Guest guest Posted December 15, 2001 Report Share Posted December 15, 2001 I personally think ALL GMO's should be labeled ... we have the RIGHT to choose to NOT be guiney pigs as far as our food chain is concerned ;( We ARE what we eat and every single day they prove that more and more! Chris (list mom) http://www.alittleolfactory.com Butch Owen wrote: > > A Dutch farmer left two piles of maize in a barn infested with mice, one > pile GM, the other non GM. The GM pile was untouched, while the non GM > pile was completely eaten up. Incredible! > > Young undergraduate Hinze Hogendoorn devised his own laboratory tests > and confirmed the finding, and more. Dr. Mae-Wan Ho reports from her > recent visit to Hilversum near Amsterdam, where he lives with his mum. > Mum Guusje is very proud of her son, though she waited until he took the > train back to University College, Utrecht, to tell me about it. > > A young activists group (Jongeren Milieu Aktief) presented the report > Hinze has written to the Dutch parliament on 11 December, and is > featuring it on their new website (www.talk2000.nl). > > Hinze couldn't find a single scientific report on animals being tested > for preference of GM versus non GM food on the web when he began. On > extending his search to effects of GM foods on animals, he came across > reports from companies developing GM foods, all declaring there were no > adverse impacts. But he also came across independent researchers who > have reported harmful effects, including Dr. Arpad Pusztai, who found GM > potatoes damaged the kidney, thymus, spleen and gut of young rats. Hinze > was > disturbed, not just by the scientific findings, but by the fact that > scientists opposing the big companies are so easily discredited. > > " Personally, I'm afraid these companies have too much interest invested > in their products for their research to be creditable. " That was another > motivation for him to do his own experiments. > > The 17 year-old was stumped at first, because he would have needed to go > through a lot of bureaucracy to experiment on animals. However, he > managed to rescue 30 female six-week old mice bred to feed snakes from a > herpetology centre. The next problem was to find the appropriate food. > He went to a website on the care of mice. Mice eat about 15% of their > body weight every day, and they need a diverse diet. So he decided to > give them a staple food along with the two foods that were to be > compared, so they could really show their preference without being > starved. For the staple, he used Rodent mix from the pet store, as well > as some oatmeal and cereals guaranteed by their producers (Kellogg's and > Quaker's) to be 'GM-free' in the Netherlands. For GM foods, he used > maize and soya, and the corresponding organically grown versions as non > GM. Water was supplied for the mice to drink as they pleased. And he > kept track of all the food consumed each day. > > Large cages were used so the mice had plenty of room to move around. At > the beginning, all the mice were weighed before they were put into the > cage with four bowls containing GM and non GM maize meal, and GM and non > GM soya meal respectively. The mice had not eaten for some time, but > amazingly, they already showed very definite food preferences. The > didn't like soya meal at all, GM or non GM, and only one mouse was found > feeding on non GM soya meal for one minute in the 10 minutes they were > observed. In the same period, 4 to 8 mice could be found in the bowl > with non GM maize, compared to 1 to 3 in the bowl with GM maize. > > For the next week, Hinze continued to give the mice GM and non GM maize > or soya chunks (which they did eat) in addition to their staple food, > and measured the amount of each consumed daily over the next week. In > all nine successive observations, more non GM was eaten than GM for > maize or soya. In sum, the mice consumed 61% non GM and 39% GM food when > given free choice. The results were highly significant, even though > Hinze did not perform the statistical test. > > For the next experiment, Hinze tested for the effects of GM food. By > this time, however, one mouse had died for unknown reasons. So he > removed another mouse from the experiment, assigned 14 to the group fed > GM food and 14 to the group fed non GM food after weighing them. Over > the next 10 days, he kept track of the amount of food that the two > groups consumed each day, and weighed the mice, halfway through and at > the end of the experiments. > > The group fed GM ate more, probably because they were slightly heavier > on average to begin with, but they gained less weight. By the end, they > actually lost weight. In contrast, the group fed non GM ate less and > gained more weight, continuing to gain weight until the end of the > experiment. The results were statistically significant. > > That was not the only difference observed. There were marked behavioural > differences, though Hinze admitted, these were " subjective " and not > quantitative. The mice fed GM food " seemed less active while in their > cages " . The differences in activity between the two cages grew as the > experiment progressed, the mice in the non-GM cage were in the exercise > wheel more often than those in the GM cage. Hinze also noticed that each > time he came into the room, there tended to be more mice in the non GM > cage walking or climbing around than in the GM cage. > > The most striking difference was when the mice were weighed at the end > of the experiment. The mice fed GM food were " more distressed " than the > other mice. " Many were running round and round the basket, scrabbling > desperately in the sawdust, and even frantically jumping up the sides, > something I'd never seen before. " They were clearly more nervous than > the mice from the other cage. " For me this was the most disconcerting > evidence that GM food is not quite normal. " > > Another " interesting result " is that one of the mice in the GM cage was > found dead at the end of the experiment. He concluded, " At the end of > everything, I must admit that the experiment has done nothing to soothe > my qualms concerning genetically enhanced food. " His results " do seem to > agree with Pusztai's " . > > Hinze is tall and athletic, and definitely doesn't like GM food. He is > pleased to have found all that out for himself, and suggests everyone > should do the same. > > He has put the scientists to shame, especially those who have condemned > Pusztai's work, but have done nothing since to add to our knowledge. > > The Institute of Science in Society > www.i-sis.org > PO Box 32097, > London NW1 OXR > Tel: 44-20-8731-7714 > 44-20-7383-3376 > 44-20-7272-5636 > > > ISIS X'mas Features and Consultation > This Christmas mail-out is to provide some holiday cheer to recharge you > for the year ahead, and also to consult our rs concerning > possible changes to our strategy. > > Our star feature is, " Mice prefer non GM " , an ISIS exclusive (pasted in > this e-mail). A 17 year old College student in The Netherlands has put > our scientists to shame by performing a couple of key experiments on GM > food that they have conspicuously omitted to do. He shows how mice do > prefer non GM food when given the choice, and that when given no choice > but to eat GM food, they grow more slowly, even lose weight and show > strong signs of being distressed. That's not the only gauntlet we are > laying down for the biotech proponents. " GM crops failed " explodes every > single myth on the 'benefits' of GM crops and shows them up to be a > total flop. They yield less, require more herbicides and pesticides, and > earn less for the farmers. Bt-corn alone is estimated to have lost > farmers $92 million. Even the FAO is recommending the Third World to go > organic. > > The scandalous lack of support for research into organic, sustainable > agriculture is all of a piece with the neglect towards research into > holistic health. As the dominant reductionist medical model is falling > apart and failing to deliver health, scientists are rediscovering > indigenous herbal medicines around the world which have the potential to > revitalise indigenous health systems, protect biodiversity, and provide > safe, effective and affordable healthcare for all. We see this as a > positive trend, but are aware that it could encourage biopiracy and > plagiarism of indigenous knowledge, and has the potential to undermine > the health system of the community concerned. > > So, in advance of circulating our report, " Honey beats superbugs " > featuring the antimicrobial properties of honey from the Manuka Tree, we > sent a draft via our New Zealand contacts to the Maori community. By > coincidence, the Maori people were holding a 'hui' (meeting) over a > weekend to look at genetic modification and indigenous and intellectual > property rights. Our message was taken to the meeting and discussed, and > the feedback is a good starting point of further debate and discussion. > We believe scientists can play a major role. They should reject > biopiracy and plagiarism of indigenous knowledge. They should insist on > involving and informing the local community at every stage, to ensure > that its interests are protected. As a matter of principle, commercial > benefits arising from indigenous knowledge and plant resources should go > towards enhancing local biodiversity and revitalising the indigenous > health system. > > That is all for 2001. Our consultation follows below, and after that, > our star feature. On behalf of ISIS, I wish you all a Merry X'mas and > Happy 2002. > > Dear ISIS r, > Thank you for subscribing to ISIS. Your support is essential for our > continued existence. We are planning some substantial changes in our > organisation necessitated by recent developments, which will affect our > mail-outs. We thought it best to consult with you beforehand. > > There has been a relatively rapid growth in our list of rs, > which is very gratifying for us. At the same time, this is putting a > strain on our resources and also creating tension in the level of > accessibility of our reports. > > ISIS' aim is to provide up-to-date and reliable information on science > and science-related social issues to as many people as possible. It is > becoming clear that our rs come in two kinds, those who want > concise, accessible information, and others who value our more detailed, > fully referenced approach. > > One way to cope with the increase in demand that would also enable us to > reach a wider readership is to concentrate our resources on providing > short, accessible reports and to relaunch ISIS News in a popular format > with more pictures and better layout. The magazine will be available for > viewing on line, and downloadable in a text-only version. Hard copies of > the magazine will be available by mail order as usual, or on compact > disc. > > In order to help us plan, we are inviting those who definitely want to > continue to receive the detailed, fully referenced reports and mail-outs > to become either a 'Member of ISIS', or a 'Friend of ISIS', at the > following suggested rates. > > Member of ISIS > Individual £20 per year > Small company £100 per year > Large company £500 per year > Friend of ISIS > Individual £100 per year > Small company £500 per year > Large company £2500 per year > > Apart from the regular e-mailed reports, members of ISIS shall be > entitled to download the online magazine in pdf format. Friends of ISIS > shall receive in addition, ISIS News on compact disc or hardcopy mailed > to them, and two compilations of ISIS reports in subject areas of their > choice, either on CD, or in print. These items will also be available > for purchase at discount rates to all members and friends. > > Please reply to this e-mail to tell us whether you will want to be a > member or a friend of ISIS, and in which category: individual, small > company or large company. Please do not send any payment yet. Those of > you who have sent donations will automatically be given the appropriate > status. And if you have any other suggestions, we would love to hear of > them! > > Thank you for your support. > Yours sincerely, > Dr. Mae-Wan Ho > Director > Institute of Science in Society > > This email may be reproduced in any unmodified form, on condition that > it is accredited accordingly and contains a link to the I-SIS > website: http://www.i-sis.org/ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 15, 2001 Report Share Posted December 15, 2001 problem is that even though we can control the Genetic make up in a lab we can not control cross pollination in nature. thus down the road a ways ALL FOODS will no longer be as they were they will all be to some degree.. changed , forever, not always for the better... jim Chris Ziegler wrote: > > I personally think ALL GMO's should be labeled ... we have the RIGHT to > choose to NOT be guiney pigs as far as our food chain is concerned ;( We > ARE what we eat and every single day they prove that more and more! > > Chris (list mom) > http://www.alittleolfactory.com > > Butch Owen wrote: > > > > > A Dutch farmer left two piles of maize in a barn infested with mice, one > > pile GM, the other non GM. The GM pile was untouched, while the non GM > > pile was completely eaten up. Incredible! > > > > Young undergraduate Hinze Hogendoorn devised his own laboratory tests > > and confirmed the finding, and more. Dr. Mae-Wan Ho reports from her > > recent visit to Hilversum near Amsterdam, where he lives with his mum. > > Mum Guusje is very proud of her son, though she waited until he took the > > train back to University College, Utrecht, to tell me about it. > > > > A young activists group (Jongeren Milieu Aktief) presented the report > > Hinze has written to the Dutch parliament on 11 December, and is > > featuring it on their new website (www.talk2000.nl). > > > > Hinze couldn't find a single scientific report on animals being tested > > for preference of GM versus non GM food on the web when he began. On > > extending his search to effects of GM foods on animals, he came across > > reports from companies developing GM foods, all declaring there were no > > adverse impacts. But he also came across independent researchers who > > have reported harmful effects, including Dr. Arpad Pusztai, who found GM > > potatoes damaged the kidney, thymus, spleen and gut of young rats. Hinze > > was > > disturbed, not just by the scientific findings, but by the fact that > > scientists opposing the big companies are so easily discredited. > > > > " Personally, I'm afraid these companies have too much interest invested > > in their products for their research to be creditable. " That was another > > motivation for him to do his own experiments. > > > > The 17 year-old was stumped at first, because he would have needed to go > > through a lot of bureaucracy to experiment on animals. However, he > > managed to rescue 30 female six-week old mice bred to feed snakes from a > > herpetology centre. The next problem was to find the appropriate food. > > He went to a website on the care of mice. Mice eat about 15% of their > > body weight every day, and they need a diverse diet. So he decided to > > give them a staple food along with the two foods that were to be > > compared, so they could really show their preference without being > > starved. For the staple, he used Rodent mix from the pet store, as well > > as some oatmeal and cereals guaranteed by their producers (Kellogg's and > > Quaker's) to be 'GM-free' in the Netherlands. For GM foods, he used > > maize and soya, and the corresponding organically grown versions as non > > GM. Water was supplied for the mice to drink as they pleased. And he > > kept track of all the food consumed each day. > > > > Large cages were used so the mice had plenty of room to move around. At > > the beginning, all the mice were weighed before they were put into the > > cage with four bowls containing GM and non GM maize meal, and GM and non > > GM soya meal respectively. The mice had not eaten for some time, but > > amazingly, they already showed very definite food preferences. The > > didn't like soya meal at all, GM or non GM, and only one mouse was found > > feeding on non GM soya meal for one minute in the 10 minutes they were > > observed. In the same period, 4 to 8 mice could be found in the bowl > > with non GM maize, compared to 1 to 3 in the bowl with GM maize. > > > > For the next week, Hinze continued to give the mice GM and non GM maize > > or soya chunks (which they did eat) in addition to their staple food, > > and measured the amount of each consumed daily over the next week. In > > all nine successive observations, more non GM was eaten than GM for > > maize or soya. In sum, the mice consumed 61% non GM and 39% GM food when > > given free choice. The results were highly significant, even though > > Hinze did not perform the statistical test. > > > > For the next experiment, Hinze tested for the effects of GM food. By > > this time, however, one mouse had died for unknown reasons. So he > > removed another mouse from the experiment, assigned 14 to the group fed > > GM food and 14 to the group fed non GM food after weighing them. Over > > the next 10 days, he kept track of the amount of food that the two > > groups consumed each day, and weighed the mice, halfway through and at > > the end of the experiments. > > > > The group fed GM ate more, probably because they were slightly heavier > > on average to begin with, but they gained less weight. By the end, they > > actually lost weight. In contrast, the group fed non GM ate less and > > gained more weight, continuing to gain weight until the end of the > > experiment. The results were statistically significant. > > > > That was not the only difference observed. There were marked behavioural > > differences, though Hinze admitted, these were " subjective " and not > > quantitative. The mice fed GM food " seemed less active while in their > > cages " . The differences in activity between the two cages grew as the > > experiment progressed, the mice in the non-GM cage were in the exercise > > wheel more often than those in the GM cage. Hinze also noticed that each > > time he came into the room, there tended to be more mice in the non GM > > cage walking or climbing around than in the GM cage. > > > > The most striking difference was when the mice were weighed at the end > > of the experiment. The mice fed GM food were " more distressed " than the > > other mice. " Many were running round and round the basket, scrabbling > > desperately in the sawdust, and even frantically jumping up the sides, > > something I'd never seen before. " They were clearly more nervous than > > the mice from the other cage. " For me this was the most disconcerting > > evidence that GM food is not quite normal. " > > > > Another " interesting result " is that one of the mice in the GM cage was > > found dead at the end of the experiment. He concluded, " At the end of > > everything, I must admit that the experiment has done nothing to soothe > > my qualms concerning genetically enhanced food. " His results " do seem to > > agree with Pusztai's " . > > > > Hinze is tall and athletic, and definitely doesn't like GM food. He is > > pleased to have found all that out for himself, and suggests everyone > > should do the same. > > > > He has put the scientists to shame, especially those who have condemned > > Pusztai's work, but have done nothing since to add to our knowledge. > > > > The Institute of Science in Society > > www.i-sis.org > > PO Box 32097, > > London NW1 OXR > > Tel: 44-20-8731-7714 > > 44-20-7383-3376 > > 44-20-7272-5636 > > > > > > ISIS X'mas Features and Consultation > > This Christmas mail-out is to provide some holiday cheer to recharge you > > for the year ahead, and also to consult our rs concerning > > possible changes to our strategy. > > > > Our star feature is, " Mice prefer non GM " , an ISIS exclusive (pasted in > > this e-mail). A 17 year old College student in The Netherlands has put > > our scientists to shame by performing a couple of key experiments on GM > > food that they have conspicuously omitted to do. He shows how mice do > > prefer non GM food when given the choice, and that when given no choice > > but to eat GM food, they grow more slowly, even lose weight and show > > strong signs of being distressed. That's not the only gauntlet we are > > laying down for the biotech proponents. " GM crops failed " explodes every > > single myth on the 'benefits' of GM crops and shows them up to be a > > total flop. They yield less, require more herbicides and pesticides, and > > earn less for the farmers. Bt-corn alone is estimated to have lost > > farmers $92 million. Even the FAO is recommending the Third World to go > > organic. > > > > The scandalous lack of support for research into organic, sustainable > > agriculture is all of a piece with the neglect towards research into > > holistic health. As the dominant reductionist medical model is falling > > apart and failing to deliver health, scientists are rediscovering > > indigenous herbal medicines around the world which have the potential to > > revitalise indigenous health systems, protect biodiversity, and provide > > safe, effective and affordable healthcare for all. We see this as a > > positive trend, but are aware that it could encourage biopiracy and > > plagiarism of indigenous knowledge, and has the potential to undermine > > the health system of the community concerned. > > > > So, in advance of circulating our report, " Honey beats superbugs " > > featuring the antimicrobial properties of honey from the Manuka Tree, we > > sent a draft via our New Zealand contacts to the Maori community. By > > coincidence, the Maori people were holding a 'hui' (meeting) over a > > weekend to look at genetic modification and indigenous and intellectual > > property rights. Our message was taken to the meeting and discussed, and > > the feedback is a good starting point of further debate and discussion. > > We believe scientists can play a major role. They should reject > > biopiracy and plagiarism of indigenous knowledge. They should insist on > > involving and informing the local community at every stage, to ensure > > that its interests are protected. As a matter of principle, commercial > > benefits arising from indigenous knowledge and plant resources should go > > towards enhancing local biodiversity and revitalising the indigenous > > health system. > > > > That is all for 2001. Our consultation follows below, and after that, > > our star feature. On behalf of ISIS, I wish you all a Merry X'mas and > > Happy 2002. > > > > Dear ISIS r, > > Thank you for subscribing to ISIS. Your support is essential for our > > continued existence. We are planning some substantial changes in our > > organisation necessitated by recent developments, which will affect our > > mail-outs. We thought it best to consult with you beforehand. > > > > There has been a relatively rapid growth in our list of rs, > > which is very gratifying for us. At the same time, this is putting a > > strain on our resources and also creating tension in the level of > > accessibility of our reports. > > > > ISIS' aim is to provide up-to-date and reliable information on science > > and science-related social issues to as many people as possible. It is > > becoming clear that our rs come in two kinds, those who want > > concise, accessible information, and others who value our more detailed, > > fully referenced approach. > > > > One way to cope with the increase in demand that would also enable us to > > reach a wider readership is to concentrate our resources on providing > > short, accessible reports and to relaunch ISIS News in a popular format > > with more pictures and better layout. The magazine will be available for > > viewing on line, and downloadable in a text-only version. Hard copies of > > the magazine will be available by mail order as usual, or on compact > > disc. > > > > In order to help us plan, we are inviting those who definitely want to > > continue to receive the detailed, fully referenced reports and mail-outs > > to become either a 'Member of ISIS', or a 'Friend of ISIS', at the > > following suggested rates. > > > > Member of ISIS > > Individual £20 per year > > Small company £100 per year > > Large company £500 per year > > Friend of ISIS > > Individual £100 per year > > Small company £500 per year > > Large company £2500 per year > > > > Apart from the regular e-mailed reports, members of ISIS shall be > > entitled to download the online magazine in pdf format. Friends of ISIS > > shall receive in addition, ISIS News on compact disc or hardcopy mailed > > to them, and two compilations of ISIS reports in subject areas of their > > choice, either on CD, or in print. These items will also be available > > for purchase at discount rates to all members and friends. > > > > Please reply to this e-mail to tell us whether you will want to be a > > member or a friend of ISIS, and in which category: individual, small > > company or large company. Please do not send any payment yet. Those of > > you who have sent donations will automatically be given the appropriate > > status. And if you have any other suggestions, we would love to hear of > > them! > > > > Thank you for your support. > > Yours sincerely, > > Dr. Mae-Wan Ho > > Director > > Institute of Science in Society > > > > This email may be reproduced in any unmodified form, on condition that > > it is accredited accordingly and contains a link to the I-SIS > > website: http://www.i-sis.org/ > > > > > My Pictures of Aromatic Plants and Exotic Places In Turkey > http://members.home.net/chrisziggy1/triptoturkey.html > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 15, 2001 Report Share Posted December 15, 2001 problem is that even though we can control the Genetic make up in a lab we can not control cross pollination in nature. Down the road a ways ALL FOODS will no longer be as they were they will all be to some degree.. changed , forever, not always for the better... jim Chris Ziegler wrote: > > I personally think ALL GMO's should be labeled ... we have the RIGHT to > choose to NOT be guiney pigs as far as our food chain is concerned ;( We > ARE what we eat and every single day they prove that more and more! > > Chris (list mom) > http://www.alittleolfactory.com > > Butch Owen wrote: > > > > > A Dutch farmer left two piles of maize in a barn infested with mice, one > > pile GM, the other non GM. The GM pile was untouched, while the non GM > > pile was completely eaten up. Incredible! > > > > Young undergraduate Hinze Hogendoorn devised his own laboratory tests > > and confirmed the finding, and more. Dr. Mae-Wan Ho reports from her > > recent visit to Hilversum near Amsterdam, where he lives with his mum. > > Mum Guusje is very proud of her son, though she waited until he took the > > train back to University College, Utrecht, to tell me about it. > > > > A young activists group (Jongeren Milieu Aktief) presented the report > > Hinze has written to the Dutch parliament on 11 December, and is > > featuring it on their new website (www.talk2000.nl). > > > > Hinze couldn't find a single scientific report on animals being tested > > for preference of GM versus non GM food on the web when he began. On > > extending his search to effects of GM foods on animals, he came across > > reports from companies developing GM foods, all declaring there were no > > adverse impacts. But he also came across independent researchers who > > have reported harmful effects, including Dr. Arpad Pusztai, who found GM > > potatoes damaged the kidney, thymus, spleen and gut of young rats. Hinze > > was > > disturbed, not just by the scientific findings, but by the fact that > > scientists opposing the big companies are so easily discredited. > > > > " Personally, I'm afraid these companies have too much interest invested > > in their products for their research to be creditable. " That was another > > motivation for him to do his own experiments. > > > > The 17 year-old was stumped at first, because he would have needed to go > > through a lot of bureaucracy to experiment on animals. However, he > > managed to rescue 30 female six-week old mice bred to feed snakes from a > > herpetology centre. The next problem was to find the appropriate food. > > He went to a website on the care of mice. Mice eat about 15% of their > > body weight every day, and they need a diverse diet. So he decided to > > give them a staple food along with the two foods that were to be > > compared, so they could really show their preference without being > > starved. For the staple, he used Rodent mix from the pet store, as well > > as some oatmeal and cereals guaranteed by their producers (Kellogg's and > > Quaker's) to be 'GM-free' in the Netherlands. For GM foods, he used > > maize and soya, and the corresponding organically grown versions as non > > GM. Water was supplied for the mice to drink as they pleased. And he > > kept track of all the food consumed each day. > > > > Large cages were used so the mice had plenty of room to move around. At > > the beginning, all the mice were weighed before they were put into the > > cage with four bowls containing GM and non GM maize meal, and GM and non > > GM soya meal respectively. The mice had not eaten for some time, but > > amazingly, they already showed very definite food preferences. The > > didn't like soya meal at all, GM or non GM, and only one mouse was found > > feeding on non GM soya meal for one minute in the 10 minutes they were > > observed. In the same period, 4 to 8 mice could be found in the bowl > > with non GM maize, compared to 1 to 3 in the bowl with GM maize. > > > > For the next week, Hinze continued to give the mice GM and non GM maize > > or soya chunks (which they did eat) in addition to their staple food, > > and measured the amount of each consumed daily over the next week. In > > all nine successive observations, more non GM was eaten than GM for > > maize or soya. In sum, the mice consumed 61% non GM and 39% GM food when > > given free choice. The results were highly significant, even though > > Hinze did not perform the statistical test. > > > > For the next experiment, Hinze tested for the effects of GM food. By > > this time, however, one mouse had died for unknown reasons. So he > > removed another mouse from the experiment, assigned 14 to the group fed > > GM food and 14 to the group fed non GM food after weighing them. Over > > the next 10 days, he kept track of the amount of food that the two > > groups consumed each day, and weighed the mice, halfway through and at > > the end of the experiments. > > > > The group fed GM ate more, probably because they were slightly heavier > > on average to begin with, but they gained less weight. By the end, they > > actually lost weight. In contrast, the group fed non GM ate less and > > gained more weight, continuing to gain weight until the end of the > > experiment. The results were statistically significant. > > > > That was not the only difference observed. There were marked behavioural > > differences, though Hinze admitted, these were " subjective " and not > > quantitative. The mice fed GM food " seemed less active while in their > > cages " . The differences in activity between the two cages grew as the > > experiment progressed, the mice in the non-GM cage were in the exercise > > wheel more often than those in the GM cage. Hinze also noticed that each > > time he came into the room, there tended to be more mice in the non GM > > cage walking or climbing around than in the GM cage. > > > > The most striking difference was when the mice were weighed at the end > > of the experiment. The mice fed GM food were " more distressed " than the > > other mice. " Many were running round and round the basket, scrabbling > > desperately in the sawdust, and even frantically jumping up the sides, > > something I'd never seen before. " They were clearly more nervous than > > the mice from the other cage. " For me this was the most disconcerting > > evidence that GM food is not quite normal. " > > > > Another " interesting result " is that one of the mice in the GM cage was > > found dead at the end of the experiment. He concluded, " At the end of > > everything, I must admit that the experiment has done nothing to soothe > > my qualms concerning genetically enhanced food. " His results " do seem to > > agree with Pusztai's " . > > > > Hinze is tall and athletic, and definitely doesn't like GM food. He is > > pleased to have found all that out for himself, and suggests everyone > > should do the same. > > > > He has put the scientists to shame, especially those who have condemned > > Pusztai's work, but have done nothing since to add to our knowledge. > > > > The Institute of Science in Society > > www.i-sis.org > > PO Box 32097, > > London NW1 OXR > > Tel: 44-20-8731-7714 > > 44-20-7383-3376 > > 44-20-7272-5636 > > > > > > ISIS X'mas Features and Consultation > > This Christmas mail-out is to provide some holiday cheer to recharge you > > for the year ahead, and also to consult our rs concerning > > possible changes to our strategy. > > > > Our star feature is, " Mice prefer non GM " , an ISIS exclusive (pasted in > > this e-mail). A 17 year old College student in The Netherlands has put > > our scientists to shame by performing a couple of key experiments on GM > > food that they have conspicuously omitted to do. He shows how mice do > > prefer non GM food when given the choice, and that when given no choice > > but to eat GM food, they grow more slowly, even lose weight and show > > strong signs of being distressed. That's not the only gauntlet we are > > laying down for the biotech proponents. " GM crops failed " explodes every > > single myth on the 'benefits' of GM crops and shows them up to be a > > total flop. They yield less, require more herbicides and pesticides, and > > earn less for the farmers. Bt-corn alone is estimated to have lost > > farmers $92 million. Even the FAO is recommending the Third World to go > > organic. > > > > The scandalous lack of support for research into organic, sustainable > > agriculture is all of a piece with the neglect towards research into > > holistic health. As the dominant reductionist medical model is falling > > apart and failing to deliver health, scientists are rediscovering > > indigenous herbal medicines around the world which have the potential to > > revitalise indigenous health systems, protect biodiversity, and provide > > safe, effective and affordable healthcare for all. We see this as a > > positive trend, but are aware that it could encourage biopiracy and > > plagiarism of indigenous knowledge, and has the potential to undermine > > the health system of the community concerned. > > > > So, in advance of circulating our report, " Honey beats superbugs " > > featuring the antimicrobial properties of honey from the Manuka Tree, we > > sent a draft via our New Zealand contacts to the Maori community. By > > coincidence, the Maori people were holding a 'hui' (meeting) over a > > weekend to look at genetic modification and indigenous and intellectual > > property rights. Our message was taken to the meeting and discussed, and > > the feedback is a good starting point of further debate and discussion. > > We believe scientists can play a major role. They should reject > > biopiracy and plagiarism of indigenous knowledge. They should insist on > > involving and informing the local community at every stage, to ensure > > that its interests are protected. As a matter of principle, commercial > > benefits arising from indigenous knowledge and plant resources should go > > towards enhancing local biodiversity and revitalising the indigenous > > health system. > > > > That is all for 2001. Our consultation follows below, and after that, > > our star feature. On behalf of ISIS, I wish you all a Merry X'mas and > > Happy 2002. > > > > Dear ISIS r, > > Thank you for subscribing to ISIS. Your support is essential for our > > continued existence. We are planning some substantial changes in our > > organisation necessitated by recent developments, which will affect our > > mail-outs. We thought it best to consult with you beforehand. > > > > There has been a relatively rapid growth in our list of rs, > > which is very gratifying for us. At the same time, this is putting a > > strain on our resources and also creating tension in the level of > > accessibility of our reports. > > > > ISIS' aim is to provide up-to-date and reliable information on science > > and science-related social issues to as many people as possible. It is > > becoming clear that our rs come in two kinds, those who want > > concise, accessible information, and others who value our more detailed, > > fully referenced approach. > > > > One way to cope with the increase in demand that would also enable us to > > reach a wider readership is to concentrate our resources on providing > > short, accessible reports and to relaunch ISIS News in a popular format > > with more pictures and better layout. The magazine will be available for > > viewing on line, and downloadable in a text-only version. Hard copies of > > the magazine will be available by mail order as usual, or on compact > > disc. > > > > In order to help us plan, we are inviting those who definitely want to > > continue to receive the detailed, fully referenced reports and mail-outs > > to become either a 'Member of ISIS', or a 'Friend of ISIS', at the > > following suggested rates. > > > > Member of ISIS > > Individual £20 per year > > Small company £100 per year > > Large company £500 per year > > Friend of ISIS > > Individual £100 per year > > Small company £500 per year > > Large company £2500 per year > > > > Apart from the regular e-mailed reports, members of ISIS shall be > > entitled to download the online magazine in pdf format. Friends of ISIS > > shall receive in addition, ISIS News on compact disc or hardcopy mailed > > to them, and two compilations of ISIS reports in subject areas of their > > choice, either on CD, or in print. These items will also be available > > for purchase at discount rates to all members and friends. > > > > Please reply to this e-mail to tell us whether you will want to be a > > member or a friend of ISIS, and in which category: individual, small > > company or large company. Please do not send any payment yet. Those of > > you who have sent donations will automatically be given the appropriate > > status. And if you have any other suggestions, we would love to hear of > > them! > > > > Thank you for your support. > > Yours sincerely, > > Dr. Mae-Wan Ho > > Director > > Institute of Science in Society > > > > This email may be reproduced in any unmodified form, on condition that > > it is accredited accordingly and contains a link to the I-SIS > > website: http://www.i-sis.org/ > > > > > My Pictures of Aromatic Plants and Exotic Places In Turkey > http://members.home.net/chrisziggy1/triptoturkey.html > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 15, 2001 Report Share Posted December 15, 2001 I don't have a problem with natural cross pollination, or even interplant species grafting .. what I don't like is the idea of pig genes in my string beans! *I just can't smile about this subject!* Chris (list mom) http://www.alittleolfactory.com James W. French wrote: > problem is that even though we can control the Genetic make up in a lab > we can not control cross pollination in nature. Down the road a ways ALL > FOODS will no longer be as they were they will all be to some degree.. > changed , forever, not always for the better... jim > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 16, 2001 Report Share Posted December 16, 2001 A Dutch farmer left two piles of maize in a barn infested with mice, one pile GM, the other non GM. The GM pile was untouched, while the non GM pile was completely eaten up. Incredible! Young undergraduate Hinze Hogendoorn devised his own laboratory tests and confirmed the finding, and more. Dr. Mae-Wan Ho reports from her recent visit to Hilversum near Amsterdam, where he lives with his mum. Mum Guusje is very proud of her son, though she waited until he took the train back to University College, Utrecht, to tell me about it. A young activists group (Jongeren Milieu Aktief) presented the report Hinze has written to the Dutch parliament on 11 December, and is featuring it on their new website (www.talk2000.nl). Hinze couldn't find a single scientific report on animals being tested for preference of GM versus non GM food on the web when he began. On extending his search to effects of GM foods on animals, he came across reports from companies developing GM foods, all declaring there were no adverse impacts. But he also came across independent researchers who have reported harmful effects, including Dr. Arpad Pusztai, who found GM potatoes damaged the kidney, thymus, spleen and gut of young rats. Hinze was disturbed, not just by the scientific findings, but by the fact that scientists opposing the big companies are so easily discredited. " Personally, I'm afraid these companies have too much interest invested in their products for their research to be creditable. " That was another motivation for him to do his own experiments. The 17 year-old was stumped at first, because he would have needed to go through a lot of bureaucracy to experiment on animals. However, he managed to rescue 30 female six-week old mice bred to feed snakes from a herpetology centre. The next problem was to find the appropriate food. He went to a website on the care of mice. Mice eat about 15% of their body weight every day, and they need a diverse diet. So he decided to give them a staple food along with the two foods that were to be compared, so they could really show their preference without being starved. For the staple, he used Rodent mix from the pet store, as well as some oatmeal and cereals guaranteed by their producers (Kellogg's and Quaker's) to be 'GM-free' in the Netherlands. For GM foods, he used maize and soya, and the corresponding organically grown versions as non GM. Water was supplied for the mice to drink as they pleased. And he kept track of all the food consumed each day. Large cages were used so the mice had plenty of room to move around. At the beginning, all the mice were weighed before they were put into the cage with four bowls containing GM and non GM maize meal, and GM and non GM soya meal respectively. The mice had not eaten for some time, but amazingly, they already showed very definite food preferences. The didn't like soya meal at all, GM or non GM, and only one mouse was found feeding on non GM soya meal for one minute in the 10 minutes they were observed. In the same period, 4 to 8 mice could be found in the bowl with non GM maize, compared to 1 to 3 in the bowl with GM maize. For the next week, Hinze continued to give the mice GM and non GM maize or soya chunks (which they did eat) in addition to their staple food, and measured the amount of each consumed daily over the next week. In all nine successive observations, more non GM was eaten than GM for maize or soya. In sum, the mice consumed 61% non GM and 39% GM food when given free choice. The results were highly significant, even though Hinze did not perform the statistical test. For the next experiment, Hinze tested for the effects of GM food. By this time, however, one mouse had died for unknown reasons. So he removed another mouse from the experiment, assigned 14 to the group fed GM food and 14 to the group fed non GM food after weighing them. Over the next 10 days, he kept track of the amount of food that the two groups consumed each day, and weighed the mice, halfway through and at the end of the experiments. The group fed GM ate more, probably because they were slightly heavier on average to begin with, but they gained less weight. By the end, they actually lost weight. In contrast, the group fed non GM ate less and gained more weight, continuing to gain weight until the end of the experiment. The results were statistically significant. That was not the only difference observed. There were marked behavioural differences, though Hinze admitted, these were " subjective " and not quantitative. The mice fed GM food " seemed less active while in their cages " . The differences in activity between the two cages grew as the experiment progressed, the mice in the non-GM cage were in the exercise wheel more often than those in the GM cage. Hinze also noticed that each time he came into the room, there tended to be more mice in the non GM cage walking or climbing around than in the GM cage. The most striking difference was when the mice were weighed at the end of the experiment. The mice fed GM food were " more distressed " than the other mice. " Many were running round and round the basket, scrabbling desperately in the sawdust, and even frantically jumping up the sides, something I'd never seen before. " They were clearly more nervous than the mice from the other cage. " For me this was the most disconcerting evidence that GM food is not quite normal. " Another " interesting result " is that one of the mice in the GM cage was found dead at the end of the experiment. He concluded, " At the end of everything, I must admit that the experiment has done nothing to soothe my qualms concerning genetically enhanced food. " His results " do seem to agree with Pusztai's " . Hinze is tall and athletic, and definitely doesn't like GM food. He is pleased to have found all that out for himself, and suggests everyone should do the same. He has put the scientists to shame, especially those who have condemned Pusztai's work, but have done nothing since to add to our knowledge. The Institute of Science in Society www.i-sis.org PO Box 32097, London NW1 OXR Tel: 44-20-8731-7714 44-20-7383-3376 44-20-7272-5636 ISIS X'mas Features and Consultation This Christmas mail-out is to provide some holiday cheer to recharge you for the year ahead, and also to consult our rs concerning possible changes to our strategy. Our star feature is, " Mice prefer non GM " , an ISIS exclusive (pasted in this e-mail). A 17 year old College student in The Netherlands has put our scientists to shame by performing a couple of key experiments on GM food that they have conspicuously omitted to do. He shows how mice do prefer non GM food when given the choice, and that when given no choice but to eat GM food, they grow more slowly, even lose weight and show strong signs of being distressed. That's not the only gauntlet we are laying down for the biotech proponents. " GM crops failed " explodes every single myth on the 'benefits' of GM crops and shows them up to be a total flop. They yield less, require more herbicides and pesticides, and earn less for the farmers. Bt-corn alone is estimated to have lost farmers $92 million. Even the FAO is recommending the Third World to go organic. The scandalous lack of support for research into organic, sustainable agriculture is all of a piece with the neglect towards research into holistic health. As the dominant reductionist medical model is falling apart and failing to deliver health, scientists are rediscovering indigenous herbal medicines around the world which have the potential to revitalise indigenous health systems, protect biodiversity, and provide safe, effective and affordable healthcare for all. We see this as a positive trend, but are aware that it could encourage biopiracy and plagiarism of indigenous knowledge, and has the potential to undermine the health system of the community concerned. So, in advance of circulating our report, " Honey beats superbugs " featuring the antimicrobial properties of honey from the Manuka Tree, we sent a draft via our New Zealand contacts to the Maori community. By coincidence, the Maori people were holding a 'hui' (meeting) over a weekend to look at genetic modification and indigenous and intellectual property rights. Our message was taken to the meeting and discussed, and the feedback is a good starting point of further debate and discussion. We believe scientists can play a major role. They should reject biopiracy and plagiarism of indigenous knowledge. They should insist on involving and informing the local community at every stage, to ensure that its interests are protected. As a matter of principle, commercial benefits arising from indigenous knowledge and plant resources should go towards enhancing local biodiversity and revitalising the indigenous health system. That is all for 2001. Our consultation follows below, and after that, our star feature. On behalf of ISIS, I wish you all a Merry X'mas and Happy 2002. Dear ISIS r, Thank you for subscribing to ISIS. Your support is essential for our continued existence. We are planning some substantial changes in our organisation necessitated by recent developments, which will affect our mail-outs. We thought it best to consult with you beforehand. There has been a relatively rapid growth in our list of rs, which is very gratifying for us. At the same time, this is putting a strain on our resources and also creating tension in the level of accessibility of our reports. ISIS' aim is to provide up-to-date and reliable information on science and science-related social issues to as many people as possible. It is becoming clear that our rs come in two kinds, those who want concise, accessible information, and others who value our more detailed, fully referenced approach. One way to cope with the increase in demand that would also enable us to reach a wider readership is to concentrate our resources on providing short, accessible reports and to relaunch ISIS News in a popular format with more pictures and better layout. The magazine will be available for viewing on line, and downloadable in a text-only version. Hard copies of the magazine will be available by mail order as usual, or on compact disc. In order to help us plan, we are inviting those who definitely want to continue to receive the detailed, fully referenced reports and mail-outs to become either a 'Member of ISIS', or a 'Friend of ISIS', at the following suggested rates. Member of ISIS Individual £20 per year Small company £100 per year Large company £500 per year Friend of ISIS Individual £100 per year Small company £500 per year Large company £2500 per year Apart from the regular e-mailed reports, members of ISIS shall be entitled to download the online magazine in pdf format. Friends of ISIS shall receive in addition, ISIS News on compact disc or hardcopy mailed to them, and two compilations of ISIS reports in subject areas of their choice, either on CD, or in print. These items will also be available for purchase at discount rates to all members and friends. Please reply to this e-mail to tell us whether you will want to be a member or a friend of ISIS, and in which category: individual, small company or large company. Please do not send any payment yet. Those of you who have sent donations will automatically be given the appropriate status. And if you have any other suggestions, we would love to hear of them! Thank you for your support. Yours sincerely, Dr. Mae-Wan Ho Institute of Science in Society This email may be reproduced in any unmodified form, on condition that it is accredited accordingly and contains a link to the I-SIS website: http://www.i-sis.org/ If you would prefer to receive future mailings as plain text please let us know. If you would like to be removed from our mailing list - please reply to press-release with the word in the subject field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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