By Nathan B. Batalion
Published by Americans for Safe Food. Oneonta, N.Y.
Page 6 of 6 (Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5)
Atomic Weapons vs. Gene Mutated Foods
The image of modern progress brought about solely by perfected mechanisms or technology was punctured in the 1940s with the explosion of atomic weapons, which brought humanity to the brink of global annihilation. Einstein's formulas created the bomb. His formulas hinged on the very same ideas of the philosopher René Descartes for their foundation.
Descartes developed the underlying geometry that space may be universally or infinitely separated ("Cartesian coordinates") into distinct points. If we perfectly visualize this, we run the risk of bringing that exact image to life. Einstein's famous formula (E = mc2), for example, allows us to explode space. Only in hindsight and seeing this result, Einstein expressed the wish of never having taken on the career of a physicist.
Genetic engineering, or the splicing of genes, may be viewed as a still more perilous outcome of a Cartesian-like approach to nature. We can prevent nuclear disaster or hopefully keep nuclear weapons bottled up. But genetic engineering applies a similar philosophy and creates products intentionally released -- with potential chain reactions that may not be stoppable.
Actions You Can Take
"The new genetic science raises more troubling issues than any other technological revolution in history. In reprogramming the genetic code of life, do we risk a fatal interruption of millions of years of evolutionary development? Might not the artificial creation of life spell the end of the natural world? ... Will the creation, mass production, and wholesale release of thousands of genetically engineered life forms ... cause irreversible damage to the biosphere, making genetic pollution an even greater threat to the planet than nuclear or petrochemical pollution?"
Jeremy Rifkin: The Biotech Century
Contact elected officials
As of the present writing, only about 50 Congressmen (out of over 400) have endorsed the GM labeling bill currently before Congress. A similar piece of legislation is being introduced into the US Senate. It is vitally important that 100,000 or more letters be sent to Congress urging them to support these bills.
It is best to write a personal letter, this has the most impact. Form letters are also available. Many health food stores carry them, or they can be downloaded at the Web site www.thecampaign.org. Make copies for yourself and five to ten friends and family members. Several letters may also be collected and sent in a single envelope.
E-mails can also be sent but do not have as much impact or influence as postal letters. Even with form letters, adding a personal note explaining you views on the subject doubles the weight placed on the letter by legislators. At The Campaign's Web site, additional form letters are also available to the president, vice president, political candidates, Department of Agriculture, EPA, and FDA, plus media contacts and major food companies. The media contact service on the Web allows you to instantly reach hundreds of newspapers, magazines, radio stations and the like, in each of the 50 states, to tell them to cover this issue.
Sign petition
A petition is also attached and further copies are available through the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) at www.purefood.org and at most local health food stores. The OCA petition calls for 30 percent of US produce to be organic by the year 2010. At the present rate of growth, 10 percent of European produce will be organic by 2005. Australia has already passed 10 percent and Sweden and Switzerland are not far behind.
Vote
Support political candidates that favor labeling and/or a moratorium on GM foods. At present two national political parties have already included the issue of labeling bioengineered foods in their platform -- the Greens and the Natural Law Party. For more information visit www.greens.org/ny/ .
Join and volunteer to help activist organizations
There are many activist organizations working on the GM issue. A few prominent ones are The Campaign, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, Bioengineering Action Network, RAGE, Organic Consumers Association -- and locally NOFA, the Greens, and Americans for Safe Food. Web sites or contact information are listed in the resource section.
Mobilize parents, students, and teachers
Contact school officials asking them to follow the example of the Berkeley, California district by eliminating GM products or offering organic food in cafeterias.
Communicate with Producers and Distributors
Call and send a letter to the largest companies that distribute GM foods. Ask them to change their policies (see a sample list below) A national consumer action plan is being coordinated by the People's Earth Network (see www.peoplesearth.com). For more information send them an email on their site - to be part of their listserve to contact companies.
You can also reach the Network by mail at 35 Asticou Road, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 or call 617-522-9605. As a result, and as of this writing, 17 companies have taken positive steps. This includes Hain's Food Group, the largest health food conglomerate along with Wild Oats and Whole Foods, the largest health-oriented supermarkets in the U.S.
A sample letter to a corporation, which should be restated in your own words, might be:
Dear President,
I am writing to express my very serious concern about genetically engineered ingredients in your products. Research has shown many negative health and environmental effects such as ... ... what effects me and my family. Other companies have begun to take steps to eliminate these ingredients and I am urging you and XXXX Corporation to do the same.
Contact Store Owners
Join (or start) a local network of people, who individually or together contact nearby supermarket and food storeowners about the seriousness of this issue. Ask the owners to survey their suppliers for GM-free products, as well as their own private-label products - and to make a list of all GM free products available to their customers.
List of Largest US Food Distributors:
- Safeway 800-723-3929
- Frito-Lay 800-352-4477
- Kellogg's 800-962-1413
- Nestle's 800-452-1971
- Heinz Foods 888- 472-8437
- Healthy Choice 800-323-9980
- Kraft 800-543-5335
- Hershey's 800-468-1714
- Coca Cola 800-438-2653
- Nabisco 800-862-2638
- Quaker Oats 800-367-6287
- Starbucks 800-782-7282
- McDonald's 630-623-3000
- General Mills 800-328-1144
- Proctor & Gamble 800-595-1407
Personal Action
Knowledge, understanding, commitment and resolve precede action. Attached are brief lists of resources -- books, videos, tapes, conferences and Internet resources for more information on the issue of genetically engineered foods.
Inform Others
Share information, a video, book or tape about GM foods with friends and family members. Write a letter to your newspaper. Inform others through your personal letter.
Organic Lifestyles
When we buy organic products we not only enhance our own personal health, but support businesses and farms committed to a clean environment plus not destroying the living web of nature. For more information about local organic products, CSA's (community supported agriculture), organic gardening, discounted food coops, and related resources, contact NOFA - Northeast Organic Farmer's Association at 315-365-2299.
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