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Friday, January 27
Most Offspring Died When Mother Rats Ate GM Soy Diet
by
Linda Thieman
on Fri 27 Jan 2006 07:00 AM CST
 Most Offspring Died When Mother Rats Ate GM Soy Diet
By Jeffrey M. Smith, author of Seeds of Deception
The Russian scientist planned a simple experiment to see if eating genetically modified (GM) soy might influence offspring. What she got, however, was an astounding result that may threaten a multi-billion dollar industry.
Irina Ermakova, a leading scientist at the Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), added GM soy flour (5-7 grams) to the diet of female rats. Other females were fed non-GM soy or no soy at all. The experimental diet began two weeks before the rats conceived and continued through pregnancy and nursing.
Ermakova's first surprise came when her pregnant rats started giving birth. Some pups from GM-fed mothers were quite a bit smaller. After 2 weeks, 36% of them weighed less than 20 grams compared to about 6% from the other groups.
But the real shock came when the rats started dying. Within three weeks, 25 of the 45 (55.6%) rats from the GM soy group died compared to only 3 of 33 (9%) from the non-GM soy group and 3 of 44 (6.8%) from the non-soy controls.
Ermakova preserved several major organs from the mother rats and offspring, drew up designs for a detailed organ analysis, created plans to repeat and expand the feeding trial, and promptly ran out of research money. The $70,000 needed was not expected to arrive for a year. Therefore, when she was invited to present her research at a symposium organized by the National Association for Genetic Security, Ermakova wrote 'PRELIMINARY STUDIES' on the top of her paper. She presented it on October 10, 2005 at a session devoted to the risks of GM food.
Her findings are hardly welcome by an industry already steeped in controversy.
GM Soy's Divisive Past
The soy she was testing was Monsanto's Roundup Ready variety. Its DNA has bacterial genes added that allow the soy plant to survive applications of Monsanto's 'Roundup' brand herbicide. About 85% of the soy grown in the US is Roundup Ready. Since soy derivatives, including oil, flour and lecithin, are found in the majority of processed foods sold in the US, many Americans eat ingredients derived from Roundup Ready soy everyday.
The FDA does not require any safety tests on genetically modified foods. If Monsanto or other biotech companies declare their foods safe, the agency has no further questions. The rationale for this hands-off position is a sentence in the FDA's 1992 policy that states, "The agency is not aware of any information showing that foods derived by these new methods differ from other foods in any meaningful or uniform way."[1] The statement, it turns out, was deceptive. Documents made public from a lawsuit years later revealed that the FDA's own experts agreed that GM foods are different and might lead to hard-to-detect allergens, toxins, new diseases or nutritional problems. They had urged their superiors to require long-term safety studies, but were ignored. The person in charge of FDA policy was, conveniently, Monsanto's former attorney (and later their vice president). One FDA microbiologist described the GM food policy as "just a political document" without scientific basis, and warned that industry would "not do the tests that they would normally do" since the FDA didn't require any.[2] He was correct.
There have been less than 20 published, peer-reviewed animal feeding safety studies and no human clinical trials' in spite of the fact that millions of people eat GM soy, corn, cotton, or canola daily. There are no adequate tests on "biochemistry, immunology, tissue pathology, gut function, liver function and kidney function,"[3] and animal feeding studies are too short to adequately test for cancer, reproductive problems, or effects in the next generation. This makes Ermakova's research particularly significant. It's the first of its kind.
Past Studies Show Significant Effects
Other studies on Roundup Ready soy also raise serious questions. Research on the liver, the body's major de-toxifier, showed that rats fed GM soy developed misshapen nuclei and other cellular anomalies.[4] This indicates increased metabolic activity, probably resulting from a major insult to that organ. Rats also showed changes in the pancreas, including a huge drop in the production of a major enzyme (alpha-amylase),[5] which could inhibit digestion. Cooked GM soy contains about twice the amount of soy lectin, which can also block nutrient assimilation.[6] And one study showed that GM soy has 12-14% less isoflavones, which are touted as cancer fighting.[7]
more »
Thursday, January 26
FALLON: Patty Judge Fundraising "Legal, but not Ethical"
by
Linda Thieman
on Thu 26 Jan 2006 05:00 PM CST
 FALLON: Patty Judge Fundraising "Legal, but not Ethical"
Rep. Ed Fallon calls for Clean Elections law in Iowa and warns against the influence of corporate hog confinement operators
State Representative and gubernatorial candidate Ed Fallon
(D-Des Moines) held a press conference at the Capitol this afternoon
(Thursday) to discuss how Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge's
campaign finance disclosure reports show the need for a Clean Elections
Law in Iowa.
"Patty's
report, quite frankly, troubles me quite a bit," Fallon said. "All
across Iowa, family farmers and rural residents are deeply concerned
about the growing power of corporate hog confinement operators. It's
disturbing to see such a large amount of money coming from these groups
to one candidate."
Judge's
2005 campaign contributions included $10,000 from Alina and Peter
DeCoster, another $10,000 from Leah and Sholom Rubashkin of
AgriProcessors, as well as contributions from Syngenta, Monsanto and
Dow Agro Sciences.
"I think
Patty Judge would say these contributions are completely legal, and
they are," Fallon said. "The problem is the rules allow
influence-peddling at a level that most Iowans are only beginning to
become aware of. It's perfectly legal, but is it ethical? I
think not."
Fallon said he will continue to alert the media to his findings in the reports of other candidates in the coming weeks.
"I would
ask the public to be very vigilant about this, and to learn who is
donating to the other candidates," Fallon said. "The influence of big
money in politics affects every other issue, and is really the critical
issue in this campaign."
OH, THAT SHORT TERM MEMORY!
by
Molly Regan
on Thu 26 Jan 2006 02:08 PM CST
 OH, THAT SHORT TERM MEMORY!
From "The Onion"…'SCIENTIST HAS NAGGING FEELING HE LEFT PARTICLE ACCELERATOR ON'
"Chicago - University of Chicago particle physicist Matthew Sharp drove
halfway home before he was struck with the fear that he'd left the
Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System running…'I think I powered it
down after smashing those 9-GeV electrons into 3.1-GeV positrons, but I
don't specifically remember flipping the switch,' Sharp said.
'Not only does a nine million volt electrostatic tandem Van de Graaff
injector accelerator cost a lot to run, it's also a pretty serious fire
hazard.' Sharp almost turned his car around, but didn't, because
the past three times he's gone back to check on the accelerator, he's
found it off."
This from the tongue-in-cheek "The Onion Presents Embedded in America
Volume 16, America's Finest News Source, Complete News Archives" 2005
Published by Three Rivers Press, page 123
Don't forget your local responsibilities…CPR : CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE
Sunday, January 15
COW EXCAPES SLAUGHTER
by
Molly Regan
on Sun 15 Jan 2006 10:15 AM CST
 COW ESCAPES SLAUGHTER
QuadCity Times
GREAT FALLS, Mont. - A spirited cow that jumped a slaughterhouse
gate and evaded capture for six hours may not be doomed after
all. Appeals to spare the life of the 1,200-pound heifer came
from across the nation after she fled Mickey's Packing Plant on
Thursday (January 5th) and had several near-death experiences before
walking into a makeshift pen and then a stock trailer.
"Road and rail traffic nearly hit her; she almost drowned while
crossing the Missouri River and she refused to be stilled by three
tranquilizer darts.
"The manager of Mickey's Packing Plant said the animal he dubbed Molly
B. probably will be spared from the killing floor. Employees
voted 10-1 to keep her alive.
"The manager said the owner is willing to sell Molly B., but wants more than the estimated $1,140 she is worth slaughtered."
This from the QuadCityTimes.
Maybe some force in the universe talked with that cow.
Anyway, don't forget CPR: CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE
Sunday, January 8
IOWA'S MASTER MATRIX REVISTED/JANUARY 2006
by
Molly Regan
on Sun 08 Jan 2006 11:00 AM CST
 IOWA'S MASTER MATRIX REVISITED/ JANUARY 2006
It is about AIR, it is about WATER, and it is about your COMMUNITY.
These are the three areas that the IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL
RESOURCES' MASTER MATRIX concentrates on. Every January for the
past 4 years, the County Board of Supervisors in each IOWA county has
the opportunity to decide whether or not to be part of the Concentrated
Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) permit process.
So, as a bit of homework, call your local Board of Supervisors this
week and, ask them if they are currently part of the process.
Also ask them when the meeting times are this month for public input
regarding their consideration of the MASTER MATRIX. There are 13
counties currently in IOWA that ARE NOT part of the process. If
you live in one of those counties, call your local Board and request
they do so. Better yet, go to one or more of their meetings this
month and tell them it behooves them to get on board.
To find out how your county stands go to www.iowadnr.com
As I have mentioned in several previous articles, I think the Master
Matrix is flawed. (You can do a search on this site for "Master
Matrix"). You can top load the answers to the 44 questions, and pass
with only 50% of them being correct and still be considered for a new
or expanded operation.
You know what HOWARD would say…" WE CAN DO BETTER!"
So please do a little research, and get thee to a meeting.
While on the way, don't forget to CPR…CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE
Tuesday, January 3
IN IOWA, LIGHTENING IN THE SKY, CONFUSION ON THE GROUND
by
Molly Regan
on Tue 03 Jan 2006 01:00 PM CST
 IN IOWA, LIGHTENING IN THE SKY, CONFUSION ON THE GROUND
Yes, folks, it’s that time of year again; the beginning of a new January
with unusual phenomena happening. On Monday morning, January 2nd
at 6AM in Scott County, there was lightening but no thunder. For nearly
20 minutes this went on, then, the thunder could be heard. It was
very bizarre. At first I thought there was a barge going down
river, but they quit running over a month ago.
This type of weather has happened before, and in the winter it usually
is followed by a large amount of snow. We lucked out this time,
though. No snow, just rain and about 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
So what other odd events could be going on? Let’s see what’s happening in the Eastern IOWA/Western Illinois areas.
HOGS, HOGS, HOGS...Sound familiar? The East Moline, IL, City
Council decided on Monday, December 19th to unanimously approve Triumph
Corporation proceeding with the process that would allow them to build
a slaughterhouse ON A WETLAND. There’s no accounting for bad
judgement, is there?
The meeting was once again held at United Township High School and
attended by over 200 people. These concerned citizens took to the
podium to voice their opinions regarding this proposed industry.
One teenager was nearly in tears as she explained what happens to pigs
as they are raised for slaughter and how inhumanely they are treated at
the slaughterhouse itself.
Speaker Art Norris wondered whether the council would be filing
Department of Natural Resource permits. He was told all the
proper procedures ‘would be followed’ by East Moline Mayor John
Thodos. But, the mayor did admit a DNR permit had NOT been
done. Art’s concern is for White Pelicans, Great Blue Herons,
Eagles, Ospreys and other birds that use this wetland area as well as
endangered mussels there. He and his wife are avid outdoor people
and photographers.
Just that same afternoon, Terry Spence had sent me some startling
information. He is with GRACE (Global Resource Action Center For the
Environment) who spoke in Moline & Eldridge on December 3rd about
the terrible reality of slaughterhouses and what they do to communities.
He informed me that Triumph is being sued. They are not even open
for business and they already had a gas leak, fire and explosion that
killed one worker and injured 14 others in October. Eleven of
those injured are suing Triumph and 5 other companies, including the
local gas company for 66 counts of negligence. A valve had been
opened and there had been, according to the lawsuit, no chemical added to
the gas to give it an odor. So the gas ended up being ignited
somehow and an explosion and fire followed. I asked the council and
mayor if this was the type of company, one with no track record and
already getting ready to go to court, to be doing business in this
area. Apparently those attributes are good to go because of the
vote. The mayor asked me if there were any circumstances that
would make this slaughterhouse ok with me to build. I said “NO.”
That was the end of my statement. Until next time. We are
keeping track of what is going to happen next, so stay tuned.
According to the Rock Island, IL, ARGUS newspaper on Wednesday,
December 21st, their headline read “PORK PLANT NOT A DONE DEAL
YET.” According to reporter Jenny Lee, “If certain steps don’t
fall into place, Triumph Foods LLC still could pull out of its deal
with East Moline and build a pork plant somewhere else….(Let’s make it
so!)
“The redevelopment agreement between the city and Triumph requires
aldermen to approve and create a tax-increment finance district,
encompassing the proposed plant site on Barstow Road, on or before Jan.
1, 2007. (That’s one year from now!)
“If aldermen don’t authorize the creation of a TIF district, the
project will not happen, Mayor Thodos said…In a TIF district, taxing
bodies continue to collect existing tax revenue, but any new revenue
created by the development goes into a fund to be used for public
infrastructure or rebates to developers. The project also would
depend on the proposed site’s inclusion in an enterprise zone.
Moline, East Moline, Silvis, Milan and Rock Island County – members of
the zone – each will need to approve including the site in order for
developers to receive benefits.”
The RI Board of Supervisors would also need to vote on whether or not
to pay for widening Barstow Road for the project. The State of
Illinois also would need to offer a package incentive to Triumph, and
if that is not acceptable the deal could be off.
It was also noted in the article that Alderman Carol Doose “…believed opponents exaggerated possible impacts.”
For the entire article go to www.QCOnline.com
Well, we shall see what you think, Ms. Doose, after we make available to
you the book “SLAUGHTERHOUSE’ by GAIL EISNITZ. The truth
about what goes on in slaughterhouses is told here. The inside
cover of the book says in part, “…Along the way we encounter example
after example of mistreated animals…intolerable working conditions…lax
standards…the slow, painful DEATHS OF CHILDREN KILLED AS A RESULT OF
EATING CONTAMINATED MEAT…the author’s battle with the major television
networks…and a dangerously corrupt federal agency that chooses to do
nothing rather than risk the wrath of agribusiness…”
On the back cover of the book is this critique by Peter Singer, author
of “In Defense Of Animals & Animal Liberation”: “ I have just
read “SLAUGHTERHOUSE” at one sitting. It is a
stomach-churning, damning indictment of the meat industry. Gail
Eisnitz has penetrated the veil that hangs over meat production, and
what she has found will shock every reader. Eisnitz is a
brilliant investigator, writes superbly, and has the courage and
persistence of someone who knows that she is right. No longer can
anyone believe that in the United States there is adequate inspection
and control of slaughterhouses. As Eisnitz convincingly shows,
the meat industry is indifferent to animal suffering, exploitative of
its workers, and liable to produce a product that is riddled with
dangerous bacteria.
“Whether you eat meat or not – if you care about humans or animals – this book is a must read.”
Try to order the book, or maybe your local library has it. Or you can visit www.prometheusbooks.com
Don’t forget, it is always a good year to CPR: CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE
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