John Myers Jr., Farmers Weekly Coordinator
AS GENETICALLY modified organisms (GMO) become more commonplace, especially in foods for consumption the National Consumers' League (NCL) is intensifying its campaign for the government to order that products be properly labelled.
In commemorating 'World Consumer Rights Day', set for March 15, consumers are being urged to say 'no to GMOs'.
Carlton Stewart, president of the National Consumers' League, said the production of GMOs has become "a big, big problem ... and most people don't know and they don't even want to know about it, but we have seen and been in touch with it and we are really worried."
PUBLIC MUST BE NOTIFIED
Dr. Winston Davidson, a public health specialist and chairman of the medical review committee, agreed that the public must be notified of foods that are genetically modified through proper labelling. "The consumer has the right to know what they are getting, and labelling is an important part of that," he stressed. He said while there have been no real research to establish whether or not there are any dangers in consuming genetically modified foods, "we do know that when you artificially modify different biological forms, whether they be plants or animals, you alter the environmental processes which give rise to different levels of species development so you must have an impact." In the absence of concrete evidence to pinpoint any adverse effects, Dr. Davidson said these foods must have an impact on existing forms within the environment.
"I personally am suspicious of all the vegetables and meats that come (imported) to us," the NCL president asserted. "I believe we are being used as a guinea pig not only in Jamaica, but also in the poorer third world countries." According to him, many of the foods being sold for babies in Jamaica are produced from genetically modified foods.
FIRMER TOMATOES
A genetically modified organism is one whose genetic structure has been changed by introducing another gene to make it more desirable. One of the first foods to be genetically modified is the Flavr Savr Tomato, in which a gene was spliced into the DNA to prevent the breakdown of the tomato's cell walls. This resulted in the tomato becoming firmer with a longer shelf life.
According to Mr. Stewart, foods or organisms can be modified using an antibiotic gene attached to a gene gun and a promoter, and the gene shot into the cells of the organism that is being modified. The other method, he said, involves the use of a viral vector which is modified to prevent it from multiplying and then introduced into the organism.
"The only way to protect ourselves is to say to our government that we, the people of Jamaica, have a right to know what we are eating and we are saying to you, label these products so we can determine whether we want to eat them or not," Mr. Stewart said.
Advocates argue that the production of GMOs reduce production costs due to less dependence on chemical and mechanical needs in planting, maintenance, and harvest. Another benefit, they argue, is significant improvements in the nutritional value of foods. One example is the production the 'Golden Rice' which is enriched with beta carotene and iron.
But Mr. Stewart said genetically modifying foods could be harmful for people who are allergic to certain foods. Furthermore, he said such foods have not been fully tested and the results documented to determine their safety for human beings.
