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Free New Zealand in Food & Environment, 09th
May 2006
1820 Sheep died grazing on the harvested GE cotton land. Even wearing GE
Cotton could cause terrible skin reactions.
The latest studies on GE Cotton farming have raised grave concerns about the
safety of GE cotton which is widely used in food as well as in clothing.
A preliminary report released in late April has found that thousands of
sheep died after grazing on land where GE cotton had been grown. The sheep
and goats started dying after seven days of continuously grazing on tender
leaves and pods of Bt cotton that remaind in the fields after picking.
The incident comes to light just as Food Standards Australia New Zealand
(FSANZ) is considering submissions for approval of GE Cotton seed and oil
for use in animal feed and the human food chain. But there
is concern that the latest research findings may never be considered by the
authorities as the data have been released after the closing date for
submissions, and bcause late submissions are not accepted.
"New findings must be considered fully by the FSANZ as the dire effects
reported in this research could go unheeded. After 10 years, we still have
no diagnostic tools to assess possible reactions to GE food", says Claire
Bleakley of GE Free (NZ) in food and Environment, "GE cotton should be
properly tested on animals and humans for safety, but so far it has not."
In December a three month study was released which found that workers
picking GE cotton suffered severe skin reactions with itching and blistery
eruptions leaving a black skin discolouration which was still apparent after
5 months.
The health of workers must be protected, and also people who buy cotton
garments and products made from cotton, like sanitary towels, must be made
aware of the possible skin irritations that they may experience.
The British Medical Association has already signalled that GE products could
present certain risks, including the creation of drug-resistance in venereal
disease as a result of women being exposed to GE constructs in personal
hygiene products.
"It is important that cotton products are properly labelled if it has been
made from GE cotton fibre" says Ms Bleakley. "Until this happens buyers must
seek assurances as to the source of the cotton, or seek to avoid buying
products made with cotton from India."
Further, GE Cotton crops have failed in regions of India with many suicides
resulting because of the debt accrued from the high cost of growing GE
cotton. This has prompted the Indian Genetic Engineering Approval Committee
(GEAC) to concede after three years of commercial cultivation that
Mahyco-Monsanto's Mech-184 Bt, Mech-162 Bt and Mech-12 Bt are a failure.
These varieties were banned for commercial cultivation in Andhra Pradesh and
Mech-12 Bt was banned for cultivation in the entire south of India.
"The dangers of GE organisms in the food chain and the environment are
becoming apparent. All government agencies and commercial interests must
take these warnings seriously before it is too late", says Ms Bleakley.
ENDS:
Claire Bleakley - (06) 3089842 027 348 6731
Jon Carapiet - 0210 507 681
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