It's About Animals

Molecular biologists have discovered many enzymes that which change the structure of DNA in living organisms. Using such enzymes, scientists learned to cut specific genes from DNA and to build customized DNA using these genes. They also learned about vectors, strands of DNA such as viruses, which can infect a cell and insert themselves into its DNA. With this knowledge, scientists started to build vectors that incorporate genes of their choosing and used the new vectors to insert these genes into the DNA of living organisms.

Genetic engineers believe they can improve the foods we eat by doing this. For example, tomatoes are sensitive to frost. This shortens their growing season. Fish, on the other hand, survive in very cold water. Scientists identified a particular gene, which enables a flounder to resist cold, and used the technology of genetic engineering to insert this 'anti-freeze' gene into a tomato. This makes it possible to extend the growing season of the tomato.

At first glance, this might look exciting to some people. However, deeper consideration reveals serious dangers. Genetic engineering is like performing heart surgery with a shovel. Scientists don’t know enough about living systems to perform DNA surgery without creating mutations that could be harmful to the environment and our health. They are experimenting with very delicate, yet powerful forces of nature, without full knowledge of the repercussions.

There are about 40 varieties of genetically engineered crops approved for marketing in the U.S. As a result, 60-70% of the foods on your grocery shelves contain genetically engineered (GE) components. Genetically engineered foods contain substances that have never been a part of the human food supply. They are not subjected to rigorous pre-market safety testing. And THEY ARE NOT LABELED. Millions of Americans are consuming genetically engineered products each day without their knowledge because of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) failure to require such labeling. People with ethical or religious dietary principles are unwittingly consuming foods that contain genes from other species and those with food allergies have no way of knowing whether they are consuming foods containing elements of foods to which they are sensitive.

The government’s current failure to require the pre-market safety testing of genetically engineered foods raises serious concerns about the health impacts of these new foods. Even the FDA’s own scientists have stated that "undesirable effects such as increased levels of known naturally occurring toxicants, appearance of new, not previously identified toxicants, increased capability of concentrating toxic substances from the environment (e.g., pesticides or heavy metals), and undesirable alterations in the levels of nutrients may escape [plant] breeders attention unless genetically engineered plants are evaluated specifically for these changes." Yet, the agency requires no mandatory safety testing before a genetically engineered food comes to market!

The Food and Drug Administration wants to know what you think of bio-engineered foods! They are holding public hearings and soliciting comments concerning the government's policy regarding genetically engineered food. All comments are due before January 13, 2000. Write to FDA Commissioner Jane Henney Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Say that you want all genetically engineered products to be labeled. Be sure to refer to Docket No. 99N-4282.

Bob DeFranco is an animal behavior therapist, director of the Animal Behavior Center of New York and president of the American Foundation for Animal Rescue, Inc. in Queens. Watch him on the Companion Animal Network, QPTV Channel 34, Wednesdays at 8:30 PM and listen to him on NewsTalk WEVD 1050 AM, Saturdays at 5:00 P.M. beginning January 15. Questions or comments? Write P.O. Box 7623, Rego Park, NY 11374 or e-mail him at: bob@canines.com

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