Make you Fink on Friday

GM even safer than conventional food, says environment secretary

While there have been several field trials, only two GM crops have been approved for commercial growing in the EU

GM crops are probably [my emphasis] safer than conventional plants, according to the Environment Secretary.

Making the strongest call yet for the adoption of the technology, Mr Paterson told the BBC that that GM has significant benefits for farmers, consumers and the environment.

He said the next generation of GM crops offers the “most wonderful opportunities to improve human health.”

But green groups say this new push is dangerous and misguided.

The environment secretary has never made a secret of his support for GM technology. Speaking to the BBC ahead of a major speech in favour of GM, Mr Paterson said it was being adopted by the rest of the world and the UK and Europe risked being left behind.

He dismissed criticisms that GM could pose problems to human health.

“The use of more precise technology and the greater regulatory scrutiny probably make GMOs even safer than than conventional plants and food,” he said.

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Opinion:

Mr Paterson is full of shit!

“Probably” is enough reason not to go ahead. Until it can be categorically stated “are safer” then the Environment Secretary is a fool.

While “Questions remain over their effects on human health and the environment, it warns.” – Daily Mail, the world should be looking sideways at GM crops.

“Soil Association policy director Peter Melchett said that GM would make it harder, not easier, to feed the world.” – BBC News People like this are not saying these things for fun.

For idiots like Paterson, one seriously has to wonder who is paying him, and how much, to make these statements that fly in the face of so many researchers who have grave doubts. This twerp is a village idiot politician, he is NOT a scientist; he is reiterating rhetoric from sources that support HIS ideals, and ignoring what could possibly be the truth.

 

“Over 800 world scientists agree: GM crops are nothing short of a bio-war on our food

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand why genetically modified foods are dangerous, but if you look closely, you may just find the name of one listed among the names of more than 800 scientists from around the globe who have joined forces in an open letter to all world governments, outlining their detailed concerns over the alarming potential threat of biotech’s unauthorized, worldwide GM foods experiment.” – A Blogger who gives this link:

Open Letter from World Scientists to All Governments Concerning Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

• The scientists are extremely concerned about the hazards of GMOs to biodiversity, food safety, human and animal health, and demand a moratorium on environmental releases in accordance with the precautionary principle.
• They are opposed to GM crops that will intensify corporate monopoly, exacerbate inequality and prevent the essential shift to sustainable agriculture that can provide food security and health around the world.
• They call for a ban on patents of life-forms and living processes which threaten food security, sanction biopiracy of indigenous knowledge and genetic resources and violate basic human rights and dignity.
• They want more support on research and development of non-corporate, sustainable agriculture that can benefit family farmers all over the world.

Signed by 828 scientists

These guys aren’t fools, neither are they paid by GM enthusiasts…

I know who I’d rather trust, a scientist or a village idiot, no contest.

Horsemeat and Codswallop

One amongst many tainted brands

The current horsemeat scandal does not surprise me.

It was inevitable.

A number of factors caused it, principally the need for cheaper meat and those willing to subvert the law to provide it. The EU (European Union) and it’s method of supplying products freely over borders. Governments cutting costs with less health inspectors and monitoring. The decline in local butcher’s shops in favour of the corporate level supermarket.

We need to buy frozen meals at the supermarket

Lastly, and probably the biggest factor, our need to have meals prepared and frozen…

…because we are to damned lazy to cook at home!

Largely, we ourselves are to blame.

I have touted, for a long time, the need to return to the old ways. This is a prime example of why.

The governments have regulated that you can only buy meat from corporate slaughter houses and abattoirs. Another case of the ‘milk’ story, it’s because of your health.

Codswallop!

It’s because of corporate wealth!

For centuries we have grown our own animals for consumption and survived; and now the government comes along and says you can’t.

I know that because most of live in cities, it’s impractical to raise big beasts for the household, but we can seriously look at supporting our local butcher. Most are pretty reputable types, those that aren’t soon lose their custom.

We have been eating horsemeat for years. There is nothing wrong with horsemeat. The problem is that horses can/may have been treated with phenylbutazone. Therein lies the problem.

“In the United States and United Kingdom, it is no longer approved for human use, as it can cause severe adverse effects such as suppression of white blood cell production and aplastic anemia.” – Wikipedia

If horses were raised for human consumption, then they would not be treated and the meat itself perfectly okay, apart from peoples’ aversion to eating such a ‘noble’ animal.

We eat almost anything else, but suddenly the world starts gagging collectively over horsemeat.

We call meat from cattle beef, sheep meat is called mutton, pig is pork, deer is venison; if only we had a fancy name for horse, would it be more acceptable? Perhaps if we used the French, viande de chevaline, there’s a nice name, it would lessen the stigma.