For dinner: Genetically altered ‘super chicken’
Super Chicken strutted a step closer to the dinner table Thursday. The government said it will start considering proposals to sell genetically engineered animals as food, a move that could lead to faster-growing fish, cattle that can resist mad cow disease or perhaps heart-healthier eggs laid by a new breed of chickens.
The rules will also apply to drugs and other medical materials from genetically engineered animals, a field with explosive potential.
U.S. supermarkets currently sell no meat from genetically engineered animals. But a Boston-area company called Aqua Bounty Technologies hopes to win approval next year for its faster-growing salmon and make the fish available by 2011. “It tastes just like any other farm-raised salmon,” said vice chairman Elliot Entis, who has sampled it.
Reaction from consumer groups was mixed. They welcomed the government’s decision to regulate genetically altered animals, but they cautioned that crucial details remain to be spelled out. For example, the Food and Drug Administration does not plan to require that all genetically engineered meat, poultry and fish be labeled as such. It would be labeled only if there was a change in the final product, such as low-cholesterol filet mignon.
“They are talking about pigs that are going to have mouse genes in them, and this is not going to be labeled?” said Jean Halloran, director of food policy for Consumers Union. “We are close to speechless on this.” Consumers Union publishes Consumer Reports magazine.
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What would happen if a genetically engineered animal escaped and started reproducing with wild animals of the same species? asked Jaffe. The FDA said it would address that issue.
#13, Ah Yea,
Good post, but totally wrong.
But certainly a virus which could infect a cow, a mouse, or a cow-mouse would find it extremely difficult if not impossible to infect a human.
Can you point out some studies demonstrating this? For example, Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis is strongly believed to infect people. AIDS is believed to originate in African monkeys. Some forms of influenza are known to coexist in animals.
Viruses jumping to the human population is a direct result of the vector animal being in close proximity to humans.
Such as the farmer. Who has a family that attend school and shop in town.
Close human proximity in unsanitary conditions is essential.
Not true. Vectoring has more to do with the proximity of the host and recipient.
Therefore, the chances of a virus jumping from a genetically modified animal to humans is exactly the same as a virus jumping from a non-modified animal to humans.
Can you show us any studies of this? How about a study showing that GM animals are less (or more) capable of carrying specie jumping pathogens?
This highlights the difference between faith and trust. Many of those in favor of not labeling GM foods are taking it on faith that they are safe. The studies are all small and generally address other issues than safety. Those wanting GM labeling also have trust that science will prove or disprove that safety.
Regardless, I still want the choice between eating GM and non-GM food.
#16 The Monster’s Lawyer.
LOL! Sounds like a marketing plan to me!
Now fusion.
We both agree on your conclusion, “Regardless, I still want the choice between eating GM and non-GM food.”
Absolutely, at least give us the chance to choose. I bet most of the world will even eat cow-mouse if it means not starving to death.
Now to the rest. Since I don’t have time to go into remedial biology here, and since it seems apparent that you need a refresher in the fundamentals of viral transmission, may I recommend starting on these two links.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_spread_of_H5N1
Also examine the conditions under which the cross-viral contaminations took place, especially in China and Indonesia.
This will get you started.
#22, Ah Yea,
I think we are quibbling here, … but, what the hell, I’m discussing this with an intelligent person.
Absolutely, at least give us the chance to choose. I bet most of the world will even eat cow-mouse if it means not starving to death.
I just finished a book not too long ago about Germany in the last few months of WWII. Some people were so hungry they were filling flour with sawdust and even eating grass. Most cases of cannibalism are the difference between starvation and life. So yes, people will eat something they otherwise wouldn’t if they don’t have a choice. Starvation does not qualify as a choice.
And I have neither the time nor inclination to take some remedial biology here. The point earlier was that there was no trials or studies demonstrating virus transmission or susceptibility in GM and cloned foods. The actual production in most cases have been to small to support any studies. In short, we just don’t know.
If it’s cheaper so I can save money a bigger house (or two) and a bigger SUV, then sure I’ll eat it.
Yes Fusion, you’ve got a very good point. Starvation doesn’t qualify as having a choice.
Although not an immediate problem in much of the world, but a looming problem in other parts, I wonder if providing sufficient protein will be the impetus to acceptance of hybrid animals?
#13
You don’t think that eating something puts you in close proximity? That’s about as close as it gets.
Let’s suppose that a virus is an agent in mouse liver cells . And some of that mouse DNA gets spliced into a cow. And you eat the cow-mouse. With some viral DNA intertwined with the mouse sequence. Then, in a 1/100,000,000 event, after traversing your liver, that mouse virus DNA mutates and suddenly has an affinity for your DNA. Viruses mutate all the time. That’s a given. Thus, the unintended consequence: suddenly a virus that humans would otherwise never come into contact with has breached the walls. Game over.
Disclaimer: This is an entirely fictional, fabricated account of a remotely possible event that is not currently supported by any studies. It definitely won’t happen…until it does.
Well we could all become Vegetarians, but I don’t want my brain to shrink…
#27 Ah_Yea,
With some of the posters on this blog, how would we be able to tell?
“Regardless, I still want the choice between eating GM and non-GM food.”
You are about a decade late. It is here and it aint goin away.