Dear Jonathan,
I came across this interesting news. I am sure this should come as a lesson to all governments which are making budget allocations for research on golden rice. Instead, isn't this a simple and safe route to enhance Vit A intake ? And no company walks away with profits at the cost of malnutrition among the poorest of the poor. Nor does enhancing Vit A availability among vulnerable populations increases budget deficits !
Best regards
Devinder Sharma
Social Marketing of Vitamin A in West Sumatra - Indonesia - Daily consumption of dark green leafy vegetables increased: 19% to 32% among pregnant mothers; 14% to 33% among nursing mothers; 10% to 21% among 5- 12 month olds; 17% to 27% among 13- 60 month olds. http://www.comminit.com/usaidimpact/sld-1931.html
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P A N U P S
Pesticide Action Network Updates Service
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Resource Pointer #261
July 23, 2001
For copies of the following resources, please contact the appropriate publishers or organizations directly.
*Brave New Seeds: The Threat of GM Crops to Farmers* Robert Ali Brac De La Petrriere and Franck Seuret. Comprehensive summary of the political, social and environmental dangers of genetically modified organisms (GMO's). Discusses the imbalance of power between the global North and the global South, with a particular focus on biopiracy. The work reflects the final declaration by participants of the Rishikesh seminar on biodiversity, rights of rural communities and the implications of genetically modified organisms held in India from December 5-10, 1998. Contact Zed Books, 7 Cynthia Street, London N1 9JF, UK; phone 44 (0)207-837-4014; fax 44 (0)207-833-3960; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Web site http://www.zedbooks.demon.co.uk.
*Wine Growing Regions Trial Genetically Modified Wine Grapes - Market Place Will Reject GM Wine* Greenpeace UK. Study reveals that field trials with genetically modified (GM) wine grapes are being conducted in the U.S. as well as France, Australia, Italy and Germany, four other leading wine exporting countries. Finds that leading UK wine retailers do not support the use of GM grapes and will not stock the wine. Also discusses the potential impact of this for California vintners, for whom the UK is the largest market. Explains the threat of contamination that GM wine poses to the growing organic wine market and suggests alternatives to GM vines. Contact Greenpeace, Canonbury Villas, London, N1 2PN; phone (020) 7865-8255; fax (020) 7865-8200; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Web site http://www.greenpeace.org.uk.
*Transgenic Crops: An Environmental Assessment* Henry A. Wallace Center and others. Provides an overview of transgenic crop testing and its environmental effects. Contains valuable statistical information about field testing and compares various countries' field testing regulations. Critiques the "business of biotechnology," particularly in relation to intellectual property rights. Concludes that more regulation and public research of transgenic crops is necessary. Contact the Henry A. Wallace Center for Agricultural and Environmental Policy, Winrock International, 1621 North Kent Street, Suite 1200 Arlington, VA 22209-2134 USA; phone (703)525-9430; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Web site http://www.winrock.org/what/wallace_center.asp.
*The Great Food Gamble: An Assessment of Genetically Modified Food Safety* Emily Diamand. Contains an overview of the science of genetic engineering as well as the consumer response. Critiques current industry accepted methods of establishing food safety, with a focus on substantial equivalence. Discusses the problem of gene commonality among genetically modified (GM) crops. Contains many tables on topics such as common novel proteins in GM crops, reported cases of change in composition in GM foods, and results of tests conducted on GM crops approved for food in the European Union. Also critiques the weak U.S. system of GM food regulation. Contact Friends of the Earth U.K., 26-28 Underwood Street, London N1 7JQ, U.K.; phone (020) 7490-1555; fax (020) 7490-0881; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Web site http://www.foe.co.uk.
*Control Freaks-the GMO Exporters* Greg Muttitt. Focuses on genetically modified (GM) crop exporters Cargill and ADM's control of grain trade, particularly in industrial countries. Examines these corporations' role in the agriculture biotechnology business with regard to soy and maize, the two largest GM cash crops. Examines the agricultural distribution system, and how demand for non-GM crops is much greater than their availability. Reveals the corporations' responses to this demand, their own goals, and discusses the future of the grain trade. Contains detailed appendices explaining concepts such as supply chain economics of segregation and identity preservation. Contact Corporate Watch, 16b Cherwell Street, Oxford OX4 1BG, U.K.; phone 44 (0) 1865-791391; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Web site http://www.corporatewatch.org.uk.
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