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[SANET-MG] Hawaii U sells GM contaminated papya seeds
Needless to say USDA owns the patent on the GM papaya!
By Melanie Bondera & Mark Query
Hawaii SEED
2006
www.gmofreehawaii.org
Hawaii Papaya: GM contaminated
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 1998, the first GMO1 Papaya was commercially released into Hawaii’s
growing environment. Dr. Dennis Gonsalves and Dr. Richard Manshardt
created this papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) resistant GMO fruit
vtechnology has come with too many strings attached and Hawaii has lost
almost half of its papaya farmers.
Another unintended problem is GMO contamination. In 2003, GMO Free
Hawaii became very concerned with the gene flow of the GMO Papaya.
First, we used the GUS gene test to see how much contamination was on
our farms and in our community. After consistently finding 30-50% of the
seeds and leaves we tested having some kind of air or seed
contamination, we wanted to know more. We put out calls for independent,
peer-reviewed academic studies to examine the levels of this GMO Papaya
contamination, to no avail. In 2004, GMO Free Hawaii designed a study to
look at the extent of GMO contamination around the state.
The methodology of this Pilot Survey included three composite samples of
approximately 10,000 seeds from around the islands (Hawaii, Oahu, Kauai)
being collected from non-GMO growing locations such as organic and
conventional farms, backyard gardens and feral roadsides. Two composite
samples each of seeds and leaves from organic farms were collected on
Hawaii and Kauai. Three samples of University of Hawaii non-GMO seed
varieties were purchased directly. Seeds and leaves were sent to an
independent laboratory, Genetic ID, for PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
industry standard testing.The results indicate massive GMO contamination
of papaya seeds on Hawaii Island, of the order of 50%, substantial GMO
contamination on Oahu (<5%) and thankfully, only traces of contamination
on Kauai (0.0%). Both organic farms tested had no GMO trees
unintentionally planted, but sadly, were discovered to have air
contamination of the seeds in their fruits (<5% on Hawaii Island and
0.01% on Kauai). Most shocking was the GMO contamination of the
University of Hawaii’s non-GMO papaya seed supply (Waimanolo Solo
variety) at greater than 0.01% but less than 0.1%.
In 2006, we repeated this last test and found the Waimanalo Solo to
still be GMO contaminated at the same percentage. As the University of
Hawaii claims not to be growing this seed near GMO Papaya trees, they
must have untested GMO trees in their non-GMO orchards or not be bagging
the flowers properly to keep out unwanted GMO pollen.
The two main routes of GMO contamination appear to be air and seed
contamination. Air contamination refers to GMO contamination of the
seeds by GMO pollen flow traveling by wind, insect, animal or human.
Flesh of the fruit may be non-GMO while any number of seeds inside may
be GMO. Seed contamination refers to unintended GMO contamination of the
traditional seed supply leading to unintended GMO trees, which have GMO
leaves, fruit flesh, and at least three quarters GMO seeds. Most
concerning has been the loss of lucrative export and organic markets
caused by the GMO Papaya contamination leading to expensive testing and
roguing to non-GMO Papaya growers.
The University of Hawaii and Pacific Research Basin have responded
inadequately to the news of our test results. Their insufficient
attempts at follow-up studies have included testing too few UH seeds to
provide statistically significant results, a pollen study by an
undergraduate on the island with the least contamination and a promise
of a study by Carol Gonsalves (Dr. Gonsalves’ wife) that has not
materialized. Promises of GUS testing for papayas being available to
farmers and gardeners through the Cooperative Extension service have not
materialized either. Finally, no attempts at GMO Papaya clean-up by the
responsible institutions have been made, to date.
Finally, this pilot study shows more GMO Papaya contamination than
anyone expected. Our recommendations include:
Governments around the globe should not introduce the GMO Papaya into
any new growing regions. Even as a field trial, GMO Papaya cannot be
contained.
Considering the adverse consequences of the GMO Papaya, the Hawaii
Department of Agriculture should not commercially release any more GMO
crops in Hawaii.
The University of Hawaii should clean up the GMO contamination in their
non-GMO papaya seeds before selling any more.
GMO Papaya testing should be offered to Hawaii Island farmers and
gardeners either free of charge or at a nominal cost by the University
of Hawaii and PBARC/USDA (Pacific Basin Agriculture Research
Center/United States Department of Agriculture), so they can rogue out
GMO Papaya contamination.
Education about using traditional and alternative methods of Papaya
ringspot virus management including introducing PRSV tolerant varieties
should be actively offered to farmers by the University of Hawaii and
PBARC/USDA .
An independent peer-reviewed study examining the full extent of the GMO
Papaya contamination in Hawaii should be authorized by the Hawaii
Department of Agriculture.
An independent peer- reviewed study examining the possible health
effects on humans of the GMO Papaya consumption should be authorized by
the Hawaii Department of Agriculture
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