a decis ca “parintii natiunii”, Coroana, are mai multa putere decat parintii naturali si a decis in favoarea continuarii tratamentului. Aceasta pozitie a fost primita cu multe rezerve.
Un alt principiu este cel al beneficiului. Acest principiu da nastere unor controverse, deoarece se cere pastrarea confidentialitatii atat timp cat nu pericliteaza viata membrilor familiei sau a comunitatii. Pot aparea insa contradictii intre pastrarea tacerii asupra informatiilor si interesul celorlalti. Nimeni nu trebuie sa fie prejudiciat in interesul bolnavului. Astfel este introdus un element din utilitarism. Se cere ca orice actiune sa aiba ca efect asigurarea fericirii unui grup cat mai mare de oameni. Dar este greu de decis daca trebuie asigurata fericirea majoritatii in detrimentul minoritatii. De exemplu intr-un editorial de bioetica aparut in 1992 este prezentat urmatorul caz: o fetita ar fi supravietuit doar daca i s-ar fi transplantat simultan ficatul si intestinul gros. Interventia medicala era in valoare de 350.000 de dolari iar rezultatul final incert. Parintii fetei au reusit datorita unei ample campanii de mediatizare sa adune suma. Acum se pune intrebarea daca este cel mai mare interes al bolnavei sa supravietuiasca, sau acesta este doar al parintilor ei. Trebuie sa supravietuiasca cu orice pret? Asa considera parintii, dar sa nu uitam ca aceasi suma de bani ar fi ajutat la salvarea a cel putin catorva sute, daca nu chiar mii, de copii africani. Din acest principiu rezulta si ultimul principiu, cel al evitarii consecintelor nefavorabile. Multe persoane din lumea a treia sau din tarile sarace sunt dispuse sa-si vanda un organ pentru a-si asigura o viata mai buna. Este corect sa se accepte traficul de organe? Teoretic, omul are dreptul asupra propriului corp, asupra organelor sale. Dar daca ar fi acceptata comercializarea de organe s-ar ajunge la inegalitati, cei care si-ar permite sa cumpere organele necesare fiind doar cei bogati, in timp ce saracii ar fi cei care si-ar vinde organele pentru o stare financiara mai buna. Astfel s-a acceptat idea ca nici un organ nu poate fi comercializat datorita abuzurilor care ar putea aparea. Au fost si cazuri de prelevare a organelor fara consimtamantul donorului. Astfel niste tarani din Turcia au fost convinsi in schimbul unei sume relativ mici sa mearga in Marea Britanie si sa-si vanda un rinichi. Intorsi in tara au povestit autoritatilor ceea ce li s-a intamplat, unul dintre ei fiind condamnat la inchisoare pentru trafic de organe, lucru interzis in Turcia. Se pare ca traficul cu organe este o problema reala, chiar daca nu este bine cunoscuta. Exista adevarate retele care se ocupa cu asa ceva. In perioada 1976-1990 aproximativ o suta de oameni dispareau anual dintr-unul din cele mai mari spitale din Argentina. Copii abandonati din America Latina (Columbia, Uruguai, Paraguai, Haiti) au fost omorati undeva la granita dintre Mexic si SUA, pentru ca alti copii din America de Nord sau Europa sa primesca organe de schimb. Originea lor nu conta, atat timp cat copii celor care plateau erau salvati.
Nu de mult timp a fost “cartografiat” in intregime sistemul nostru erditar. HUGO (Human Genome Organization) este numele proiectului atat de indraznet. Au fost secventionate toate cel aproximativ 100.000 de gene care definesc genomul uman. Genele umane sunt foarte variate, unele fiind compuse din aproxiamtiv 2 milioane de baze, iar altele din doar cateva mii de nucelotide. Unele secvente de ADN sunt nefunctionale, multe nu joaca nici un rol in sinteza proteinelor. Acum vom putea compara harta noastra genetica cu cea a altor specii. Se stie deja ca intre noi si cimpanzei exista doar o diferenta de 2% in ceea ce priveste constitutia genomul. Dar nu numai asupra materialului ereditar al omului se indreapta cercetarile, ci si asupra plantelor si animalelor care au importanta economica sau alimentara. Se incearca descoperirea unor noi hibrizi cu o productivitate mai mare, rezistenta mai sporit la boli sau paraziti, cat mai putin pretentioase in privinta mediului. Dar si aici apar noi probleme in ceea ce priveste manipularea genelor. Au aparut deja animale transgenice, care sfideaza pur si simplu legile naturii. Pana unde se poate merge in experimentarea acesta? In loc sa fie protejate speciile pe cale de disparitie, se incearca obtinerea unor noi animale prin manipulare unor gene apartinand unor specii diferite. Daca unul dintre aceste noi organisme reuseste sa ajunga in natura si va reusi sa se adapteze? Sunt destule exemple in care au fost introduse specii de animale in zone unde nu aveau dusmani naturali si se stie bine ca ecosistemul a fost grav perturbat.
Totusi mai important este sa vizualizam modul in care poate fi folosit materialul ereditar uman in scopuri care contravin moralei. Ceea ce a demonstrat HUGO este ca suntem cu toti asemanatori nu datorita perfectiunii ADN-ului nostru, ci datorita mutatiilor noastre. Probabil avem cu totii acelasi numar de mutatii, doar ca unele se manifesta, altele nu in functie de recesivitate sau heterozigotie. Totusi in viitorul nu prea indepartat poate aparea pericolul discriminarii genetice. Astfel in urma unor teste vor fi selectati canditatii pentru un anumit post. In unele domenii, cum ar fi cele in ale carui mediu exista o radioactivitate crescuta, deja sunt alesi muncitori care s-au dovedit mai rezistenti in urma testelor genetice la un astfel de mediu nociv. Este mai simplu pentru companii sa aleaga persoanele care au o rezistenta naturala la anumite medii nocive decat sa schimbe mediul in care se lucreaza. Astfel este ocolita plata suplimentara a unor ingrijiri medicale. In SUA se contureaza deja discriminarea genetica in domeniul asigurarilor medicale si al muncii. Nu sunt asigurati de catre companii cei care in urma testelor dovedesc o anumita predispozitie spre boli grave. Poate ca ar fi justificata din punct de vedere economic o astfel de atitudine, dar nu si din punct de vedere moral. S-a mers chiar mai departe. Departamentul Apararii din SUA a recomandat instituirea unei banci ADN cu probe ale tuturor fortelor armate, pentru a servi la identificare in cazul unor conflicte. Multi soldati sunt puternic desfigurati in astfel de conditii, deci nu ar fi o propunere irationala, dar este periculoasa acceptarea ei. Ar viola viata privata a celor al caror ADN se afla intr-o astfel de banca, putandu-se afla anumite informatii care ar trebui sa ramana confidentiale (stare de sanatate, paternitate…) Apoi odata creata aceasta prima banca va fi posibila infiintarea altora. De aici nu va mai fi decat un singur pas pana la inregistrarea fiecaruia intr-o astfel de banca de date. Urmarile unor astfel de situatii sunt usor de imaginat, si ele chiar au fost imaginate. Aldous Huxley in “Minunata lume noua” prezinta o astfel de lume. O inginerie sociala bine pusa la punct folosea genetica pentru a crea o societate stabila, in care fiecare trebuia sa fie multumit de locul care ii era predestinat. Aparitia oamenilor era foarte riguros planificata. Nu mai existau nasteri naturale, aparitia noilor copiilor era un proces industrializat, mecanicizat, un proces stiintific foarte clar. Un ovul recoltat de la acele femei care mai aveau dreptul de a fi fertile, dupa ce era fecundat era folosit in perioada de totipotenta a celulelor pentru a se obtine alti 96 de embrioni. Apoi fiecare embrion era supus unor conditii deosebite in functie de rolul social pe care urma sa il ocupe. Privarea de oxigen, otravirea cu alcool sau injectarea de hormoni care opreau dezvoltare embrionului erau niste metode destul de brutale pentru a se obtine indivizii doriti. Putini embrioni erau lasati sa se dezvolte normal, acestia facand parte din castele superioare. Procedeul de educare al copiilor sau toate celelate principii care stateau la baza unei astfel de societati sunt mai putin importante acum. Important este ca totul pleca de la manipularea genetice, fiecare fiind predestinat sa ocupe un loc precis in societate, pe care nu si l-ar fi putut alege liber. Eugenismul, discriminarea sau favorizarea unui anumit tip de oameni in defavoarea altora este un pericol mereu prezent.
Goana dupa “copilul perfect” se pare ca a inceput. Este o tendinta generala de a fi apreciat un anumit model de om ca fiind perfect, ceilalti fiind lipsiti de consideratie si drepturi. Deja este o rutina alegerea sexului viitorului copil. Bineinteles, lucrurile nu se vor opri aici. Va exista un model perfect pe care fiecare parinte si-l va dori ca si copil. Diversitatea va fi ignorata, chiar desconsiderata, renegata. Sau vor fi sacrificati uni copii pentru a putea fi salvati altii. Un astfel de caz este cel al lui Adam Nash. Parintii sai l-au nascut doar pentru a putea fi salvata fiica lor mai mare. Embrionul sau a fost astfel ales incat nu numai sa nu contina boala rara a sangelui pe care o avea sora sa, dar trebuia ca si tesuturile sa fie compatibile. Acest exemplu nu face altceva decat sa confirme faptul ca societatea nu se adapteaza suficient de repede din punct de vedere moral la schimbarile fulgeratoare produse de ultimele descoperiri stiintifice.
Alegerea unui viitor copil in functie de materialul sau ereditar va duce la noi forme de discriminare sociala. Astfel vor putea fi preferati copiii care au pielea mai deschisa la culoare, sau cei care au o predispozitie aparte fata de anumite domenii. De asemenea vor fi respinsi nu doar embrionii care sufera de boli genetice, dar si cei care au o predispozitie spre homsexualitate sau alcoolism. Unele grupari minoritare din America se simt deja amenintate de aceste posibilitati, liderii unor comunitati de afroamericani sau latino considerand ca vor fi preferati viitorii copii cu pielea deschisa la culoare.
Programul genomului uman implica numeroase intrebari care deocamdata nu au un raspuns, dar care vor avea un mare impact asupra deciziilor politice, reactiilor sociale si reglementarilor etice.Cine va controla informatiile obtinute si cum se va asigura confidentialitatea? Cine va beneficia de testarea genetica si in ce conditii va fi ea obligatorie? In ce masura un individ are libertatea de a solicita modificarea genomului sau? Are dreptul unul dintre parinti sa ceara modificarea materialului genetic al copilului sau cum va fi evitata discriminarea genetica? Cum vor fi tratati parintii care vor cere un copil perfect? Cui va fi accesibila terapia genetica? Se va accepta controlul vietii psihice, ameliorarea coeficientului de inteligenta spre exemplu?
Nu am amintit nimic de problemele ridicate de conceperea copiilor in vitro. Problemele ridicate de viitorul copil care se va naste dintr-un embrion fertilizat in vitro sunt deosebit de nuantate. Uneori este donat ovulul, alteori spermatozoizii, alteori ambele sunt donate de catre un cuplu fertil, dar unde femeia poate purta o sarcina. Uneori sarcina nu poate fi purtata de mama care doneaza ovulul si atunci se apeleaza la mama de imprumut, la o mama purtatoare. Inca nu este clar ce legaturi apar intre mama care poarta fatul si aceasta, dar uneori se intampla ca mama purtatoare sa nu mai vrea sa cedeze copilul. Uneori un copil poate avea chiar patru parinti: mama care doneaza ovulul, tatal care doneaza spermatozoizii, mama care poarta copilul (mama legala) si sotul acesteia, care este considerat si tatal legal al copilului. Ar fi exagerat sa ne mai inchipuim ce se intampla cand mama purtatoare este mama mamei donatoare. Ce fel de relatii se restabilesc in cadrul familiei? Noul copil va fi si fiu si nepot (fiica sau nepoata), mama va avea si o sora si un copil.Toate aceste probleme ne vor obliga sa adoptam o pozitie si se pare ca va trebui sa o adoptam cat mai repede. Bioetica trebuie sa faca fata noilor provocari ale stiintei si trebuie sa ofere raspunsuri cat mai viabile. Apoi restul depinde doar de cei care iau deciziile politice, juridice, sociale sau administrative sa decida care este cea mai potrivita cale de a rezolva o situatie particulara.
Bibliografie:
Noile frontiere - Introducere in bioetica, C. Maximilian, Stefan Milcu, Sylvain Poenaru, Ed. “Pan – Publishing House”, Bucuresti 1995Minunata lume noua - Aldous Huxley, Ed. Univers, 1997Lista cu pagini de web care dezbat probleme de bioeticahttp://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/ethics/Explorand etica geneticii, Heather Rock Woods, articol publicat in 3 ianuarie 1996, http://www.service.com/PAW/morgue/cover/1996_Jan_3.COVER03.htmlProgramul conferintei din 1-2 iulie 2001 de la Universitatea din Dublin http://www.mariecurie.org/external/basisofconf.htmDilema bioeticii, Jill McCainhttp://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/04/science/04BLOO.html.Articolul despre Adam Nash, Copilul conceput pentru a salva viata surorii salehttp://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/04/science/04BLOO.htmlFilmul GATTACA, 1998

INDUSTRIA ROMÂNEASCĂ DE PROCESARE A CĂRNII - VICTIMĂ A INTEGRĂRII EUROPENE

Marius Mioc [Toate articolele acestui autor]

DIN 32 de firme din judeţul Timiş care se ocupă cu procesarea cărnii şi laptelui, numai una îndeplineşte normele europene, aflăm dintr-un articol publicat de „Evenimentul Zilei - ediţia de Vest” din 1 februarie 2006. Pentru un abator, investiţia minimă necesară conformării la standardele europene este 3 milioane euro, scrie ziarul. „Creşterea porcilor în gospodăriile ţărăneşti se va permite doar pentru consumul familiei (…) Ţăranilor li se va interzice însă să comercializeze carnea porcilor din propria bătătură”, mai sîntem informaţi.

Aşadar, aceasta este economia de piaţă în concepţia Uniunii Europene: nu e vorba de libera competiţie între firmele multinaţionale şi micii producători, în care cel mai eficient din punct de vedere economic cîştigă, ci de eliminarea de pe piaţă a micilor producători, prin norme birocratice croite înadins pentru a fi imposibil de respectat de micii producători. Demagogic se invocă protecţia consumatorilor, de parcă fără o investiţie de 3 milioane euro nu se poate sacrifica un animal în condiţii igienice. Ţăranilor sau micilor întreprinzători li se va interzice vînzarea cărnii nu doar în cazurile în care, la o analiză sanitară, reiese că marfa are probleme, ci ca principiu: trebuie să le intre în cap că nu e de nasul lor să facă concurenţă firmelor multinaţionale. Cu îngăduinţă, ţăranul e încă lăsat să-şi crească porc pentru propria sa familie, dar cu condiţia ca sacrificarea acestuia să se facă tot la abatorul firmei multinaţionale, la preţul pe care aceasta îl stabileşte (la 3 milioane euro investiţie minimă, nu vor fi prea multe abatoare, deci nici competiţie în acest domeniu economic).

În ceea ce priveşte exportul, s-a rezolvat deja, autorizaţie de export are numai cine trebuie: „Singurul abator [din judeţul Timiş - nota mea] care întruneşte toate standardele şi este autorizat să facă export este Agrotorvis SRL, aparţinînd companiei americane Smithfield Foods Inc.”. Trebuia însă rezolvată problema pieţii interne româneşti, unde prea mulţi bani rămîneau în mîna românilor. A învinge micii producători români doar prin raportul calitate/preţ a produselor este imposibil, dar marile firme au un aliat în această luptă economică: Statul.

Firească va fi creşterea preţurilor la produsele alimentare, imediat după integrarea în UE. Cine a investit 3 milioane euro într-un abator va avea pretenţia să-şi recupereze investiţia. Statul, cu întreaga forţă de constrîngere a aparatului poliţienesc şi birocratic, va asigura eliminarea celor care ar putea face concurenţă investitorilor (în majoritate străini, dar şi unii mari bogătaşi români): inspectorii sanitar-veterinari vor închide abatoarele care „nu respectă standardele”, poliţiştii şi jandarmii vor face controale în pieţe, ca nu cumva să vîndă cineva neautorizat, instanţele judecătoreşti îi vor pedepsi pe cei care nu respectă regulile. Iar noi, românii de rînd, vom scoate mai mulţi bani din buzunar pentru mîncare, sau ne vom învăţa să mîncăm mai puţin.

Creascătorii de păsări, în pragul falimentului

Creascătorii de păsări spun că sunt aprope de faliment. Temerile legate de gripa aviară i-a determinat pe oameni să cumpere mai puţină carne de pasăre. Pe lângă asta, importurile masive au făcut ca producţia autohtonă să scadă drastic. Pierderile în numai trei luni se ridică la peste 1.200 de miliarde de lei.

Crescătorii spun că s-au plâns în repetate rânduri autorităţilor, să ia măsuri legate de reducerea importurilor sau de creşterea taxelor vamale. Dar, cum până acum nu s-a obţinut nici un rezultat, crescătorii acuză autorităţile de complicitate la infracţiunea de "dumping".

Preşedintele Uniunii Crescătorilor de Păsări din România, Ilie Van, susţine că panica creată de gripa aviară a făcut ca vânzările de carne de pasăre să scadă cu 60%. Stocurile în momentul de faţă se ridică la 20 de mii de tone, faţă de numai 2.000, câte erau în urmă cu un an ...

Aceasta nu este însă singura problemă. Cea mai mare parte din carnea de pui din import (160.000 de tone, în 2005 - la un consum de 375.000 de tone) provine din Statele Unite, în condiţiile în care câteva regiuni au fost afectate de gripă aviară, iar Uniunea Europeană a refuzat carnea de pui din această ţară, a explicat Ioan Popa.
Ioan Popa spune că în România s-ar consuma carnea aruncată de americani, aceştia preferând să mănânce pieptul. Iar ce ajunge în România, este o carne congelată, de slabă calitate.
"Americanii găsesc importatori români care o cumpără la un preţ de nimic şi o vând aici, unde veniturile sunt mult mai mici", crede Ioan Popa

Campania Greenpeace împotriva ingineriei genetice

Omul începe să corecteze natura. În laboratoarele de inginerie genetică, somonii sunt umflaţi până la dimensiuni de opt ori mai mari decât mărimea lor iniţială, iar anumitor soiuri de porumb li se măreşte rezistenţa la dăunători prin intervenţii genetice. Justificările enunţate de ştiinţă şi economie sunt reprezentate de „carenţe” ale naturii şi de foametea mondială.

Ambele justificări sunt doar un pretext pentru Monsanto, Nestle şi alte companii de a înfrânge rezistenţa împotriva alimentelor manipulate genetic. O rezistenţă care este îndreptăţită:

- Până în momentul de faţă nu există cercetări suficiente care să arate cum şi în ce măsură alimentele manipulate genetic afectează sănătatea omului.
- Odată puse în libertate în mediul înconjurător, animalele şi plantele manipulate genetic nu mai pot fi retrase.

În laboratoarele genetice ale lumii nu este creată o lume de basm. Ceea ce se naşte acolo este rezultatul unor minţi bolnave. Natura îşi iese din albie. Plantele şi animalele manipulate genetic ameninţă echilibrul ecologic. Poluarea genetică a mediului înconjurător este ireversibilă.


Greenpeace luptă
- pentru o agricultură ecologică în scopul protejării naturii
- împotriva punerii în libertate a plantelor şi animalelor manipulate genetic
- împotriva alimentelor modificate genetic

Genetically engineered soybean cultivation in Romania: Out of control

11 January 2006

1 Executive Summary On 1st January 2007, Romania expects to join the European Union. However conflicts of approach over genetically engineered (GE), also called genetically modified (GM) crops may overshadow smooth accession. Romania is the “El Dorado” for GM crops and the GE industry in Europe. It is the only country in Europe allowing commercial growing of GE Soya, the Roundup Ready (RR) GE Soya produced by the U.S. companies, Monsanto and Pioneer. The Romanian legislation on GMOs is very weak and far away from implementing all existing EU-standards. The responsible authorities have no means to implement the existing laws, as there are no inspectors to make controls, and not a single certified laboratory to do scientific analysis. Romania has the largest area of land cultivated with GE crops in Europe. 136,380 hectares of Soya was planted in 2005, out of which only 85,000 ha is officially registered to be GE Soya. However, according to farmers’ associations and even the ex-country manager of Monsanto in Romania and Limagrain, in reality the GE Soya is up to 90% of the total surface cultivated with soya varieties - and nobody in Romania has control of the situation. In August 2005, Greenpeace did research on the illegal planting of GE Soya in Romania and the results proved that Romania is being invaded by GMOs without any control. With scientific PCR analysis done at Umweltbundesamt , Vienna, Austria, as accredited laboratory to analyze GMOs according to the international standards it was proven that indeed unrecorded cultivation and contamination with GE soya is happening all over Romania. There are registers with declarations from farmers growing GE Soya at county level and centralized at the Ministry of Agriculture, but nobody is controlling them. The findings of unrecorded fields of GE Soya follow previous Greenpeace discoveries of illegal growing of GE insect resistant potatoes at the Research and Development Centre for Potatoes in Tîrgu-Secuiesc . Illegal experiments with GE plum trees have also been found at the Research Station for Trees in Bistrita ...

What You Need To Know About Factory Farms

The Meatrix film highlighted four ways in which factory farms affect us – animal welfare, antibiotic resistant bacteria, pollution and destroyed communities. Factory Farms, dubbed Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) by the industry, are immense facilities with vast numbers of livestock such as pigs and cows, which are kept in extremely crowed conditions. The facilities store vast amounts of animal waste in stinking, foul “lagoons.” The stench and pollution of local waterways severely impact the quality of life for their neighbors. This style of farming is being exported to countries around the world at a rapid rate. Find out information on the wide range of factors that contribute to the devastating impacts of industrial agriculture.

A growing number of European citizens are deeply concerned about agriculture and the quality of food. Mad cow and foot and mouth diseases have raised consumer concerns about how far the industry will go to reduce food production costs. People are already aware of the environmental damages resulting from industrialised agriculture. The Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) is currently supporting this mode of industrial agriculture.

Animal Welfare

Animals on factory farms are looked at as units of production, not as living beings. They are often overcrowded indoors in unsanitary conditions. Ammonia and other gases from the manure that collects in the enclosed buildings where the animals live irritate animals' lungs, to the point where over 80% of US pigs have pneumonia upon slaughter.

Antibiotics

Because of the crowded and unsanitary conditions on factory farms, animals are often fed low doses of antibiotics. Antibiotics are also used to make the animals grow faster. This is contributing to the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in humans. Resistant bacteria infections increase healthcare costs by an estimated $4 billion per year in the United
States. In addition, every year approximately 25 million pounds of antibiotics and related drugs are administered to animals for non-therapeutic purposes (i.e. boosting growth rates and preventing disease). This is more than 8 times the amount used to treat disease in humans.

Buy Local

In the United States, the average meal travels over 1,500 miles to reach your dinner plate. By eating food produced locally, you are helping yourself, the environment and your community in many ways. 91 cents of each U.S. dollar spent at traditional food markets goes to suppliers, processors, middlemen, and marketers; only 9 cents of each U.S. dollar actually goes to the farmer.

Communities and Workers

Sustainable farms provide a welcome alternative to the problems associated with factory farming. Unlike corporate factory farm owners who have very little interest in the condition of local communities, sustainable farmers have a strong connection to their communities and a demonstrated commitment to preserving the surrounding land. In addition, workers on sustainable farms are treated fairly and earn a respectable wage. Did you know that the construction of a CAFO has been shown to consistently cause property values to decrease by 10 to 20 percent?

Economics

Supporters of industrial agriculture claim that large-scale factory farming is the most efficient way to produce huge quantities of inexpensive food and that without industrial agriculture, food prices would be excessively high. But the price of industrial food does not take into account the true costs of production. A substantial portion of agricultural economics literature suggests that smaller, family farm operations are actually more productive.

Environment

Agriculture has an enormous impact on the environment, but whether the impact is good or bad depends on the type of agriculture used. Sustainable agriculture puts back what it takes from the environment, while factory farming pollutes our air, water and soil. According to a study conducted by the Department of Economics at the University of Essex , industrial farms cause $34.7 billion worth of environmental damage in the U.S. each year.

Factory Farming

Corporate HogsMeat production in the United States has changed dramatically over the past 20 years. Small family farms are being replaced by huge livestock facilities, where animals suffer horribly, workers are mistreated, the environment is being destroyed, and where rural communities are dying. Find out what factory farms are. This style of farming is being exported to other countries at an alarming rate.

Food Irradiation

Large food corporations want to raise meat in countries with cheap labor and few environmental laws. In order to do that, they need irradiation. This increases the shelf life of the food so it can travel longer distances and stay on store shelves longer. Irradiation has not been properly tested for safety, depletes vitamin content, increases the amount of toxic waste in the world, and reportedly doesn't taste good.

Fossil Fuel and Energy Use

The U.S. burns an enormous amount of fossil fuel in order to maintain its incredible rate of energy consumption. This excessive rate of fossil fuel consumption causes significant damage to the environment. Did you know that 17% of all fossil fuel used in the U.S. is consumed by the food production system?

Genetic Engineering

Genetic Engineering (GE) is the process of transferring genes from one plant or animal to another. The technology has not been properly tested, so no one knows if GE food is safe to eat. 70% of processed foods in American supermarkets now contain genetically modified ingredients.9 Currently, crops are genetically engineered; animals are next. The U.S. is pushing Europe to accept this technology, even though the majority of Europeans oppose it.

Health

Most people agree that sustainable, pasture-raised and organic foods are healthier and taste better than industrial food – scientific research is even starting to prove the health benefits. Unsustainable agriculture and factory farms also affect our health by increasing the amount of food borne pathogens, contributing to antibiotic resistant bacteria, and through incubating infectious diseases that can be easily transmitted.

Hormones

Every year, approximately 36 million cattle are raised to provide beef for US consumers.10 Two-thirds of these cattle (about 24 million cows) are given hormones to help make them grow faster.11 Six hormones are implanted in beef cattle for no other reason than to make the cows grow faster so they can be sold sooner. The US government claims the hormones are safe, but the European Union has banned hormones in beef because their scientists have found a link between the hormones and cancer.

Loss of Family Farms

BarnFamily farmers are being forced out of business at an alarming rate. According to Farm Aid, 330 farmers leave their land every week. The dramatic expansion of industrial agriculture has made it increasingly difficult for small family farmers in the U.S. and due to the new European Common Agriculture Policy, a family farm disappears every three minutes in Europe.

Pesticides

According to the EPA, over 1 billion tons of pesticides are used in the U.S. every year.13 Pesticides are sprayed on produce sold to consumers, as well as on crops fed to farm animals. Residues are stored in the animals' fat and tissue, and enter our bodies when we eat the meat. Pesticides have been linked to many medical problems.
rBGH (recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone)

rBGH, also known as BGH and BST, is a genetically engineered hormone injected into dairy cows for no other reason than to make them produce more milk. The hormone has not been properly tested for human safety and makes the animals more prone to illness and disease. In 2003, approximately 33% of the 9 million U.S. dairy cows were in herds treated with rBGH.14 So far, this hormone is banned in Europe.
Slaughterhouses and Processing

CAFOsThe meatpacking industry is dominated by a handful of corporations which handle massive quantities of meat at huge processing facilities. As a result of inadequate food safety standards and lax inspection practices, these corporations are able to operate unsanitary facilities which produce meat contaminated with the pathogens that cause foodborne illness.

More information

Eliminate the threat of genetic engineering

Over 70 per cent of products on supermarket shelves in Canada are made with genetically engineered (GE) ingredients. These experimental ingredients could cause irreversible biological pollution and pose unknown risks to human health. Greenpeace is working to stop the release of genetically engineered organisms into the environment and support sustainable, organic agriculture ...
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BAN TERMINATOR SEEDS – JOIN THE GLOBAL CAMPAIGN

Oct. 18, 2005

Please circulate widely and get involved. (posted October 2005)

Ban Terminator – (English, Español, en français)

Terminator Technology – “Suicide seeds” are back! Your action is needed.

Unfortunately Terminator is not yesterday’s news. Corporations and governments are again pushing hard to commercialize Terminator technology – plants that are genetically modified to render sterile seeds at harvest. The Canadian government tried to overturn the international (United Nations) de facto moratorium on Terminator in February 2005. To meet this new crisis and re-build global opposition, we ask you to join the new Ban Terminator Campaign and take action with us.

Mobilization is needed now to pressure governments to ban Terminator nationally and internationally. There are two important United Nations meetings coming up where debates on Terminator are planned. We will work to establish a ban on Terminator at the major meetings of the UN
Convention on Biological Diversity: January 23-27 in Spain and March 20-31 in Brazil.

Your action is needed NOW to make this happen.

We ask individuals, communities and groups across the world to take action locally, nationally, and internationally as part of the new global strategy.

Many of you are working to secure Farmers’ Rights, food sovereignty and the self-determination of your peoples and communities. You have successfully opposed Terminator in the past. Please add Terminator to your campaign work now - and please add your work and voices to the Ban
Terminator Campaign.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

- Groups and communities please “Endorse the Campaign” so we can show governments how strong the global opposition is http://www.banterminator.org/take_action/sign_on_to_ban_terminator
- Subscribe to receive Action Alerts and breaking news so that you can take immediate action when it is needed the most http://www.banterminator.org/take_action/subscribe
- Join with others in your area to pressure your government to ban Terminator nationally and at the United Nations. We can help provide materials and contacts.
- Organize events and actions - Become a Ban Terminator contact and
organizer.
- Share information on Terminator in your community so that we can work together
- Pass a resolution in your group or community against Terminator to communicate your protest and reasons clearly for all to see
- Visit http://www.banterminator.org for action ideas, information and campaign materials

Your input is important to us – join the strategy – participate in the campaign.

COMING SOON! to www.banterminator.org : “Select Your Country” Action and Frequently Asked Questions

HOW YOU CAN CONTACT US:

Visit http://www.banterminator.org contact@banterminator.org Full contact details are below.

CAMPAIGN DETAILS:

Purpose: The Ban Terminator Campaign seeks to promote government bans on Terminator technology at the national and international levels, and supports the efforts of civil society, farmers, Indigenous peoples and social movements to campaign against it.

Strategy: The international de facto moratorium on Terminator technology at the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is under attack. Two upcoming meetings of the CBD where Terminator is on the agenda – the Working Group on Article 8 (j) in
Granada, Spain January 23-27 and the 8th Conference of the Parties
(COP8) to the CBD in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil March 20-31 2006 – offer important opportunities to strengthen the moratorium. The build-up to these meetings is also an important opportunity to encourage governments to establish national prohibitions on Terminator technology – just as Brazil and India have done. Corporations will not stop their efforts to commercialize Terminator until governments prohibit the technology.

Origins: The Ban Terminator Campaign was initiated in response to recent efforts by governments and corporations to push for Terminator field trials and commercialization. Despite widespread opposition, in February 2005, the Canadian government attempted to overturn the CBD’s international de facto moratorium on Terminator technology. The Ban Terminator Campaign was formed in response, following discussions initiated by Canadian-based civil society organizations (ETC group,
Inter Pares, National Farmers Union, and USC Canada).

History: In 1998, ETC group (then RAFI) discovered Terminator patents. In 1999, in response to the avalanche of public opposition, two of the world’s largest seed and agrochemical corporations, Monsanto and AstraZeneca (now Syngenta), publicly vowed not to commercialize Terminator seeds. In 2000, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity adopted a de facto moratorium on Terminator seeds. As a result, many people believed that the crisis had passed, and the issue faded from public view. Unfortunately, Terminator is still being developed and is now being heavily promoted.

Structure:

The Ban Terminator Campaign’s steering committee:

AS-PTA - Assessoria e Serviços a Projectos em Agricultura Alternativa
www.aspta.org.br ETC Group - Action group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration www.etcgroup.org GRAIN www.grain.org Indigenous Peoples Council on Biocolonialism www.ipcb.org ITDG - Intermediate Technology Development Group www.itdg.org Pesticide Action Network – Asia and the Pacific www.panap.net Third World Network www.twnside.org.sg www.biosafety-info.net Via Campesina www.viacampesina.org

Contact Us:

Ban Terminator Campaign
contact@banterminator.org
www.banterminator.org
431 Gilmour Street, Second Floor Ottawa, Ontario Canada K2P 0R5 Phone: 1 613 241 2267 Fax: 1 613 241 2506

Worm

BEIJING Aug 16 -- A worm targeting newly announced flaws in
Microsoft's Windows operating system is circulating on the Internet, an
anti-virus software maker has said.

Trend Micro Inc. said the Zotob virus exploits security holes in
Windows 95, 98, ME, NE, 2000 and XP platforms and can give hackers
remote access to affected systems, according to Reuters.

The worm drops a copy of itself into the Windows system folder as
BOTZOR.EXE and modifies the system's host file in the infected machine
to prevent the user from getting online help from anti-virus Web sites,
Trend Micro said.

The virus can also connect to a specific Internet relay chat server
and give attackers remote control over affected systems, which can be
used to infect other unpatched computers in a network.

While early reports suggested Zotob was spreading rapidly, its
impact has actually been limited because it targets Windows 2000, an
older version of the software, Microsoft said. It poses no threat to
computers running the newer Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, the
company added.

Microsoft warned of three "critical" security flaws in its software
last week, including one that could allow attackers to comandeer a
computer.

Computer users should update their anti-virus pattern files and
apply the latest Microsoft patches to fix the security flaws, Trend
Micro said. Enditem