April 28, 2004

Over the last decade or so our food sources and the nature of our food has been going through drastic changes that are receiving very little attention in a way that allows us to have input into how we all feel about it. Yet our lack of attention and passive acceptance of a situation we may feel is out of our control can have huge affects on our future health. Genetic engineering has become more of the norm in many communities and a fight has begun which we need to pay attention to. We cannot depend on our usual sources of media to keep us informed. Reading and the internet may be our main ways to stay up to date and show us what we can do to help.

Recently a study showed that the viral promoter used in genetically engineered (GE) crops to "turn on" certain genes has been found in the tissue of test rats. According to Dr. Terje Traavik, the same promoters could switch on any number of viruses that normally lay dormant within human DNA and/or change the activity and structure of chromosomes, creating the potential for inducing cancer and/or metabolic changes.

California is the largest producer and exporter of food in the United States with over 350 crops. All crops grown in California except cotton are currently free from genetic engineering. Monsanto Corporation, a large multinational organization at the forefront of creating genetically modified organisms (GMO), is targeting California farms.

Mendocino County in northern California was the first county in the U.S. to ban genetically engineered crops and animals through a ballot initiative March 2, 2004. Corporate agribusiness and biotech industry spent $700,000 for a massive barrage of misleading information attempting to convince citizens to vote against the proposition. Grassroots farmers and allies spent $100,000. This is an important and precedent-setting victory for farmers and consumers. The biotech industry fear this uprising will spread and have made it clear that they will do their best to stop Mendocino's genetic engineering ban using state legislation or legal action.

A number of groups have gotten together and formed the BioDemocracy Alliance to spread the word and organize to promote education and other bans. They could use our help if you are concerned about GE and GMO's and their future impact on our health. Here are some things you can do:

1. Find out more about how this technology will impact farmers, our environment, our food, and learn how you can stop it by visiting the Organic Consumers Association page about keeping Mendocino County GMO-free, and/or join their BioDemocracy News newsgroup.
2. Let your local, state, federal government and their agencies know how you feel about the use of genetically modified foods.
3. Click here to make a secure donation to the Organic Consumers Association. Or send a check to "OCA/BioDemocracy Alliance" at the national office:

   Organic Consumers Association
   6101 Cliff Estate
   Little Marais, Minnesota 55614

   In many ways, the future is in our hands.