Genetically engineered salmon is fit for dinner, FDA says in first decision of its kind – LA Times

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Al Bergstein

Sometimes government agencies get it wrong. This is one of those times. Now we, the consumers, have to continue to just say no to farmed salmon, and demand wild fish. Only consumers can stop the industry, which has apparently manipulated through it’s lobbying efforts the highest levels of the FDA. This is a bad decision, for the environment, for consumers, and for fish. Why? It’s not that you might keel over by eating this fish. It’s about the entire ecosystem that is created to support this new animal. Have long term studies been done? I’ve not seen any. Has anyone questioned whether the feed and antibiotics that may be needed to support this creature are passed through to diners? Or what their effects on the environment might be under the pens that raise these? NOAA, which has certified these pens, only looks at the short term effects of the pens on the bottom directly under the pens. The science behind this is skewed in the favor of the farms, not the environment or the consumer. 


Perhaps that last breed does not evoke images of ancient and frigid headwaters in Alaska or Arctic Canada, where wild salmon spawn every year, or even the humble hatcheries that produce less expensive species consumed by millions of people. But on Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration announced that the AquAdvantage salmon — developed using growth hormone from Chinook salmon and a gene from an eel-like ocean fish that makes it reach market size twice as quickly as other salmon — has become the first genetically engineered animal approved for American consumption. AquaBounty Technologies Inc., the Massachusetts company that created the fish, calls it “the world’s most sustainable salmon.” Opponents call it “Frankenfish.” The FDA, which was accused of delaying the decision for years amid public concern, now says you can call it dinner. William Yardley reports. (LA Times)

 http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-85096654/

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Article on GMO Controversy shows difficulty finding ‘Truth’ in the debate – NY Times

Posted on January 5, 2014 by Al Bergstein

One of the most hotly discussed issues of the last election in our county and state was the issue of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s) and it’s use in our foods. The NY Times takes an indepth front page look at one small county’s battle to ban them, and the issues that it raises. This issue is not so black and white as the supporters of either side would like.  I post it here to help people understand the complexity of this issue and fact that sometimes things are neither all good nor bad, but various shades of gray.  Do you think that we should not save the Papaya if we can genetically engineer it to avoid disease? And is the science people are relying on really proven or just extrapolation of data to prove a point that one side or the other wants to arrive at? There is an old saying that caution us that ” To Assume is to make an Ass of U and Me”. It’s wise to remember that in this context.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/05/us/on-hawaii-a-lonely-quest-for-facts-about-gmos.html?hp&_r=0

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Report from the Front: Alexandra Morton’s latest video

Posted on November 30, 2013 by Al Bergstein

Lots of news on the farmed salmon front lately. The  world’s leading scientist working on educating the public on this threat, Ms. Alexandra Morton of Canada, has a new video covering the several disturbing bits of news regarding salmon farming. From Canada’s taking down of the Cohen Commission’s comprehensive web site (the government spent $26M on the commission!), to a new genetically modified salmon, to the EU failing to properly protect the public from high levels of toxins in Norwegian farmed salmon, this 9 minute video is worth a short break from your day.

It’s more clear than ever that saying no to farmed salmon is the right thing to do, and that their industry looks more and more like nuclear power, a failed experiment that just won’t go away because there is too much money at stake.

http://alexandramorton.typepad.com/alexandra_morton/2013/11/looking-more-than-a-little-dodgy.html

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PT – Quimper Grange to host documentaries on GMO products

Posted on August 22, 2013 by Al Bergstein

Quimper Grange will be hosting four documentaries on how genetically engineered foods impact our health, the health of our agricultural system and the health of the environment. (A poster describing the films is attached).

If you are only now becoming aware of the campaign to get Genetically Modified foods (GMO) at least labeled properly or the threat to our food supplies and your ability to continue to get organic food, then you should think of seeing one of these if not all these films.

The schedule for Quimper Grange screenings are:

AG 28, 7:00 — THE WORLD ACCORDING TO MONSANTO

SEPT 4, 7:00 — SEEDS OF DEATH

SEPT 11, 7:00 — GENETIC ROULETTE – THE GAMBLE OF OUR LIVES

SEPT 16, 7:00 — SEEDS OF FREEDOM

GMO Films 11x17 size

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Talk on GMO fish at Quimper Grange in PT April 1st.

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Al Bergstein

Though it will be held April 1st, this is no joke. A talk by one of the leading people educating the public on the issues of fish farming and protecting wild salmon stocks.

AnneMosness

“TAMPERING WITH NATURE AND OUR RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT WE ARE EATING”, about GMO Salmon
Risks of genetic engineering of salmon will be the main topic of Anne Mosness’ program at Quimper Grange on Monday, April 1st. Anne has spent many years as captain of salmon fishing boats and comes from a commercial fishing family. She is a long time advocate for wild fish, healthy coastal ecosystems and economies. Her background includes representing wild fisheries at the UN Forum for Food Sovereignty, Slow Fish, Slow Food and organizing Blue Festival educational events.

When the genes of unrelated species of fish are combined it is possible to them to grow bigger and faster however there has not been adequate research on human health risks, the environment, or impacts on traditional food producers and businesses. If a GE salmon patent is granted it will open the floodgates for patenting other species of transgenic fish. Several laws and regulations currently being considered are very important and will be discussed at the Grange program.

Anne will talk about the potential for pollution of the gene pool and how open cages have proven incapable of confining farmed fish which could have dire consequences in the in the marine environment.

In 2006 Quimper Grange authored a resolution in support of labeling genetically engineered organisms that was adopted as Washington State Grange’s policy position. Now, in light of impending legislation Quimper Grange reiterates its support of labeling genetically engineered foods and presents the public with an opportunity to learn about current and urgent genetic engineering issues. Quimper Grange, 1219 Corona Street (at the N. end of Sheridan). Doors open at 7:00 for socializing (potluck finger foods encouraged). Program starts at 7:30 for more information call Marla Streator at 385-6924.

More on Anne Mosness at http://www.foodandcommunityfellows.org/fellow/anne-mosness

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