Re: GM field trials, contamination events more than you'd think!

[Guest guest]

The official site says their Roundup Ready alfalfa is months from being

available for sale, pending a period to review public comments.

http://www.roundupreadyalfalfa.com/

The EPA has already determined it does not need to be regulated by them.

http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-IMPACT/2005/June/Day-27/i3323.htm - from 2005

" Determination

Based on its analysis of the data submitted by Monsanto/FGI, a

review of other scientific data, field tests of the subject alfalfa,

and comments submitted by the public, APHIS has determined that alfalfa

events J101 and J163: (1) Exhibit no plant pathogenic properties; (2)

are no more likely to become weedy than the nontransgenic parental line

or other cultivated alfalfa; (3) are unlikely to increase the weediness

potential of any other cultivated or wild species with which it can

interbreed; (4) will not cause damage to raw or processed agricultural

commodities; (5) will not harm threatened or endangered species or

organisms that are beneficial to agriculture; and (6) should not reduce

[[Page 36919]]

the ability to control pests and weeds in alfalfa or other crops.

Therefore, APHIS has concluded that the subject alfalfa and any progeny

derived from hybrid crosses with other non-transformed alfalfa

varieties will be as safe to grow as alfalfa varieties in traditional

breeding programs that are not subject to regulation under 7 CFR part 340. "

I'm not sure why it is being held up, it looks like APHIS has already made their

decision.

I did find a site that says the locations by county where Roundup Ready Alfalfa

is being grown. If you hit Ctrl + F you can search for Pennsylvania. Chester,

Bucks and Berks counties are listed.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/alfalfa_locations_list.shtml

Also be aware that Germany is testing honey for GM pollen - and finding it,

which goes against #4 above.

In regards to #5 - the alfalfa may not cause problems to organisms that are

beneficial to agriculture, but what about that amount of round-up being sprayed?

http://current.com/news/89727180_extensive-gm-contamination-of-honey.htm

--

Blessings,

Renate Haeckler

>

> I don't know if this is OT or not...

>

> I didn't realize the extent of the GM problem until I came across this website

a few weeks ago: it shows the Genetically Modified Organisms that companies are

asking for permits to plant in field trials. It's not perfect - asking too

complicated a search seems to cause problems but you can certainly look at

permits for field trials issued by state - and there are a lot!

http://www.isb.vt.edu/cfdocs/fieldtests1.cfm

>

> Notice that there are some for which permits have been issued that have 12 or

more traits altered, in just one plant!

>

> And here's one that shows publicly documented contamination events of

Genetically Modified Organisms - where they escape and spread their DNA outside

of the planned area or illegal plantings that have been discovered:

http://www.gmcontaminationregister.org/

>

> They are forced to leave out a lot that are reported to them because they only

report ones that are in the public record.

>

[Guest guest]

I don't trust a word Monsanto says. The NY Times article last week (Thurs.)

was one big apology for Monsanto, IMHO. Here's the article, in case

anyone's interested, and here's a response I wrote to it. The photo really

says it all.

Helayne Waldman

NY Times article

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/science/20tier.html

My response:

http://www.examiner.com/x-40543-SF-Senior-Health-Examiner~y2010m4d23-On-Fran

kenfoods-and-Sick-Cows

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of haecklers

Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 6:55 AM

Subject: Re: GM field trials, contamination events more than you'd

think!

The official site says their Roundup Ready alfalfa is months from being

available for sale, pending a period to review public comments.

http://www.roundupreadyalfalfa.com/

The EPA has already determined it does not need to be regulated by them.

http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-IMPACT/2005/June/Day-27/i3323.htm - from

2005

" Determination

Based on its analysis of the data submitted by Monsanto/FGI, a

review of other scientific data, field tests of the subject alfalfa,

and comments submitted by the public, APHIS has determined that alfalfa

events J101 and J163: (1) Exhibit no plant pathogenic properties; (2)

are no more likely to become weedy than the nontransgenic parental line

or other cultivated alfalfa; (3) are unlikely to increase the weediness

potential of any other cultivated or wild species with which it can

interbreed; (4) will not cause damage to raw or processed agricultural

commodities; (5) will not harm threatened or endangered species or

organisms that are beneficial to agriculture; and (6) should not reduce

[[Page 36919]]

the ability to control pests and weeds in alfalfa or other crops.

Therefore, APHIS has concluded that the subject alfalfa and any progeny

derived from hybrid crosses with other non-transformed alfalfa

varieties will be as safe to grow as alfalfa varieties in traditional

breeding programs that are not subject to regulation under 7 CFR part 340. "

I'm not sure why it is being held up, it looks like APHIS has already made

their decision.

I did find a site that says the locations by county where Roundup Ready

Alfalfa is being grown. If you hit Ctrl + F you can search for Pennsylvania.

Chester, Bucks and Berks counties are listed.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/alfalfa_locations_list.shtml

Also be aware that Germany is testing honey for GM pollen - and finding it,

which goes against #4 above.

In regards to #5 - the alfalfa may not cause problems to organisms that are

beneficial to agriculture, but what about that amount of round-up being

sprayed?

http://current.com/news/89727180_extensive-gm-contamination-of-honey.htm

--

Blessings,

Renate Haeckler

--- In

<mailto: %40> , " haecklers " <haecklers@...>

wrote:

>

> I don't know if this is OT or not...

>

> I didn't realize the extent of the GM problem until I came across this

website a few weeks ago: it shows the Genetically Modified Organisms that

companies are asking for permits to plant in field trials. It's not perfect

- asking too complicated a search seems to cause problems but you can

certainly look at permits for field trials issued by state - and there are a

lot! http://www.isb.vt.edu/cfdocs/fieldtests1.cfm

>

> Notice that there are some for which permits have been issued that have 12

or more traits altered, in just one plant!

>

> And here's one that shows publicly documented contamination events of

Genetically Modified Organisms - where they escape and spread their DNA

outside of the planned area or illegal plantings that have been discovered:

http://www.gmcontaminationregister.org/

>

> They are forced to leave out a lot that are reported to them because they

only report ones that are in the public record.

>

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