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Media Inquiries
N. J. Jaeger, CAE
1.310.377.0915 (PST)
media1@responsibletechnology.org
www.responsibletechnology.org
P.O. Box 469, Fairfield, Iowa 52556
PRESS RELEASE
Genetically Engineered Food Endangers Health.
Political Corruption Exposed.
Evidence Counters U.S. WTO Challenge Against EU
At a time when the U.S. is claiming Europe's restrictive genetically modified (GM) food policy is illegal and baseless, an explosive exposé shows that the foods are in fact unsafe. The book, Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies About the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You're Eating, presents overwhelming evidence documenting serious potential health problems associated with these hi-tech foods that Americans eat everyday. Moreover, the book reveals how corporate influence and political collusion have allowed GM foods on the market.
To keep the potential dangers hidden, whistle-blowers were harassed, stripped of responsibilities, or fired. Evidence was stolen. Research data was omitted or distorted. The FDA even withheld information from Congress after a GM food supplement killed nearly a hundred people and disabled thousands. According to author Jeffrey M. Smith, "Internal documents made public by a lawsuit reveal that the FDA's own scientists warned that GM foods could lead to unpredictable toxins, allergies, and new diseases. They insisted that each GM food be subject to long term safety testing before it was approved." The agency's political appointees-including a former lawyer for biotech giant Monsanto-overruled the scientists' recommendations. No safety tests are required and few have been conducted.
According to Arpad Pusztai, an expert on GM foods, "Seeds of Deception is a major event in informing the public about the safety or (more precisely the lack of it) of genetically modified foods" Pusztai himself had been silenced with threats of a lawsuit after he unexpectedly discovered that rats fed an experimental GM food developed immune system damage and other serious health problems in just ten days. Pusztai later reviewed an industry-sponsored study and found that seven of forty rats fed a GM crop died within two weeks; others developed stomach lesions. The crop was approved without further tests.
September Publication May Influence International Policy
In May, when the U.S. filed a challenge with the World Trade Organization (WTO) disputing Europe's GM food policy, Trade Representative Robert Zoellick stated, "Overwhelming scientific research shows that biotech foods are safe and healthy." According to Andrew Kimbrell, director of the Center for Food Safety, "The evidence in Seeds of Deception refutes U.S. science and safety claims, and undermines the basis of their WTO challenge." The book's September publication coincides with the major WTO meeting in Cancun, Mexico from September 10-14, and will likely benefit from the considerable media attention on the topic.
Kimbrell says, "The book also presents a compelling argument that nations may use to ban GM foods altogether." Countries gain the right to impose such a ban on September 11, three months after the UN biosafety protocol was signed by 50 nations. "The revelations in the book," says Kimbrell, "are being made public at a pivotal time in the global GM debate, and could tip the scales against the biotech industry."
Author Jeffrey Smith has worked in the field of genetically modified foods for nearly a decade-with non-profit and political groups, and at a GMO detection laboratory. He proposed legislation to protect children-who are most at risk from the potential health effects of GM foods-and to protect farmers from genetic drift. Seeds of Deception is published by Yes! Books, and is distributed by Chelsea Green Publishing. The foreword is by Frances Moore Lappé. Orders can be taken at www.seedsofdeception.com or by calling 888-717-7000.
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