Genetically Engineered Enzymes

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Genetically Engineered Enzymes

JoAnn Guest

Sep 20, 2006

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Mothers for Natural Law - Genetically Engineered Enzymes

 

http://www.safe-food.org/-consumer/enzymes.html

 

Enzymes are naturally occurring proteins that speed up biochemical

processes. They're used to produce everything from wine and cheese

to corn syrup and baked goods.

 

Enzymes allow the manufacturer to produce more of a particular

product in a shorter amount of time, thus increasing profit.

 

Generally, the use of enzymes is beneficial. In some cases, they can

replace harmful chemicals and reduce water and energy consumption in

food production.

 

However, enzymes produced by " genetically engineered " organisms are

cause for concern.

 

Not enough is known about the long-term effects of these enzymes on

humans and the ecosystem for them to be used across the board.

FDA regulations on enzyme use is a gray area.

 

Enzymes used in the processing of foods do not have to be listed on

product labels because they are not considered foods.

 

Also, when enzymes are genetically engineered, the manufacturer is

not required to notify the FDA that the enzymes have been modified.

 

The lists of GE enzymes known by the FDA is, by their own

admission, " incomplete. "

 

Worldwide, the enzyme market is a $1.3 billion industry.

One of the largest enzyme manufacturers are Novo Nordisk, which

manufactures GE and non-GE enzymes.

You can contact Novo Nordisk (U.S.) at enzym-@n... and let them know

your views on genetic engineering.

 

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The FDA has provided us with this partial list of genetically

engineered enzymes:

 

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Chymosin—used in the production of cheese

 

Novamyl—used in baked goods to help preserve freshness

 

Alpha amylase—used in the production of white sugar, maltodextrins

and nutritive carbohydrate sweeteners (corn syrup)

 

Aspartic (proteinase enzyme from R. miehei)—used in the production

of cheese

 

Pullulanase—used in the production of high fructose corn syrup

 

If you want to absolutely avoid genetically engineered enzymes you

will have two choices:

 

avoid foods in the following categories, or call the food

manufacturers directly and ask them if their enzymes are genetically

engineered. They will probably have no idea.

Ask them to check and call them back again.

Let us know if you get written confirmation.

 

Beers, wines and fruit juices:

 

(Enzymes used: Cereflo, Ceremix, Neutrase, Ultraflo, Termamyl,

Fungamyl, AMG, Promozyme, Viscozyme, Finizym, Maturex, Pectinex,

Pectinex Ultra SP-L, Pectinex BE-3L,

Pectinex AR, Ultrazym, Vinozym, Citrozym, Novoclairzym, Movoferm 12,

Glucanex, Bio-Cip Membrane, Peelzym, Olivex/Zietex)

 

 

 

Sugar—Enzymes used:

 

Termamyl, Dextranase, Invertase, Alpha Amylase

 

 

 

Oils—Enzymes used:

 

Lipozyme IM, Novozym 435, Lecitase, Lipozyme,

Novozym 398, Olivex, Zeitex

 

 

 

Dairy products—Enzymes used:

 

Lactozym, Palatase, Alcalase,

Pancreatic Trypsin Novo (PTN), Flavourzyme, Catazyme, Chymosin

 

 

 

Baked goods—Enzymes used:

 

Fungamyl, AMG, Pentopan, Novomyl,

Glutenase, Gluzyme

 

In many cases the enzymes named above are brand names. They may

appear under other names as well.

 

Enzymes are usually found in minuscule quantities in the final food

product.

 

The toxin found in genetically engineered tryptophan was less than

0.1 percent of the total weight of the product,

 

yet it was enough to *kill* people.

 

The use of enzymes is pervasive in the food industry. Nothing is

known about the long-term effects of genetically engineered enzymes.

 

We include this information so you can make an informed choice about

whether you want to eat them or not.

_________________

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Genes