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Re: Biotechnology & Pesticides

    Oddly enough the very people insisting that the genetically altered
foods are safe are the same folks who don't want the us the people who eat
this food to know which foods are laced with experimental ingredients.. I
have not said much about all this gene mixing because Thanks to the NATIONAL
ORGANIC STANDARDS BOARD --- FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS - Sept 1996 Organic
farmers are not allowed to use
Genetic Engineered stuff.  This is one way for folks that do not want to
drink milk from cows that  are injected with genetic engineered BGH or
genetically engineered crops (Roundup Ready soybeans and Novartis BT corn)
that are now in the market or any of the genetically modified organisms
pending,and thus we can avoid it.  If Mankind  can do it and make it I know
man will  use it ,look at the H-bomb.  So the only thing we can hope for
,Us that do not want to partake in the giant Chemical Companies Newest
Experiment and be the white mice can  always turn to organic farmers but
there may be some bad news . `As you read this genetically-altered soybeans
and corn are quietly making their way into hundreds of processed foods.  I
for one do try to live by Gods laws and I use Leviticus 11 as my diet.
Every where the Holy Bible says don't ,I try my best not too.  I am sure
other religious folks also don't eat hair,pig,etc. Some are vegetarians yet
for what ever reason one chooses not to eat gene alter food there should be
a way we can tell.  We Must Defend the Organic Label. Please
To protect the only current source food in the US free of Genetically
Engineered foodstuff needs protection.  The NOSB's suggestions concerning
the exclusion of GMOs from organic must remain in their pure form, free of
dilution by the USDA so we the people have a choice.  The USDA should be
advocates of the family farmer and the American consumers not the big
biotechnology companies.  Many state and private organic certifiers already
prohibit the use of genetically-manipulated organisms meaning that "organic
"is defined as food that is not only free of toxic pesticides,but also free
of genetic engineering.  But the USDA is the worlds biggest supporter
chemical-intensive farming and now of biotechnology in agriculture.  Given
the USDAs  support for genetic engineering in the past it is entirely
likely that the USDA will now dilute the integrity of organic standards.
Families worried about health and the environment look to the organic
farmer as a safe alternative and are supporting ecological farming.   

LEVITICUS 11 in the King James Bible  is the reason I don't like them
mixing up the genes of all the animals and plants and insects and I
personally feel they are changing life on earth as we know it and putting
their self above God and Gods moral law.  



At 09:13 PM 3/23/97 EST, Jeff Gold & Roslyn Levin-Gold wrote:
>>The sustainable approach advocated by many in this list seems to me a 
>>sensible context for discussing the role of biotech. I hate to see us take 
>>a Dark Ages type approach and reject all the modern science and potential 
>>pesticide reductions possible from biotech because of a few bad uses or 
>>failures. Rather, I think we should harness the best of biotech in the 
>>service of sustainable agriculture along with pointing out its misuses and 
>>curbing unwise uses. In other words, a proactive approach, not just 
>>reactive.
>>
>>Joel Grossman
>>independent writer and former pest control adviser
>>3216125@mcimail.com
>
>
>Biotech is a "tool" that can be used in any agricultural system, even a
>sustainable system.  Every tool embodies various qualities (both positive
>and negative, relative to the context in which it is being used) that
>reflect the nature of the tool itself.  To me, the negative results arising
>from the use of biotech have more to do with the tool-user than the tool.
>Biotech is the latest "innovation" of a science/corporate/government
>structure that has a history of self-interest and a blatant disregard for
>the long-term impact of short-term strategies, driven by the need for funds
>to support research institutes and/or produce profits.
>
>As an organic farmer, I can see the advantages of biotech in certain
>situations, but it would be the last tool in my toolbox that I would use, as
>it is so far removed from the natural world where we all must live.  Would I
>want someone who can't even grow a tomato organically to give me a product
>which is supposed to produce a better and healthier plant?  I don't think so.
>
>Jeff Gold    
>
>
>